OUR PRIVACY POLICY

Industry Funding Schemes

C/- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)

Effective Date: 1 May 2025

Industry Funding Schemes (“IFS”, “we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and managing personal information responsibly. IFS operates in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), who administers the schemes under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (BAM Act).

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and disclose personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and, where applicable, the Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing Act 2024 (WA).

By accessing our website (www.industryfundingschemes.org), subscribing to our mailing list, submitting a form, or engaging with us in any capacity, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

Further information on privacy in Australia may be obtained by visiting the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.oaic.gov.au.

1. What Personal Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal information:

1.1 Contact Information

  • Full name

  • Email address

  • Phone number

  • Postal or business address

1.2 Producer & Industry Information

  • Agricultural enterprise details (e.g. property name, livestock or crop type)

  • IFS contribution and opt-out information

  • Committee membership application details

  • Survey responses relating to biosecurity priorities

1.3 Website & Digital Information

  • IP address and browser type

  • Cookies and usage analytics data

  • Information submitted via website forms (e.g. newsletter sign-up, survey, expressions of interest)

  • Social media interactions via our Facebook page

2. How We Collect Personal Information

We collect personal information through:

  • Our website contact and subscription forms

  • Survey platforms (e.g. Airtable)

  • Expression of interest and grant applications (e.g. via DPIRD SmartyGrants)

  • Email, phone, or written correspondence

  • Social media interactions

  • Committee or event participation

We may also receive personal information from DPIRD, other government agencies, or third parties where authorised or required by law.

3. Why We Collect Personal Information

We collect and use personal information for purposes including:

3.1 Program & Scheme Administration

  • Managing IFS membership, contributions, and opt-out processes

  • Processing expressions of interest for Industry Management Committee appointments

  • Delivering programs relating to biosecurity pest and disease management

3.2 Communication & Engagement

  • Responding to enquiries

  • Distributing newsletters, communiqués, and scheme updates

  • Informing producers about biosecurity threats, surveys, and industry news

3.3 Research & Biosecurity Planning

  • Gathering producer feedback through surveys to guide investment and program priorities

  • Supporting DPIRD in the identification and management of declared pests and diseases

3.4 Website & Digital Functionality

  • Improving website performance and user experience

  • Tracking website usage via analytics tools (e.g. Metricool, Facebook Pixel)

  • Security monitoring and fraud prevention

3.5 Legal & Compliance

  • Fulfilling obligations under the BAM Act and associated IFS Regulations

  • Meeting requirements under applicable privacy legislation

We will not use your personal information for purposes beyond those listed above without your consent, unless permitted or required by law.

4. Disclosure of Personal Information

We may share your personal information with:

  • DPIRD, as the administering government agency for IFS

  • Industry Management Committee members (in their official capacity)

  • Third-party service providers (e.g. website hosting, email platforms, survey tools, analytics services)

  • Government authorities where required or authorised by law

  • Professional advisors (e.g. legal, financial, or administrative consultants)

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

5. Third-Party Platforms & Tools

Our website and operations make use of third-party platforms including:

  • Squarespace – website hosting and form submission

  • Airtable – survey and data collection

  • SmartyGrants (DPIRD) – expression of interest and grant applications

  • Facebook – social media engagement and advertising (via Meta Pixel)

  • Metricool – social media and website analytics

These platforms may collect data independently in accordance with their own privacy policies. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party tools you interact with.

6. Cookies & Website Tracking

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to:

  • Analyse website traffic and user behaviour

  • Measure the effectiveness of our communications

  • Support advertising and retargeting via Facebook Pixel and Metricool

You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of certain website features.

7. Storage & Security

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. These measures include:

  • Secure cloud-based storage systems aligned with Australian privacy standards

  • Access controls limiting information to authorised personnel

  • Use of reputable third-party platforms with their own security protocols

Some third-party platforms (e.g. analytics or email providers) may store data outside of Australia. Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to ensure compliance with Australian privacy obligations.

8. Access & Correction

You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you, and to request corrections where that information is inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date.

To make a request, please contact us in writing using the details at the end of this document. We may require verification of your identity before providing access.

Access may be provided by way of copies, inspection, or a summary of relevant information. Where charges apply, we will advise you prior to providing access.

We may decline access where:

  • It would pose a threat to the life, health, or safety of any person

  • It would unreasonably impact the privacy of others

  • The request is frivolous or vexatious

  • Access would be unlawful or is required to be refused under law

  • The information relates to existing or anticipated legal proceedings

Where access is declined, we will provide a written explanation for the refusal.

9. Direct Marketing & Mailing List

We may send you updates, communiqués, and newsletters about IFS programs, biosecurity news, and scheme activities if you have subscribed to our mailing list or engaged with us previously.

You may opt out of marketing communications at any time by clicking “unsubscribe” in any email or by contacting us directly. We will action your request promptly.

10. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to external websites including DPIRD, agric.wa.gov.au, and other government or industry resources. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies directly.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legislation, our operations, or the services we provide. Any updates will be published on our website with a revised effective date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal information, please contact us:

Industry Funding Schemes

C/- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Locked Bag 4, Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983

Email: ifs@dpird.wa.gov.au

Website: www.industryfundingschemes.org

This policy should be read in conjunction with DPIRD’s Privacy Statement available at www.dpird.wa.gov.au