HBWN Privacy Policy

Hastings Business Women’s Network (HBWN)
Last updated: May 2026


1. About this Policy

Hastings Business Women’s Network (HBWN, “we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and managing your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

This policy explains how we collect, use, store and disclose your personal information, and your rights in relation to that information.

2. What is Personal Information?

“Personal information” has the meaning given in the Privacy Act and generally means information or an opinion about an identified individual or an individual who is reasonably identifiable.

3. What Personal Information We Collect

We may collect and hold the following types of personal information:

  • name

  • postal or street address

  • telephone number(s)

  • email address

  • date of birth

  • occupation and business details

  • professional profiles and biographies

  • membership details

  • transaction details (including payment information)

  • information provided through surveys, events or promotions

  • communication records with us

  • information about your interests in our services and events

We may also collect limited technical information when you interact with our website (see Section 6).

4. How We Collect Personal Information

We collect personal information directly from you when you:

  • apply for or hold HBWN membership

  • attend events or register for programs

  • purchase goods or services

  • participate in promotions, surveys or mentoring programs

  • contact or interact with us

  • use our website or online forms

We may also collect information from third parties where permitted by law (e.g. event platforms or referral partners).

5. Why We Collect, Use and Disclose Personal Information

We collect, hold, use and disclose personal information for purposes including:

  • providing membership services and benefits

  • managing events, programs and communications

  • processing payments and transactions

  • marketing and promoting HBWN activities (where permitted or with your consent)

  • improving our services, website and member experience

  • internal administration, planning and research

  • complying with legal and regulatory obligations

We will only use or disclose your personal information for the primary purpose for which it was collected, or a related purpose you would reasonably expect, unless otherwise required or permitted by law.

6. Cookies and Website Data

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to:

  • analyse website traffic and usage

  • improve functionality and user experience

These technologies may collect technical and usage data and, in some cases, may be linked to personal information. You can manage or disable cookies via your browser settings.

7. Disclosure of Personal Information

We may disclose personal information to:

  • service providers and contractors (e.g. IT, payment processors, event platforms, marketing services)

  • professional advisers (e.g. accountants, legal advisers)

  • regulatory or government authorities where required by law

We take reasonable steps to ensure that third parties handle personal information securely and in accordance with Australian privacy law. We do not sell personal information.

8. Overseas Disclosure

Some of our service providers may be located overseas (for example, cloud or IT service providers in countries such as Australia, the United States or others). Where we disclose personal information overseas, we:

  • take reasonable steps to ensure recipients handle information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles

  • remain accountable for how your information is handled

9. Direct Marketing

We may send you marketing communications about HBWN events, programs and opportunities where:

  • you have consented, or

  • it is otherwise permitted by law

You can opt out at any time by using the unsubscribe link or contacting us.


10. Anonymity and Pseudonymity

Where practicable, you may interact with HBWN anonymously or using a pseudonym. However, in many cases (such as membership or event registration), we may require your identity.

11. Data Security

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.

These steps may include:

  • secure electronic systems and storage

  • access controls

  • secure payment processing

  • staff confidentiality obligations

However, no transmission over the internet is completely secure, and information is provided at your own risk.

12. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy or as required by law. When no longer required, we take reasonable steps to destroy or de-identify personal information.

13. Notifiable Data Breaches

In the event of a data breach that is likely to result in serious harm, HBWN will comply with the Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) scheme, including:

  • notifying affected individuals

  • notifying the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), where required

14. Access and Correction

You may request access to the personal information we hold about you and request corrections if it is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date.

Requests can be made by contacting us (see Section 16). We will respond within a reasonable time and in accordance with legal requirements.

15. Complaints

If you believe we have breached the Privacy Act or mishandled your personal information, you may lodge a complaint with us. We will:

  • acknowledge your complaint

  • investigate the issue

  • respond within a reasonable timeframe

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

16. Contact Us

For access requests, corrections, complaints or questions:

HBWN President - [email protected]
Hastings Business Women’s Network
PO Box 5458, Port Macquarie NSW 2444

17. Automated Decision-Making

HBWN does not currently use automated decision-making or profiling that significantly affects individuals. If this changes, this policy will be updated.

18. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in law or our practices. The latest version will always be available on our website.

19. Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. HBWN is not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites, and we encourage you to review their policies.