Privacy Policy

Association of Australasian Diesel Specialists Inc. (AADS)
Last Updated: October 2025

1. Purpose of this Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how the Association of Australasian Diesel Specialists Inc. (“AADS”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) collects, uses, discloses, and protects personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). We are committed to protecting the privacy of our members, partners, event participants, and other stakeholders.

2. What Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal information: 
– Name, address, telephone number, and email address 
– Membership details and business information 
– Dietary or accessibility requirements (for events) 
– Payment details (note: credit card details are not stored) 
– Communication preferences and correspondence 
We may also collect limited sensitive information (e.g. dietary needs or medical information relevant to an event) where you provide it voluntarily. 

3. How We Collect Information

We collect personal information directly from you when you: 
– Apply for or renew membership 
– Register for events or conferences 
– Communicate with us via email, phone, or our website 
– Complete surveys or provide feedback 
We may also receive information from third parties (e.g. event organisers or partners) with your consent.

4. How We Use Your Information

Your information is used only for purposes directly related to our functions, including: 
– Managing your membership and event registrations 
– Providing information, newsletters, and updates 
– Processing payments and issuing invoices 
– Coordinating event logistics (e.g. catering or accommodation requests) 
– Responding to enquiries or feedback 
We will not use your personal information for any other purpose without your consent. 

5. Disclosure to Third Parties

We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information. 
We may disclose information only when necessary for: 
– Event coordination (e.g. passing dietary requirements to caterers) 
– Payment processing or accommodation bookings 
– Compliance with Australian law 
Any third parties engaged by AADS are required to handle information in accordance with this Policy and the APPs. 
If data is ever stored or processed overseas (for example, by cloud service providers), we will take reasonable steps to ensure it is protected by privacy standards equivalent to those in Australia. 

6. Data Security

All personal information is securely stored on password-protected systems, encrypted where applicable, and protected from unauthorised access by a managed firewall. No personal data is stored on our public website.

7. Access and Correction

You may request access to, or correction of, your personal information at any time by contacting us at aads@aads.com.au. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe and may require verification of your identity before releasing information.

8. Data Retention and Destruction

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfil the purpose for which it was collected or as required by law. When no longer needed, information is securely destroyed or permanently de-identified.

9. Direct Marketing and Membership Lists

AADS may, from time to time, provide members’ names and business contact details to other members or sponsors — but only if you have expressly consented (e.g. by ticking a box on a registration form). You can withdraw this consent at any time by contacting us.

10. Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website may use cookies or analytics tools to improve your online experience. These do not personally identify you. You can disable cookies in your browser settings if preferred.

11. Making a Privacy Complaint

If you believe we have breached your privacy or mishandled your personal information, please contact us at aads@aads.com.au or by phone at +61 2 9431 8685. We will investigate and respond promptly. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au or on 1300 363 992.

12. Updates to This Policy

This Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in law or our practices. The most recent version will always be available on our website.