1. Introduction
DOLOPIA GROUP PTY. LTD., trading as Katsaros & Associates ("we", "us", "our"), is committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, use our services, or communicate with us.
We comply with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and, where applicable, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for clients in the European Union.
2. Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of personal information:
Personal Identification Information
- Full name, date of birth, and nationality
- Contact details (email address, phone number, postal address)
- Passport and travel document details
- Visa and immigration history
- Employment and education history
- Family and relationship information
Sensitive Information
- Health information (where relevant to visa applications)
- Criminal history (where relevant to character assessments)
- Biometric information (as required by the Department of Home Affairs)
Technical Information
- IP address and browser type
- Device information and operating system
- Pages visited and time spent on our website
- Referring website addresses
3. How We Collect Information
We collect personal information through:
- Direct interactions: When you contact us, complete forms, or engage our services
- Website usage: Through cookies and similar tracking technologies
- Third parties: From the Department of Home Affairs, courts, tribunals, and other relevant authorities
- Publicly available sources: Where necessary for your matter
4. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information to:
- Provide legal advice and immigration services
- Prepare and lodge visa applications on your behalf
- Communicate with the Department of Home Affairs and other authorities
- Represent you in tribunals and courts
- Process payments and manage our client relationship
- Comply with our legal and professional obligations
- Improve our website and services
- Send you updates about immigration law changes (with your consent)
5. Disclosure of Information
We may disclose your personal information to:
- The Department of Home Affairs and other government agencies
- The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and courts
- Medical practitioners for health assessments
- Translation and interpretation services
- Our professional advisers (accountants, insurers)
- Third-party service providers who assist in our operations
We will not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.
6. Data Security
We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. Our security measures include:
- Secure, encrypted storage systems
- Password protection and access controls
- Regular security assessments
- Staff training on privacy and data protection
- Secure disposal of personal information when no longer needed
If you have concerns about how your information is being handled, please contact us immediately.
7. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, including to satisfy legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. For legal files, we typically retain records for seven years after the matter is concluded, in accordance with our professional obligations.
8. Your Rights
You have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
- Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal requirements)
- Withdraw consent for marketing communications
- Lodge a complaint about our handling of your personal information
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details below. For information about your legal obligations when using our website, please see our Terms of Service.
9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience and analyse website traffic. You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. However, disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our website.
We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors interact with our website. This information helps us improve our services and user experience.
10. Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including the Department of Home Affairs and other government agencies. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will post any changes on this page and update the "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
12. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to access or correct your personal information, or have a complaint about our handling of your information, please contact us:
13. Complaints
If you are not satisfied with our response to your privacy complaint, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):
- Website: www.oaic.gov.au
- Phone: 1300 363 992
LAST UPDATED: DECEMBER 2024