1. Introduction

Harcourts Packham (we, us, our) is committed to protecting your personal information and handling it in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and where applicable, the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth) (AML/CTF Act).

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose and protect your personal information, including information used to verify your identity.

This Privacy Policy applies to all clients, customers, vendors, purchasers, landlords, tenants, applicants, guarantors, beneficial owners, authorised representatives, website users and other individuals who interact with Harcourts Packham in connection with our services.

A current version of this Policy is always available on our websites:

• www.harcourtspackham.com.au

• www.packham.property

By accessing our websites or engaging our services, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

 

2. What Personal Information We Collect

We may collect personal information directly from you or from third parties where authorised or required by law.

The personal information we collect may include:

• Full name

• Date and place of birth

• Residential, postal or business address

• Email address and phone number

• Government-issued identification details, such as driver’s licence, passport, Medicare card or other identification documents

• Copies of identification documents

• Biometric information, such as a facial image or short video used to verify your identity

• Information relating to beneficial ownership and control of companies, trusts or other entities

• Information relating to the source of funds, source of wealth, or purpose of a transaction where required by law

• Employment and financial information where relevant to a transaction or tenancy application

• Information about properties, transactions and services we provide to you

• Information you provide when completing forms, making enquiries, requesting appraisals, booking inspections, submitting rental applications or using our websites

• Information about your interactions with our websites, including pages visited, searches conducted and properties viewed

• Technical information such as IP address, browser type, operating system and referring URLs

• Any other information you choose to provide to us

 

We may also collect information from:

• Vendors, purchasers, landlords, tenants and applicants

• Referees and employers

• Conveyancers, solicitors and mortgage brokers

• Government agencies and public records

• Identity verification and AML/CTF compliance providers

• Property management platforms and tenancy databases

• Other parties involved in a transaction

 

We only collect personal information that is reasonably necessary to carry out our business activities and comply with our legal obligations.

 

3. Why We Collect Your Personal Information

We collect, use and disclose your personal information to:

• Verify your identity

• Provide and manage real estate, property management, accommodation and related services

• Process sales, purchases, leasing and property management transactions

• Communicate with you regarding our services

• Respond to enquiries and provide customer support

• Meet our legal and regulatory obligations, including AML/CTF requirements

• Conduct customer due diligence and risk assessments

• Detect and prevent fraud, financial crime and unauthorised activities

• Improve our services and websites

• Personalise your experience with our services

• Protect the security and integrity of our systems

 

4. Identity Verification and Government Data Matching (DVS)

To verify your identity, we may use electronic identity verification services, including the Australian Government’s Document Verification Service (DVS).

Where you have consented, your name, date of birth and identity document details may be securely sent to the relevant Commonwealth or State authority that issued your document. This may include passport offices, driver licence authorities, the Department of Home Affairs, Births, Deaths and Marriages, or other authorised record holders.

These authorities check whether the details you have provided match the records they hold.

We do not receive copies of government records. The authority returns a match result only, confirming whether the information matches.

This process may be carried out through authorised identity verification and AML/CTF compliance providers and their service providers.

 

5. Biometric Information

As part of identity verification, we may collect biometric information, such as a facial image or short video.

Biometric information may be used to:

• Confirm that you are a real person and physically present

• Match your image to the photograph on your identification document

• Reduce the risk of fraud and identity theft

• Meet AML/CTF and identity verification requirements

Biometric information is considered sensitive information under the Privacy Act. We only collect and use this information for identity verification and compliance purposes and only with your consent.

 

6. Consent to Collection and Identity Verification

By providing your personal information and participating in identity verification processes, you consent to:

• The collection, use and disclosure of your personal information for identity verification, AML/CTF compliance and related purposes

• The collection and use of biometric information for identity verification

• Your information being checked against records held by Commonwealth and State authorities through the DVS

• Your information being shared with authorised identity verification and AML/CTF compliance providers and their service providers

• The use of electronic verification, sanctions screening and customer due diligence systems where required by law

If you choose not to provide the information requested, we may be unable to provide services, establish or continue a business relationship, process a transaction or comply with our legal obligations.

 

7. Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF)

As a real estate agency, Harcourts Packham is subject to obligations under the AML/CTF Act and associated Rules.

To comply with these obligations, we may collect, verify, hold, use and disclose personal information relating to clients, customers, vendors, purchasers, landlords, tenants, beneficial owners, authorised representatives and other relevant parties.

We may conduct:

• Customer identification procedures

• Customer due diligence

• Ongoing monitoring of business relationships and transactions

• Politically Exposed Person (PEP) screening

• Sanctions screening

• Source of funds and source of wealth enquiries where required

• Risk assessments and ongoing compliance monitoring

We may disclose personal information to:

• AUSTRAC

• Law enforcement agencies

• Government and regulatory authorities

• Identity verification and AML/CTF compliance providers

• Professional advisers assisting with compliance obligations

We may be legally required to retain identity verification, due diligence and transaction records for periods prescribed by law, including after our business relationship with you has ended.

 

8. Disclosure of Personal Information

We may disclose your personal information to:

• Identity verification and AML/CTF compliance providers and their authorised service providers

• Commonwealth and State authorities through the DVS

• AUSTRAC and other regulatory bodies

• Our employees, contractors and authorised representatives

• Affiliated companies and franchise partners

• Conveyancers, solicitors, mortgage brokers, valuers, settlement agents and other parties involved in property transactions

• Property management service providers, tenancy databases, maintenance contractors, utility connection providers and rental application platforms where necessary to provide our services

• Customer relationship management systems, property management software providers, real estate portals, marketing platforms and technology providers used in the operation of our business

• Professional advisers such as lawyers, accountants, auditors and insurers

• Law enforcement agencies and government authorities where required or authorised by law

• Third parties involved in a merger, acquisition or sale of business assets

We do not sell your personal information.

 

9. Overseas Disclosure

Some of our technology and service providers may store or process personal information outside Australia.

Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to ensure your information is protected in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles.

 

10. Data Security and Storage

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

These measures include:

• Secure electronic systems

• Access controls and user permissions

• Encryption where appropriate

• Staff training and confidentiality obligations

• Secure storage and disposal procedures

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this Policy or as required by law. When information is no longer required, it is securely destroyed or de-identified.

 

11. Cookies and Website Analytics

Our websites may use cookies, web beacons and similar technologies to enhance user experience and collect information about website usage.

These technologies may collect information such as:

• IP address

• Browser type

• Device information

• Pages visited

• Referring websites

You may disable cookies through your browser settings, although this may affect website functionality.

 

12. Access and Correction

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

In some circumstances, we may refuse access where permitted by law. If this occurs, we will provide reasons for the refusal where required.

Requests should be made using the contact details below.

 

13. Direct Marketing

We may use your contact details to provide information about services, properties, market updates, industry updates and promotions that may be of interest to you.

You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by using the unsubscribe link in our communications or by contacting us directly.

 

14. Privacy Complaints

If you believe we have breached your privacy, please contact us using the details below.

We will investigate your complaint and respond within a reasonable timeframe.

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

Website: www.oaic.gov.au

Phone: 1300 363 992

 

15. Contact Details

Business Name: Harcourts Packham

Privacy Contact: General Manager

Email: hello@packhamre.com.au

Phone: (08) 8377 2636

Address: 762 Anzac Highway, Glenelg SA 5045

 

16. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our business practices, technology, legal requirements or regulatory obligations.

The latest version will always be available on our websites. Where significant changes are made, we will take reasonable steps to notify affected individuals.

 

Last Updated: June 2026.