Buyer Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy applies to buyers who submit offers through the Companion Pro platform. Companion Pro is a digital platform used by real estate agents and agencies to collect and manage property offers. By submitting an offer, you acknowledge that you have read this policy and agree to the collection and use of your personal information as described below.

Companion Pro is committed to handling your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles.

2. What Information We Collect

When you submit a property offer through this platform, we collect the following personal information:

• Full legal name(s) of all buyers
• Preferred name(s)
• Phone number(s) and email address(es)
• Residential address(es)
• Offer price and payment conditions
• Finance and deposit details
• Details of any property you currently own and may need to sell
• Any special conditions you have included with your offer
• Your rating of the service provided by the agent (if provided)

3. Why We Collect This Information

Your personal information is collected for the following purposes:

• To submit and communicate your property offer to the listing agent and their agency
• To enable the agent to contact you regarding your offer and any negotiations
• To facilitate the offer negotiation, contract preparation, and settlement process
• To match you to other properties the agent or agency may currently have for sale or coming to market that may be relevant to your property search
• To keep you informed of other properties that have come to market, are under offer, or have been sold, where this is reasonably related to your intention to purchase property
• To maintain records of offer activity as required for compliance and professional obligations

4. Who We Share Your Information With

Your personal information may be shared with the following parties:

• The real estate agent and agency managing the listing you are submitting an offer on
• The vendor (property seller), where required as part of the offer or contract process
• The solicitors or conveyancers acting for the vendor, where required to facilitate the preparation or execution of a contract of sale
• Third-party service providers that the agent, agency, or Companion Pro relies on to facilitate the administration of your offer, including database and technology providers — these providers are required to handle your information confidentially and only for the purposes for which it was shared

We do not sell your personal information to third parties and do not share it for any purpose unrelated to the administration of your offer or your ongoing property search.

5. Data Storage and Security

Your offer information is stored securely in an encrypted database hosted in Australia. We use industry-standard security practices including encrypted connections and access controls to protect your data from unauthorised access, disclosure, or misuse. While we take all reasonable steps to protect your information, no method of electronic storage is completely secure and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

Your personal information and offer details will be retained for as long as is reasonably necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this policy, or as required by applicable law. In practice, offer records are generally retained for a minimum of seven years to comply with real estate industry record-keeping obligations. You may request deletion of your personal information at any time by contacting your agent or agency directly, subject to any legal or regulatory obligations that require us to retain certain records.

7. Your Rights

Under the Australian Privacy Principles, you have the right to:

• Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of any personal information that is inaccurate, out of date, or incomplete
• Request that your personal information be deleted, subject to any legal obligations to retain it
• Make a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been breached

To exercise any of these rights, please contact your agent or agency directly.

8. Non-Binding Nature of Offers

Please be aware that offers submitted through this platform are not legally binding contracts. An offer only becomes legally binding when a formal written contract of sale has been signed by all parties. The collection and use of your information under this policy applies regardless of whether your offer results in a formal contract.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. The version published on this page at the time you submit your offer is the version that applies to that submission. We encourage you to review this policy each time you submit an offer.

10. Contact and Complaints

For any privacy-related enquiries, requests to access or correct your information, or complaints regarding the handling of your personal information, please contact your agent or agency directly.

If you are not satisfied with the response from the agent or agency, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au.