Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to the services offered by BioMelbourne Network Inc. (ABN 30 219 606 495) (BioMelbourne Network, we, us, our) on the Wilam Life Sciences Industry Community platform (platform) at www.wilam.com.

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully before using the platform. Usage of the platform is conditional upon you agreeing to be bound by this Privacy Policy.

  1. Your personal information is important to us

BioMelbourne Network recognises the importance of your privacy, and that you have a right to know if and when your personal information is collected and how it will be used. This Privacy Policy is intended to help us comply with our obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act), including the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). We collect, use, disclose, store and handle your personal information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

Personal information has the meaning set out in the Privacy Act. In general terms, personal information is information (whether fact or opinion) about an identified or reasonably identifiable individual. Some types of information are designated as 'sensitive information' (which can include information about your health) that are subject to additional protections under the Privacy Act.

  1. Collecting information about you

The types of personal information we collect about you will depend on the purpose for which the personal information is collected and may include:

  • if you have requested to receive news about events, your name, mailing or street address, email address and telephone number(s);
  • if you have signed up to use the platform, your name, mailing or street address, email address and telephone number(s); and
  • if you have contacted us to make a complaint, provide feedback, request a call-back or request our services, your name, mailing or street address, email address and telephone number(s).

Generally, we will not collect sensitive information about you. However, in certain circumstances, we may need to collect limited sensitive information. For example, if you disclose details of disabilities, medical condition, or other specific dietary or allergy requirements to us.

We also collect technical information and general analytics, such as web browser type and browsing preferences, Internet service provider, referring/exit pages, and date/time stamps, IP address, time zone, and geolocation data (if applicable) arising from your use of our website.

We collect your personal information directly from you, including when you:

  • use the platform or otherwise access our websites;
  • sign up to receive news and events;
  • enter surveys, competitions, promotions or ask for information or material from us;
  • make inquiries about us, or the platform, or otherwise communicate with us by email, by telephone, in person, via a website or otherwise.

Where it is reasonable and practicable to do so, we will only collect personal information about you from you directly and not from third parties. In limited circumstances, we may collect personal information about you from publicly available sources (such as the Internet) and third parties (such as mutual contacts, or if your organisation enters details on your behalf). We may also collect personal information through third parties such as our service providers, or through promotional and marketing activities.

We also use the following technologies to collect technical information and general analytics:

  • cookies, which are data files placed on your device and often include an anonymous, unique identifier. For more information about cookies and how to disable cookies, visit http://www.allaboutcookies.org;
  • log files, which track actions occurring on the platform; and
  • web beacons, tags and pixels, which are electronic files used to record information about how you browse the platform.

By using the platform, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

  1. Choosing not to disclose your personal information

If you contact us to make a general enquiry, you are not required to identify yourself or provide any personal information. Alternatively, you may also notify us that you wish to deal with us using a pseudonym.

However, if we are unable to collect personal information about you or you use a pseudonym, we may not be able to provide you with the information or assistance you require. For example, we will not have a method to send you the information you have requested without a valid email address or telephone number.

If you do not wish to accept any cookies or other technology, you may set your browser to refuse cookies and disable other technologies. This may mean your user experience is impacted.

  1. Using and disclosing your personal information

We will use your personal information for purposes connected with our business. Some specific purposes for which we will use your personal information include:

  • to provide our products and services to our customers or to receive goods or services from third parties;
  • to enable the proper operation and function of our products and services;
  • to verify your identity (for instance, if you request access to the personal information we hold about you);
  • to provide you with a service you have requested;
  • to implement our terms of service, protect the rights, property or personal safety of another user, any member of the public or BioMelbourne Network, or if our assets and operations are transferred to another party as a going concern; and
  • to communicate with you, such as to provide you information and event updates, which you have requested, or to address and issues or complaints you may have.

We may sometimes share your personal information with third parties, such as our service partners, related companies and professional advisers, in connection with the purposes described above. If we disclose your personal information to such third parties, we will use reasonable commercial efforts to ensure they only use your personal information as reasonably required for the purpose of disclosure and in a manner consistent with applicable laws. For example, by including privacy and confidentiality provisions in our agreements with a service provider to which we will disclose your personal information. Other than as described in this paragraph, we will not otherwise disclose your personal information without your consent.

We will not sell any personal information that you submit through the platform to any third party direct marketing, mail houses or similar.

Technical information and general analytics are used for the purpose of gauging visitor traffic, trends and delivering personalised content to you while you are on the platform, and to improve the platform and our products and services.

  1. When we communicate with you

We may contact you via email or other address which you provide to us in order to provide you with updated information about the platform, contact you in relation to your membership, events or provide you with other information about our services. If you do not wish to receive this, please email us at info@wilam.com.

We will only send you direct marketing communications (either by mail, SMS or email), including offers any news and exclusive offers, promotions or events, where you have consented to do so.

You may opt-out of receiving direct marketing communications at any time by contacting us or by using opt-out facilities provided in the direct marketing communications.

  1. The information we keep about you

We will retain your personal information for the period necessary for the purposes for which it was collected (as outlined in this Privacy Policy). We may retain it for longer if required by law or if reasonably necessary for us to comply with our legal obligations, resolve a dispute or maintain security.

When your personal information is no longer required, we will take reasonable steps to delete your personal information from our systems or de-identify your personal information.

If at any time you want to know exactly what personal information we hold about you, you can access your record by contacting us at info@wilam.com and we will provide access to that information in accordance with the Privacy Act, subject to any exemptions that may apply. We may charge an administration fee in limited circumstances (such as if we are required to do so).

If you believe that your personal information is incorrect, incomplete or inaccurate, you can email us at info@wilam.com and request we amend it. If you wish to have your personal information deleted, we will take all reasonable and legal steps to delete it or de-identify it.

  1. Storage and security of your personal information

We store your personal information in paper-based files and/or other electronic record keeping methods in secure databases. Personal information may be collected in paper-based documents and converted to electronic form for use or storage (with the original paper-based documents either archived or securely destroyed). We may combine or link personal information we hold about you with other personal information held about you from third party sources.

Your personal information may be stored through third party service providers located in the USA. We may disclose your personal information to overseas recipients, such as to our affiliates and service providers, in order to obtain their products and services, and to obtain services connected to our business.

Except where an exception applies under the Privacy Act or other relevant legislation, we will take commercially reasonable steps to ensure that overseas recipients to whom we disclose personal information do not breach the APPs in relation to such information.

We will endeavour to take all reasonable steps to keep your personal information secure and protected from misuse, loss, theft and unauthorised access, modification and disclosure. As the internet is inherently insecure, we cannot guarantee security of transmission of the personal information you disclose to us online. Accordingly, you transmit your personal information to us online at your own risk. Please notify us immediately if you become aware of any breach of security, for example if there is any unauthorised use of your account by any other Internet user.

For the purposes of viewing the platform you will have a user name and password. You are responsible for the security and confidentiality of your password and log-in information.

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, we exclude all liability (including in negligence) for the consequences of any unauthorised access to, or modification, disclosure, misuse, loss or corruption of, any personal information. Nothing in this Privacy Policy restricts, excludes or modifies or purports to restrict, exclude or modify any statutory consumer rights under any applicable law, including the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), or any liability which cannot be excluded due to the operation of applicable laws.

  1. Exemptions and inconsistency with law

Where local laws allow for an exemption to compliance with certain legal obligations (for example, the employee records exemption), we may rely on such an exemption.

  1. Future changes

Our commitment to being a leading Industry Development and Promotions Agency for the Victorian Biotechnology Industry means that our business will continue to evolve as the Victorian Biotechnology Industry matures. Because of this, we reserve the right to review this Privacy Policy from time to time at our discretion. Amendments to this Privacy Policy will be posted on the platform. The amended Privacy Policy will apply if you continue to use the platform or otherwise continue dealings with us, whether or not you have indicated acceptance of any change.

If you have any queries or concerns about the manner in which your personal information has been collected or handled, or have further queries regarding this Privacy Policy, please do not hesitate to email your questions to info@wilam.com.

Last updated: 28 October 2022