Privacy Policy
Photo: David Clode
Effective date: 25 September 2025 (AEST).
Who we are
Bug Hunt is a project run and hosted by the Invasive Species Council. This policy explains how we collect, use, disclose and protect your personal information when you visit bughunt.org.au and when you subscribe to our monthly project updates.
We follow the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
If you have any questions, please contact:
Email: [email protected]
Postal: PO Box 818, Katoomba NSW 2780
Quick Summary
- We collect the information you give us (e.g. your email address when you subscribe) and limited information collected automatically (e.g. device and usage data).
- We use your information to send you monthly updates about Bug Hunt, improve the Website, and run the project.
- We use Mailchimp (an Intuit company) to manage email updates. This may involve transfers of your personal information to servers outside Australia.
- You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails.
- We don’t sell your personal information.
You can ask to access or correct your personal information. - If you have a concern, contact us; you can also complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
For Young Readers
What this means for you
- We only collect your email address (and your name if you want to tell us) when you subscribe to our Bug Hunt updates.
- We use your email to send one email each month about Bug Hunt.
- You (or your parent/guardian) can stop the emails anytime by clicking Unsubscribe at the bottom of our emails.
- We do not sell your information.
- We use a trusted tool called Mailchimp to send emails. Your email might be stored outside Australia, but we take steps to keep it safe.
- If you are under 15, please ask a parent or guardian to help you subscribe.
- Be careful online: don’t share personal information publicly. If you’re unsure, ask a trusted adult.
Need help or have questions? Ask a parent, guardian, teacher – or contact us using the details on this page.
The information we collect
Information you provide to us
- Email address (required to subscribe to monthly updates).
- Name (optional, if you choose to provide it).
- Any preferences you provide about the types of updates you wish to receive (if offered).
Information we collect automatically
When you visit the Website, we may automatically collect:
- Device and usage data (browser type, operating system, pages viewed, time on page).
- Approximate location (derived from IP address).
- Cookies and similar technologies used to make the site work and help us understand how people use it.
We seek to collect only what we need for the project and to improve the site for visitors.
Why we collect your information
We collect and use your personal information to:
- Send monthly project updates you requested by subscribing.
- Administer the subscription list (for example, to manage preferences and unsubscribes).
- Operate, secure and improve the Website (including analytics to understand what content is helpful).
- Comply with Australian law and the APPs.
We rely on your consent to send you email updates and our legitimate project interests to operate and improve the Website and keep it secure.
Email updates and Mailchimp
We use Mailchimp (an Intuit company) to create, send and manage our monthly email updates. When you subscribe:
- Your email address (and any optional name/preferences you provide) are stored in Mailchimp.
- Mailchimp helps us track basic email metrics (such as opens and clicks) so we can improve our content.
International transfers: Mailchimp may process personal information on servers outside Australia (for example, in the United States or other countries). Where we disclose personal information overseas, we take reasonable steps to ensure the recipient will handle it consistently with the APPs (see Cross-border disclosure below).
How to unsubscribe:
Every email we send includes an Unsubscribe link. You can also contact us using the details above and we will remove you from the mailing list.
Cookies and analytics
- We use cookies that are necessary for the Website to function (e.g. security, load balancing).
- We may use cookies and analytics to understand how visitors use the Website so we can improve it.
- You can usually control cookies through your browser settings. If you block cookies, some features may not work as intended.
Children and young people
Bug Hunt is for people of all ages, including families, students and educators.
- If you are under 15, please ask a parent or guardian before subscribing.
- We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without appropriate consent.
- Teachers and group leaders should ensure minors in their care understand not to share personal information publicly online.
When we disclose your information
We may disclose personal information to:
- Service providers who help us run the project and Website (e.g., website hosting, security services, analytics, email delivery via Mailchimp).
- Professional advisers (e.g., legal or IT security advisers) where reasonably necessary.
- Regulators or law enforcement if required by law.
We require our service providers to handle personal information in line with the APPs or equivalent protections and to use it only for the services they provide to us.
We do not sell your personal information.
Cross-border disclosure
Some service providers (such as Mailchimp) may process or store personal information outside Australia. When we disclose personal information overseas, we will take reasonable steps to ensure the recipient handles it in a way that is consistent with the APPs (for example, through contractual commitments and vendor due-diligence).
How we keep information secure
We use reasonable physical, technical and organisational measures to protect personal information from loss, misuse, unauthorised access, alteration or disclosure. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure; however, we strive to protect your information and review our safeguards regularly.
How long we keep information (retention)
We keep personal information only for as long as needed for the purposes set out in this policy or as required by law.
- If you unsubscribe from our mailing list, we will stop sending updates. We may retain limited records (e.g. a suppression record) to honour your unsubscribe request and comply with our legal obligations.
Your choices and rights
You have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you.
- Request corrections if your information is inaccurate or out of date.
- Withdraw consent to receive email updates at any time (use the unsubscribe link or contact us).
- Make a privacy complaint (see below).
To exercise these rights, contact us using the details at the top of this policy. We may need to verify your identity before actioning your request.
Making a privacy complaint
If you have a privacy concern or complaint, please contact us first so we can work with you to resolve it.
If you’re not satisfied with our response, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):
- Website: oaic.gov.au
- Phone: 1300 363 992 (within Australia)
Links to other sites
Our Website may link to other websites (for example, education resources). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. We recommend you read their privacy statements.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes to the project, the Website or the law. The “Effective date” at the top shows when the latest version took effect. Significant changes will be noted on this page.
Contact us
If you have questions about this policy or how we handle personal information, please contact:
Email: [email protected]
Postal: PO Box 818, Katoomba NSW 2780