Essential Star
  • Home
  • Courses
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
Home Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Last updated: 15 November 2024

Essential Star Programming Courses ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website study-essentialstar.com and use our services.

By accessing or using our services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access or use our services.

Information We Collect

Personal Information

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us, including but not limited to:

  • Name and contact information (email address, phone number, postal address)
  • Educational background and programming experience
  • Course preferences and learning goals
  • Payment information for course enrolments
  • Resume and portfolio information for career services
  • Communications with our support team

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain information, including:

  • IP address and browser type
  • Operating system and device information
  • Pages visited and time spent on our website
  • Referring website and search terms used
  • Cookies and similar tracking technologies

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for various purposes, including:

  • Provide Services: To deliver our programming courses and educational services
  • Communication: To respond to your enquiries and provide customer support
  • Course Management: To enrol you in courses and track your progress
  • Payment Processing: To process payments and manage billing
  • Career Services: To provide job placement assistance and career guidance
  • Marketing: To send newsletters and promotional materials (with your consent)
  • Website Improvement: To analyse usage patterns and improve our services
  • Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws and regulations

Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our business, including:

  • Payment processors (Stripe, PayPal)
  • Email service providers (Mailchimp, SendGrid)
  • Web hosting and cloud storage providers
  • Analytics services (Google Analytics)
  • Customer support platforms

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to:

  • Court orders or legal proceedings
  • Government investigations or regulatory requirements
  • Protection of our rights, property, or safety
  • Prevention of fraud or illegal activities

Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity, subject to appropriate safeguards.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our website. For detailed information about our cookie practices, please refer to our Cookie Policy.

Types of Cookies We Use

  • Essential Cookies: Necessary for website functionality
  • Analytics Cookies: Help us understand website usage
  • Marketing Cookies: Used for personalised advertising (with consent)
  • Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

  • SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
  • Secure server infrastructure and firewalls
  • Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
  • Access controls and authentication systems
  • Employee training on data protection practices
  • Incident response and breach notification procedures

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law. Specifically:

  • Student Records: Maintained for 7 years after course completion
  • Financial Records: Retained for 7 years as required by Australian tax law
  • Marketing Communications: Until you unsubscribe or request deletion
  • Website Analytics: Anonymised data retained for 26 months
  • Support Communications: Retained for 3 years for quality assurance

Your Privacy Rights

Under Australian Privacy Law and applicable international regulations, you have certain rights regarding your personal information:

Access and Correction

  • Request access to your personal information
  • Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
  • Receive a copy of your data in a structured format

Deletion and Restriction

  • Request deletion of your personal information
  • Request restriction of processing activities
  • Object to certain types of data processing

Marketing Communications

  • Opt-out of marketing emails at any time
  • Withdraw consent for marketing communications
  • Update your communication preferences

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided below. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately, and we will take steps to remove such information.

For students aged 16-18, we require parental consent before enrolling in our courses and collecting personal information.

International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than Australia, including the United States and European Union, where our service providers are located. We ensure that such transfers are subject to appropriate safeguards, including:

  • Standard contractual clauses approved by relevant authorities
  • Adequacy decisions recognising appropriate data protection levels
  • Certification schemes and codes of conduct
  • Your explicit consent where required

Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach that is likely to result in a risk to your rights and freedoms, we will:

  • Notify the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner within 72 hours
  • Inform affected individuals without undue delay
  • Provide clear information about the nature and consequences of the breach
  • Outline measures taken to address the breach and prevent future incidents

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. When we make changes, we will:

  • Update the "Last updated" date at the top of this policy
  • Notify you by email if the changes are material
  • Post a notice on our website homepage
  • Obtain your consent where required by law

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Email

[email protected]

Phone

+61 2 9876 5432

Postal Address

Privacy Officer
Essential Star Programming Courses
Level 12, 680 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

We are committed to resolving any privacy concerns promptly and fairly. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au.

ABN: 12 345 678 901

Registered Office: Level 12, 680 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

Essential Star

Australia's premier programming education provider. Empowering the next generation of developers.

Courses

  • Python Fundamentals
  • Web Development
  • Data Structures
  • All Courses

Company

  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Pricing

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Cookie Policy

© 2024 Essential Star Programming Courses. All rights reserved. ABN: 12 345 678 901