1About ClearLedger
Who we are and what we do
ClearLedger is Australia's most practical financial knowledge platform for people starting and running small businesses. We provide free guides, calculators, templates, and expert bookkeeping services to make financial clarity accessible to everyone.
Our Contact Details
Business Name: ClearLedger
Website: clearledger.com.au
Email: [email protected]
Location: Australia
This Privacy Policy applies to all personal information collected through our website, email communications, newsletters, tools and calculators, contact forms, and any services we provide.
2Information We Collect
The types of personal information we gather
We collect personal information that you provide directly to us and information that is automatically collected when you use our website. The information we collect includes:
Personal Information You Provide
| Type of Information | Examples | Collection Method |
|---|---|---|
| Contact Information | Name, email address, phone number, business name | Contact forms, newsletter signup, service inquiries |
| Business Information | Business structure, ABN, industry, annual turnover | Calculator tools, consultation requests |
| Financial Information | Transaction data, GST turnover (when using our services) | Bookkeeping service engagements |
| Communication Data | Email correspondence, feedback, support requests | Direct communications with us |
| Marketing Preferences | Newsletter subscriptions, content interests | Newsletter signup forms |
Information Automatically Collected
- Technical Information: IP address, browser type and version, device type, operating system, time zone setting
- Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, links clicked, navigation paths, referring website addresses
- Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address (city/state level, not precise location)
- Cookie Data: Information collected through cookies and similar tracking technologies (see our Cookies section)
💡 Information We Don't Collect
We do NOT collect:
- Sensitive information (health data, racial/ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs) unless explicitly required for services and with your consent
- Credit card information (payments are processed through secure third-party payment processors)
- Government identifiers (Tax File Numbers, Medicare numbers) unless legally required and with your explicit consent
- Precise geolocation tracking
3How We Use Your Information
The purposes for which we process your data
We use your personal information for the following purposes, in compliance with the Australian Privacy Principles:
🎯 Primary Purposes
- Provide Services: Deliver the bookkeeping, accounting, and advisory services you request
- Respond to Inquiries: Answer your questions, provide support, and respond to contact form submissions
- Newsletter Communications: Send you our newsletter with guides, tips, and resources (only if you've subscribed)
- Tool Functionality: Enable our calculators and interactive tools to work properly
- Service Improvement: Analyze usage patterns to improve our website, content, and services
Secondary Purposes (With Your Consent or Where Permitted)
- Marketing Communications: Send you information about our services, resources, and updates (you can opt-out anytime)
- Personalization: Customize content and recommendations based on your interests
- Analytics: Understand how visitors use our website to create better content
- Compliance: Meet our legal obligations, including record-keeping requirements for bookkeeping services
- Security: Protect against fraud, unauthorized access, and other security threats
Legal Basis for Processing
We process your personal information based on:
- Consent: You have given us permission (e.g., newsletter signup, cookie acceptance)
- Contract: Processing is necessary to provide services you've requested
- Legal Obligation: We must process your information to comply with Australian laws (e.g., tax regulations for bookkeeping services)
- Legitimate Interests: Processing is necessary for our legitimate business interests (e.g., improving our services, preventing fraud) and doesn't override your privacy rights
4Information Disclosure
When and with whom we share your information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:
Service Providers & Partners
| Category | Purpose | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud Hosting | Website hosting and data storage | AWS, Google Cloud, hosting providers |
| Email Services | Newsletter delivery and communications | Mailchimp, SendGrid, email service providers |
| Analytics Providers | Website traffic analysis and insights | Google Analytics, similar tools |
| Payment Processors | Secure payment processing (for paid services) | Stripe, PayPal, bank payment gateways |
| Professional Services | Legal, accounting, and IT support | Lawyers, accountants, IT consultants |
🔒 Third-Party Protections
All third-party service providers we work with:
- Are contractually required to protect your personal information
- Can only use your data for the specific purposes we authorize
- Must comply with Australian privacy laws and equivalent standards
- Are selected based on their security and privacy practices
Other Disclosure Circumstances
- Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or government authority
- Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of business assets (with notice to you)
- Protection of Rights: To protect our legal rights, prevent fraud, or ensure safety
- With Your Consent: When you explicitly authorize us to share your information
Overseas Disclosure
Some of our service providers (e.g., cloud hosting, email marketing tools) may store data on servers located overseas, including in the United States and European Union. These providers comply with privacy standards equivalent to Australian Privacy Principles. We take reasonable steps to ensure your information remains protected when stored or processed overseas.
5Data Security
How we protect your information
We take the security of your personal information seriously and implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect it from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.
🛡️ Security Measures We Implement
- Encryption: HTTPS/SSL encryption for all data transmitted between your browser and our servers
- Access Controls: Restricted access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
- Secure Storage: Data stored on secure, regularly backed-up servers with industry-standard protections
- Authentication: Strong password requirements and multi-factor authentication where available
- Regular Updates: Software and security patches applied promptly to protect against vulnerabilities
- Employee Training: Staff trained on privacy obligations and data handling procedures
- Monitoring: Regular security audits and monitoring for suspicious activity
Data Retention
We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.
| Type of Data | Retention Period | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Contact Form Inquiries | 2 years from last contact | Customer service and follow-up |
| Newsletter Subscribers | Until you unsubscribe | Ongoing communications |
| Bookkeeping Records | 7 years minimum | Australian tax and legal requirements |
| Website Analytics | 26 months | Usage analysis and improvements |
| Security Logs | 12 months | Security monitoring and incident response |
Data Breach Notification
In the unlikely event of a data breach that is likely to result in serious harm, we will notify affected individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) as required under the Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) scheme, typically within 72 hours of becoming aware of the breach.
6Your Privacy Rights
How you can control your personal information
Under Australian privacy law, you have specific rights regarding your personal information. We're committed to helping you exercise these rights.
✅ Your Rights Include:
- Right to Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
- Right to Correction: Request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information
- Right to Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal retention requirements)
- Right to Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time
- Right to Complain: Lodge a complaint about our handling of your personal information
- Right to Data Portability: Request your data in a portable format (where technically feasible)
How to Exercise Your Rights
📧 Making a Request
To exercise any of your privacy rights, please contact us:
- Email: [email protected]
- Subject Line: Include "Privacy Rights Request" in your email
- Information Needed: Provide your name, email address, and specific request details
Response Time: We will respond to your request within 30 days. If we need more time, we'll let you know and explain why.
Verification: To protect your privacy, we may need to verify your identity before fulfilling your request.
No Fees: We do not charge a fee for most requests. However, we may charge a reasonable fee for excessive, repetitive, or clearly unfounded requests.
Unsubscribing from Communications
- Email Newsletter: Click the "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of any newsletter email
- Marketing Emails: Click "Unsubscribe" or reply with "UNSUBSCRIBE"
- Service Communications: Some communications (e.g., service updates, important notices) cannot be opted out of while you're using our services
Making a Complaint
If you believe we've mishandled your personal information:
- Contact us first: Email [email protected] with details of your concern
- We'll investigate: We'll acknowledge your complaint within 7 days and investigate thoroughly
- You'll receive a response: We'll provide a written response within 30 days
- External complaint: If unsatisfied, you can lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):
- Website: www.oaic.gov.au
- Phone: 1300 363 992
- Email: [email protected]
8Third-Party Services & Links
External services and websites we work with
Our website may contain links to third-party websites, plugins, and applications. We also use third-party services to enhance our offerings.
🔗 Third-Party Services We Use
- Google Analytics: Website traffic analysis and reporting
- Email Marketing Platforms: Newsletter delivery and email campaigns (e.g., Mailchimp)
- Social Media Widgets: Share buttons and social media integrations
- Payment Processors: Secure payment handling for paid services
- Xero Integration: For clients using our bookkeeping services
- Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): Faster website performance
Important Information
⚠️ Third-Party Privacy Policies
We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites or services. When you click on external links or use third-party services:
- You leave our website and are subject to the third party's privacy policy
- We recommend reading their privacy policies before providing personal information
- Different terms and conditions may apply
Embedded Content
Our website may include embedded content from other websites (e.g., YouTube videos, social media posts). This embedded content may:
- Collect data about you
- Use cookies
- Track your interaction with the embedded content
- Monitor your interaction if you have an account with that service and are logged in
Social Media
When you interact with our social media pages or share our content on social media, your activity is governed by the privacy policies of those platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, etc.).
9Children's Privacy
Protecting minors online
ClearLedger's services and website are designed for adults (18 years and older) who are starting or running businesses. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18 years of age.
🧒 Our Commitment
- We do not knowingly target, market to, or collect data from individuals under 18
- Our website content and services are business-focused and intended for adult audiences
- If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 18, we will delete it promptly
For Parents and Guardians
If you believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at [email protected]. We will take steps to delete the information as soon as possible.
10Changes to This Privacy Policy
How we update our privacy practices
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors.
How We Notify You of Changes
- Website Update: The updated policy will be posted on this page with a new "Last Updated" date
- Material Changes: For significant changes that affect how we use your information, we will:
- Send an email notification to registered users
- Display a prominent notice on our website
- Provide at least 30 days' notice before the changes take effect
- Minor Updates: Administrative changes or clarifications will be updated immediately without notification
Your Continued Use
By continuing to use our website or services after changes to this Privacy Policy take effect, you acknowledge and accept the updated policy. If you disagree with the changes, please stop using our services and contact us to close your account or request data deletion.
Version History
| Version | Date | Summary of Changes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 31 October 2025 | Initial Privacy Policy published |
11Contact Us
Get in touch about your privacy
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, we're here to help.
📬 Privacy Contact Information
For privacy-related inquiries:
- Email: [email protected]
- Subject Line: Include "Privacy Inquiry" or "Privacy Rights Request"
- Response Time: We aim to respond within 5 business days
General Contact Information
ClearLedger
Website: clearledger.com.au
General Email: [email protected]
Australian Privacy Resources
For more information about privacy in Australia:
| Organization | Purpose | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) | Privacy complaints and guidance |
Website: www.oaic.gov.au Phone: 1300 363 992 |
| Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) | Privacy law framework | View the APPs |