This Policy outlines the obligations of OpinionPoint in managing personal information we hold about clients, respondents to research studies and others.
We adhere to the National Privacy Principles (‘NPPs’) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (‘Privacy Act’). The principals of OpinionPoint are also full members of the AMSRS (Australian Market and Social Research Society), and abide by the standards, ethics, and guidelines as defined by the AMSRS.
'Personal Information' refers to information or an opinion relating to an individual, which can be used to identify that individual.
OpinionPoint conducts surveys of staff, suppliers, distributors and customers on behalf of its commercial, government and not-for-profit clients. The information is gathered to assist these organisations in support of their decision-making processes.
The type of personal information OpinionPoint generally collects from individuals directly in the course of a research exercise includes (but is not limited to) - contact details (eg. e-mail addresses, names, phone numbers and addresses), basic demographics (eg. age, sex, occupation, education) and other information relating to an individual’s socio-economic profile, behaviour, needs, attitudes, opinions and motivations.
OpinionPoint may collect and hold information about (among others), research respondents, customers, suppliers, distributors and clients.
OpinionPoint will generally collect personal information by way of forms filled out by people, face-to-face meetings, interviews, business cards, telephone conversations and via our website through the completion of forms and questionnaires. Personal information may also be provided by a client wanting us to conduct customer research using their customer contact list.
OpinionPoint may use and disclose your personal information for the primary purpose for which it is collected and for reasonably expected secondary purposes that are related to the primary purpose and in other circumstances authorised by the Privacy Act. Unless required or authorised by law, the identity of research respondents will not be disclosed to anyone not directly involved with the research project. In general, we may use and disclose your personal information for the following purposes:

to investigate the behaviour, attitudes, opinions or other characteristics of a population; to contact past participants to conduct further, follow-up research; to send respondents rewards and information; to communicate with, or have commercial dealings with you; to help us provide, manage and market our services, and to comply with our legal obligations.

We may disclose your personal information to related businesses or persons who assist us in providing services or who perform functions on our behalf or carry out activities essential to our research activities (including data processing, conducting interviews, and sending respondents rewards and information).
Apart from in the above circumstances, your personal information will generally not be disclosed without your consent.
The NPPs require us to take reasonable steps to protect the security of personal information. OpinionPoint takes steps to protect personal information held from misuse and loss and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.
OpinionPoint also takes reasonable steps to make sure that the personal information it holds is accurate, complete and up-to-date. Where we no longer require your personal information for a permitted purpose under the NPPs, we will take reasonable steps to de-identify or destroy it.
Some personal information that we collect may be 'sensitive information'. Sensitive information includes information relating to a person's racial or ethnic origin, political persuasion, religion, trade union or other professional or trade association membership, sexual preferences, criminal record and health information.
Sensitive information will be used and disclosed only for the purpose for which it was provided or a directly related secondary purpose, unless you agree otherwise, or in certain other limited circumstances (eg. where required by law).
Subject to the exceptions set out in the Privacy Act, you may seek access to personal information that OpinionPoint holds about you, or direct questions that you may have about privacy-related issues, by contacting OpinionPoint's Privacy Officer at our business address and contact numbers as listed on the OpinionPoint website. http://www.opinionpoint.com.au/
Research respondents may ask us to destroy or delete their personal information that we hold, while it remains identifiable.
We will require you to verify your identity and to specify what information you require. A fee may be charged for providing access. We will advise you of the likely cost in advance.
OpinionPoint reserves the right to amend this Policy at any time and for any reason. Amended terms will be posted via the OpinionPoint website as they occur and you are encouraged to check back frequently for updates. This privacy policy was last amended on 10 July 2003.