Brighter Edge Privacy Policy

About this policy

Brighter Edge is the trading name of PPL-BIZ Pty Ltd (ABN 32 648 808 397). In this policy, “we”, “us” and “our” mean Brighter Edge. We are an accounting practice providing tax, BAS, bookkeeping, payroll, corporate secretarial and advisory services to businesses and individuals.

Our clients trust us with some of their most sensitive information. This policy explains what personal information we collect, why we collect it, how we keep it safe and who we may share it with. It also explains how you can access or correct your information and how to make a complaint. We handle personal information in line with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles, the Privacy (Tax File Number) Rule 2015 and our obligations as registered tax practitioners.

What personal information we collect

The information we collect depends on the services we provide to you. It may include:

• your name, address, email address, phone number and date of birth
• tax file numbers and other government identifiers, such as your ABN
• identity documents, such as a driver licence or passport, which we need to verify your identity
• financial information, such as bank statements, income and expense records, investments, loans and tax returns
• information about your business, its owners, directors, shareholders and beneficiaries
• payroll information about you or your employees, such as pay rates, superannuation and leave
• information about your family members or associates where it is relevant to your affairs
• records of our communications with you, including emails, call notes and meeting recordings or transcripts where you have agreed to them

We don’t usually ask for sensitive information, such as health information. Sometimes it is part of the records you give us, for example a medical expense on a bank statement or a medical certificate supporting a tax deduction. We handle that information only for the purpose it was provided.

Where it is practical and lawful, you can deal with us without identifying yourself, for example when making a general enquiry. In most cases we can’t provide our services without knowing who you are.

How we collect it

We collect most personal information directly from you, for example through our onboarding forms, engagement documents, emails, phone calls and meetings. We also collect information from other sources with your authority, such as the Australian Taxation Office, ASIC, your bank or accounting software, your previous accountant and other advisers. If you give us information about someone else, such as an employee or family member, please make sure they know you have shared it with us.

Our website may use basic cookies that it needs to work properly. We don’t currently use analytics or advertising tracking tools on our website. If we start to, we will update this policy.

Why we collect and use it

We collect, hold and use personal information to:

• provide the services you have engaged us for, including preparing and lodging returns, statements and reports
• verify your identity and meet our obligations under anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws
• communicate with you and manage our relationship with you, including billing and payments
• meet our legal, regulatory and professional obligations, including record keeping and quality reviews
• improve our services and, with your consent, send you updates and information we think will be useful

We will only use your information for another purpose if you would reasonably expect it, you agree, or the law requires or allows it.

Tax file numbers

We only collect and use tax file numbers where the law allows, such as when we act as your tax agent. We don’t use your tax file number to identify you for any other purpose and we keep it secure in line with the Privacy (Tax File Number) Rule 2015.

Who we share it with

We only share personal information where it is needed to provide our services, where you agree, or where the law requires or allows it. This may include:

• government agencies, such as the Australian Taxation Office, ASIC and AUSTRAC
• software and cloud service providers we use to deliver our services
• our team members and contractors, including contractors based overseas
• other parties you ask us to deal with, such as your bank, lender, broker, financial planner or lawyer
• our professional advisers, insurers and professional bodies, such as Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and the Institute of Public Accountants for quality reviews

We don’t sell personal information. Under anti-money laundering laws, we may be required to report certain matters to AUSTRAC and the law may prevent us from telling you about it.

Information stored or accessed overseas

Some of our team members work from the Philippines and some of the software and cloud services we use store or process information outside Australia, including in the United States. Other countries may be involved depending on where our service providers host their systems. When we share information overseas, we take reasonable steps to make sure it is protected to a standard consistent with the Australian Privacy Principles, including by choosing reputable providers and requiring our contractors to keep information confidential.

Our use of artificial intelligence

We use secure, business-grade artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support our work, for example with research, drafting and analysing information. AI supports our team’s professional judgement and never replaces it. A qualified person reviews all AI-assisted work before we rely on it. We only use AI tools that keep information confidential and don’t use our clients’ information to train their models. Our use of AI is also explained in our engagement terms.

We don’t use computer programs to make decisions about you that significantly affect your rights or interests without a person being involved. If that changes, we will update this policy to explain the kinds of decisions and information involved.

How we keep it safe

We store personal information electronically using secure cloud-based systems. We protect it with measures such as password management, multi-factor authentication, access limited to those who need it, confidentiality obligations for our team and contractors and clear internal policies on handling client information, including when using AI tools.

We keep personal information for as long as we need it to provide our services and meet our legal obligations. Tax and financial records are generally kept for at least five years and anti-money laundering records for at least seven years. When we no longer need information, we securely delete or destroy it.

If there is a data breach

If a data breach is likely to cause serious harm to anyone, we will notify the people affected and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, as required by the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme. We will also take steps to contain the breach and reduce any harm.

Marketing

We may send you newsletters or information about our services if you have agreed to receive them or would reasonably expect them. Every marketing email includes a simple way to unsubscribe, or you can contact us at any time to opt out.

Accessing and correcting your information

You can ask to see the personal information we hold about you, or ask us to correct it if you think it is inaccurate, out of date or incomplete. Contact us using the details below. We will respond within 30 days. We don’t charge for making a request, though we may charge a reasonable fee to cover the cost of giving you access in some cases. If we refuse a request, we will explain why in writing.

Making a complaint

If you have a concern about how we have handled your personal information, please contact us using the details below. Your complaint will be considered by our Director, Cameron Johnson. We will acknowledge your complaint within five business days and aim to respond within 30 days. If you are not satisfied with our response, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner on 1300 363 992 or at oaic.gov.au.

Contact us

Brighter Edge (PPL-BIZ Pty Ltd)
Office: 12/125 Rooks Road, Nunawading VIC 3131
Post: PO Box 7055, Doncaster East VIC 3109
Phone: 03 7043 7874
Email: cam@brighteredge.com.au

Changes to this policy

We review this policy regularly and may update it from time to time. The latest version will always be available on our website. This policy was last updated on 26 October 2026.