Privacy Policy

The Wombat™ ("we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you use our website and services.

1. About Us

The Wombat™ is operated by SUG Labs International Ltd. We are an Australian home services marketplace that connects homeowners with qualified local tradespeople and service providers across Australia.

• Website: thewombat.co
• Contact: hi@thewombat.co

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

When you request quotes or use our services, we may collect:

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, and property address
• Project Details: Information about your home improvement project, including service type, scope of work, budget, and timeline
• Property Information: Property type, size, and relevant characteristics
• Communication Records: Messages and correspondence with us or our suppliers

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we automatically collect:

• Device Information: Browser type, operating system, and device type
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, and navigation paths
• Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address
• Cookies and Tracking: Information collected through cookies and similar technologies

2.3 Sensitive Information

We do not generally collect sensitive information (such as health information, religious beliefs, or criminal records). If we ever need to collect sensitive information, we will obtain your explicit consent first.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information to:

• Connect You with Suppliers: Match you with qualified local tradies and service providers
• Provide Quotes: Facilitate the quote request and comparison process
• Communicate: Send service updates, confirmations, and respond to enquiries
• Improve Our Services: Analyse usage patterns and enhance user experience
• Marketing: Send promotional content (with your consent)
• Legal Compliance: Meet our legal and regulatory obligations

4. How We Share Your Information

4.1 With Service Providers (Suppliers)

When you request quotes, we share your contact and project information with up to three qualified suppliers in your area. This enables them to contact you and provide quotes for your project.

4.2 With Third-Party Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third parties who assist us in:

• Website hosting and maintenance
• Email delivery and communication services
• Analytics and performance monitoring
• Payment processing (for supplier transactions)
• Customer support services

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government request, or to protect our rights, property, or safety.

4.4 Overseas Disclosure

Some of our third-party service providers may store or process your personal information overseas, including in the United States. These providers include:

• Cloud hosting and infrastructure services
• Email delivery platforms
• Analytics services

Before disclosing personal information to overseas recipients, we take reasonable steps to ensure they comply with the Australian Privacy Principles or are subject to substantially similar privacy laws. By using our services, you consent to the disclosure of your personal information to overseas recipients.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Understand how you use our website
• Provide personalised content and recommendations
• Measure the effectiveness of our marketing

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect website functionality.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information, including:

• Encryption of data in transit (SSL/TLS)
• Secure cloud infrastructure with access controls
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Staff training on data protection

While we take reasonable steps to protect your information, no internet transmission is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of data transmitted online.

7. Direct Marketing

We may use your personal information to send you marketing communications about our services, special offers, and home improvement tips. You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by:

• Clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any marketing email
• Emailing us at hi@thewombat.co with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line

Please note that even if you opt out of marketing, we may still send you service-related communications (such as quote confirmations and supplier introductions).

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy. Quote request data is typically retained for up to 3 years to facilitate follow-up services and improve our matching algorithms.

9. Your Rights Under Australian Privacy Law

Under the Australian Privacy Principles, you have the right to:

• Access: Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated information
• Anonymity: Where practicable, you may deal with us without identifying yourself (though this may limit the services we can provide)
• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time
• Complaint: Lodge a complaint about our handling of your personal information

To exercise these rights, contact us at hi@thewombat.co. We will respond to access and correction requests within 30 days.

10. Complaints

If you believe we have breached your privacy or mishandled your personal information, you can lodge a complaint with us:

1. Contact us first: Email hi@thewombat.co with details of your complaint
2. We will investigate: We will acknowledge your complaint within 7 days and provide a response within 30 days
3. External complaint: If you are not satisfied with our response, you can lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au or by calling 1300 363 992

11. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including supplier websites and government resources. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.

12. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

14. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

• Email: hi@thewombat.co
• Website: thewombat.co

15. Australian Privacy Principles

We comply with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). For more information about privacy in Australia, visit the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.