Privacy Statement and Policy

Respecting your privacy

At Novus Finance Pty Ltd, we respect your personal information and are committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, hold, use and disclose your personal information.

This Policy also includes our credit reporting policy. It explains how we manage personal information collected in connection with a credit application or credit facility (referred to as credit information).

What personal information do we collect and hold?

General information

The types of personal information we collect and hold about you may include:

• Identification details (name, address, email, phone number, date of birth)
• Contact details including social media handles
• Financial details (such as income, assets, liabilities and tax file number where required)
• Any other information reasonably necessary to provide our services

When the law requires us to collect information

We may collect personal information as required or authorised by law, including to verify your identity under Australian Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing laws.

Website and online activity

If you use our website or digital services, we may collect information about your usage to:

• Verify your identity
• Assist you in completing applications
• Improve our services and website functionality

If you begin but do not complete an application, we may contact you using the details you provided to assist you.

We may also collect de-identified data such as IP address or general location to improve system security and performance.

How we collect your personal information

Direct collection

Where possible, we collect personal information directly from you when you:

• Complete forms
• Speak with us by phone
• Communicate via email, SMS or online
• Interact with our website or social media

Collection from third parties

In some cases, we may collect information from third parties where permitted by the Privacy Act 1988, including:

• Lenders and credit providers
• Your employer, accountant or financial adviser
• Referees and guarantors
• Valuers and service providers
• Legal or settlement representatives

What happens if you do not provide information?

If you choose not to provide required personal information, we may be unable to:

• Provide credit assistance
• Recommend suitable loan or finance products
• Verify your identity
• Protect against fraud
• Provide ongoing services

Credit information

We collect credit information as part of providing finance assistance. Sources may include:

• You and co-borrowers
• Guarantors
• Lenders and mortgage insurers
• Credit reporting bodies
• Identity verification agencies
• Our service providers

How we store and protect your information

We store personal information in both electronic and physical formats. We take reasonable steps to protect your information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.

Security measures include:

• Secure document storage
• Restricted system access
• Secure third-party data storage providers
• Staff confidentiality obligations

How we use your personal information

We collect, hold and use your personal information to:

• Provide credit assistance and finance services
• Assess and submit loan or lease applications
• Communicate with lenders and service providers
• Manage your application and ongoing services
• Administer payments
• Respond to enquiries and complaints
• Comply with legal and regulatory obligations

Marketing

We may use your information to inform you about products or services that may be relevant to you.

You can opt out of receiving marketing communications at any time.

We will never sell your personal information.

Who we share your information with

We may share your information with:

• Lenders, lessors and mortgage insurers
• Our aggregator and licence holder
• Valuers and credit reporting bodies
• Professional advisers (accountants, lawyers, etc.)
• Your authorised representatives
• Government or regulatory bodies such as:
  • Australian Securities and Investments Commission
  • Australian Financial Complaints Authority
  • Australian Taxation Office
• Service providers who support our business operations

Some service providers may be located overseas (for example in the Philippines, India or Nepal).

Accessing your information

You may request access to the personal information we hold about you at any time.

We will provide access unless there is a legal reason preventing us from doing so.

Correcting your information

If you believe any information we hold about you is incorrect, incomplete or outdated, please contact us and we will take reasonable steps to correct it.

Anonymity and pseudonyms

Where lawful and practical, you may choose to interact with us anonymously or using a pseudonym. However, in most cases we are required by law to identify our clients.

Government identifiers

We may collect government identifiers such as your tax file number where required by law. We will only use and disclose this information as permitted by law.

Complaints

If you have a complaint about how we handle your personal information, please contact us.

We aim to resolve complaints within 5 business days where possible.

If you are not satisfied, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner:

Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact:

Novus Finance Pty Ltd
Email: office@novusfinance.com.au

Changes to this policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time. The latest version will always be available on our website.