Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra (MCCI)

Last updated: February 2026

Our commitment to your privacy

Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra (MCCI) is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly.

We collect, use, store and disclose personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect and manage your personal information when you access our services, visit our website, participate in our programs or otherwise interact with us.

What information we collect

Depending on the services you use or your relationship with MCCI, we may collect:

• Personal information such as your name, address, phone number, email address and date of birth.
• Information about your interactions with MCCI, including enquiries, service history and feedback.
• Employment or volunteer information where applicable.
• Financial information where required for payments or funding purposes.
• Information collected through our website, including cookies and website analytics.

Where necessary and with your consent (or where authorised by law), we may also collect sensitive information, including:

• Cultural or ethnic background.
• Language preferences.
• Health or disability information.
• Religious affiliation where relevant to service delivery.
• Other information required to provide appropriate support.

We only collect information that is reasonably necessary for our services and business operations.

How we collect your information

We may collect personal information when you:

• Contact us by phone, email or in person.
• Complete application, registration or referral forms.
• Access our services or programs.
• Apply for employment or volunteer positions.
• Attend events or training.
• Visit our website.
• Participate in surveys or research projects.
• Communicate with us through social media or other digital channels.

Where practical, you may choose to remain anonymous or use a pseudonym when making general enquiries.

Why we collect your information

We collect personal information to:

• Deliver services and support.
• Respond to enquiries and requests.
• Manage referrals and client records.
• Communicate with clients, staff, volunteers and stakeholders.
• Recruit and manage employees and volunteers.
• Meet funding, legal and regulatory requirements.
• Improve our services.
• Conduct approved research (with consent where required).

How we use and disclose your information

We generally use your personal information only for the purpose for which it was collected.

We may disclose information to:

• Service providers who assist us in delivering services.
• Government agencies where required for funded programs.
• Contractors or professional advisers working on our behalf.
• Other organisations involved in supporting your care or services, with your consent.
• Law enforcement or regulatory authorities where required or authorised by law.

Where we engage third parties, we take reasonable steps to ensure they protect your information and comply with privacy obligations.

MCCI does not sell personal information to third parties.

Direct marketing

We will only send marketing or promotional information where permitted by law.

You may opt out of receiving marketing communications from us at any time.

Overseas disclosure

MCCI does not generally disclose personal information to organisations outside Australia.

Where overseas disclosure is necessary, it will only occur in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles.

Protecting your information

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification and disclosure.

These measures include:

• Secure electronic systems.
• Password-protected databases.
• Access controls.
• Secure document storage.
• Staff training on privacy and confidentiality.
• Secure disposal of records when no longer required.

Accessing and correcting your information

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

You may also request that inaccurate, incomplete or outdated information be corrected.

Requests should be made in writing to the CEO. In some circumstances, access may be refused where permitted under the Privacy Act.

A reasonable administrative fee may apply for providing copies of records.

Research

From time to time, MCCI may invite clients, staff, volunteers or stakeholders to participate in research.

Participation is voluntary. Individuals will:

• receive information about the purpose of the research
• choose whether to participate
• be able to withdraw at any time
• be informed how their information will be used.

Where possible, research findings will not identify individual participants.

Website information

Our website may use cookies and analytics tools to help us understand how visitors use the site and improve our online services.

Cookies do not generally identify individual users. You can manage cookies through your web browser settings.

Making a privacy complaint

If you believe your privacy has been breached, please contact us so we can investigate and respond.

Chief Executive Officer
Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra

Email: info@mcci.org.au
Phone: 1800 11 6224

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

More information

Further information about privacy rights is available from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au.