PRIVACY POLICY

Independent Business Network Inc. (IBNInc)
ABN: 17 071 747 633

Registered Business Names:

  • Independent Business Network Inc. (IBNInc)
  • Designer Chicks Australia

Last Updated: August 2026

Introduction

Independent Business Network Inc. (IBNInc) is an Australian not-for-profit business networking organisation operating under ABN 17 071 747 633.

IBNInc operates its business networking, education, business support and related activities under the legal entity Independent Business Network Inc. and may operate under registered business names, including Designer Chicks Australia.

For the purposes of this Privacy Policy, references to “IBNInc”, “we”, “us” or “our” include Independent Business Network Inc. and its registered business names, including Designer Chicks Australia, where applicable.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, store and protect personal information when you interact with IBNInc, Designer Chicks Australia, our websites, networking groups, events, educational programs, business support services, online platforms, forms and communications.

IBNInc is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in an open, transparent and secure manner.

We aim to comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and, where applicable, other privacy and data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

  1. Contact Details

Independent Business Network Inc.
ABN: 17 071 747 633

IBNInc operates the registered business name:

Designer Chicks Australia

Website: www.independentbusinessnetworkinc.com
Email: julie@independentbusinessnetworkinc.com

Designer Chicks Australia is not a separate legal entity from Independent Business Network Inc. It is a registered business name operated by Independent Business Network Inc. under ABN 17 071 747 633.

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us using the details above.

It is important that the personal information we hold about you is accurate, complete and current. Please notify us if your personal information changes.

  1. Personal Information We Collect

Personal information means information or an opinion about an individual who is identified or reasonably identifiable.

We may collect, use, store and process personal information in connection with IBNInc and/or Designer Chicks Australia, including information collected through membership, networking, events, education, business directories, advertising, online content and other services.

2.1 Communication Information

Communication information includes communications you send to us through:

  • website contact forms;
  • membership or event registration forms;
  • subscriber forms;
  • email;
  • telephone calls;
  • text messages;
  • social media messaging;
  • social media posts;
  • surveys or feedback forms; or
  • any other communication channel.

We may process this information to:

  • communicate with you;
  • respond to enquiries;
  • provide member support;
  • administer IBNInc and Designer Chicks Australia;
  • provide networking, educational and business support services;
  • maintain appropriate records;
  • administer memberships and events; and
  • establish, pursue or defend legal claims where required.

2.2 Customer, Membership and Transaction Information

This may include:

  • your name;
  • business name;
  • position or title;
  • business contact details;
  • billing and postal address;
  • email address;
  • telephone number;
  • membership details;
  • event attendance;
  • purchases and registrations;
  • payment transaction information; and
  • related customer service records.

Where payments are processed through third-party payment providers, such as PayPal, Stripe or another payment gateway, those providers may collect and process payment information under their own privacy policies.

IBNInc does not ordinarily store complete credit card details on its own systems.

2.3 User and Member Information

We may collect information concerning how you interact with our websites, services, membership platforms and online communities.

This may include:

  • account information;
  • login information;
  • website activity;
  • comments and posts;
  • feedback;
  • survey responses;
  • customer support communications;
  • event participation;
  • business directory information;
  • information you choose to publish through our platforms; and
  • other personal information you voluntarily provide.

Where you provide personal information about another individual, you must ensure that you have their authority or consent to provide that information to us, unless disclosure is otherwise authorised or required by law.

2.4 Technical Information

We may collect technical information including:

  • IP address;
  • browser type and version;
  • operating system;
  • device information;
  • time zone settings;
  • referral source;
  • approximate geographical information;
  • website navigation paths;
  • pages viewed;
  • visit duration; and
  • other analytics information.

We may use this information to analyse website usage, improve our websites and services, maintain security, troubleshoot technical issues and improve our marketing and communications.

2.5 Marketing Information

Marketing information may include your preferences concerning:

  • newsletters;
  • networking opportunities;
  • events;
  • educational programs;
  • workshops;
  • promotional communications;
  • competitions or giveaways;
  • business opportunities; and
  • other communications from IBNInc or Designer Chicks Australia.

We may use this information to send relevant communications, invitations and promotional material where permitted by law.

You may unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time.

  1. How We Collect Personal Information

We may collect personal information:

  • directly from you;
  • when you become a member;
  • when you register for an event;
  • when you participate in IBNInc or Designer Chicks Australia activities;
  • when you complete an online form;
  • when you subscribe to communications;
  • when you contact us;
  • when you purchase a product or service;
  • when you interact with our websites;
  • through cookies and analytics technologies;
  • through social media platforms; and
  • from third parties where authorised by you or permitted by law.
  1. Cookies and Analytics

Our websites may use cookies and similar tracking technologies.

Cookies may be used to:

  • remember preferences;
  • maintain website functionality;
  • analyse website traffic;
  • improve website performance;
  • personalise content;
  • measure advertising effectiveness; and
  • support website security.

We may use session, persistent, analytics, performance, functionality and advertising cookies.

You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect some website functionality.

  1. Third-Party Providers and Services

IBNInc may use third-party providers to assist with:

  • website hosting;
  • payment processing;
  • email marketing;
  • customer relationship management;
  • analytics;
  • event management;
  • surveys;
  • advertising;
  • IT services;
  • accounting;
  • administration; and
  • communications.

These providers may include, where applicable:

  • Google Analytics;
  • MailerLite;
  • PayPal;
  • Stripe;
  • Meta/Facebook advertising services; and
  • other technology and service providers used by IBNInc from time to time.

MailerLite

IBNInc may use MailerLite as an email marketing and communications platform.

Where you subscribe to IBNInc or Designer Chicks Australia communications, information such as your name, email address and communication preferences may be transferred to and stored by MailerLite for the purpose of sending and managing communications on our behalf.

MailerLite operates under its own privacy policies and terms. We take reasonable steps to ensure that our service providers handle personal information appropriately and in accordance with applicable privacy obligations.

We do not sell your personal information.

  1. Disclosure of Personal Information

We may disclose personal information to:

  • service providers and contractors;
  • payment processors;
  • email marketing providers;
  • IT and technology providers;
  • professional advisers, including lawyers, accountants, insurers and auditors;
  • government authorities and regulators where required by law;
  • organisations involved in a business restructure, transfer or merger; and
  • other parties where you have provided consent or disclosure is otherwise permitted or required by law.

We only disclose personal information where reasonably necessary and lawful.

  1. International Data Transfers

Some of our service providers may store or process personal information outside Australia.

This may include providers used for email marketing, website hosting, analytics, payment processing or other technology services.

Where personal information is transferred overseas, we take reasonable steps to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place and that the information is handled consistently with applicable privacy obligations.

  1. Marketing Communications

We may send marketing communications where:

  • you have provided consent;
  • you have requested information from us;
  • you have registered for an event or service;
  • you are a member or customer;
  • you have otherwise consented to receive communications; or
  • we are otherwise permitted to do so under applicable law.

You can unsubscribe at any time by:

  • using the unsubscribe link contained in our marketing communications; or
  • contacting us directly.

Unsubscribing from marketing communications will not necessarily stop important administrative, transactional, membership or service-related communications.

We will not provide your personal information to third parties for their own direct marketing purposes without your consent unless otherwise permitted by law.

  1. Data Security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information from:

  • misuse;
  • interference;
  • loss;
  • unauthorised access;
  • modification; and
  • unauthorised disclosure.

These measures may include secure systems, access controls, password protection, software security measures, secure payment services and confidentiality obligations.

However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of information transmitted over the internet.

Where a data breach occurs that triggers obligations under applicable Australian privacy laws, IBNInc will respond in accordance with those requirements, including notifying affected individuals and the relevant regulator where required.

  1. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, including to:

  • provide services;
  • administer memberships;
  • administer events and networking activities;
  • communicate with you;
  • comply with legal, accounting and taxation obligations;
  • resolve disputes;
  • maintain appropriate business records; and
  • establish, exercise or defend legal rights.

Some information may be required to be retained for specific periods under Australian taxation, accounting, corporations, employment or other applicable legislation.

Where personal information is no longer required, we will take reasonable steps to securely destroy, delete or de-identify it.

  1. Your Privacy Rights

Subject to applicable law, you may have rights to:

  • request access to personal information we hold about you;
  • request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information;
  • request deletion of personal information where legally applicable;
  • withdraw consent where processing is based on consent;
  • object to certain uses of your personal information;
  • request restriction of certain processing activities;
  • request data portability where applicable; and
  • make a privacy complaint.

To exercise your privacy rights, please contact us using the details in Section 1.

We may need to verify your identity before providing access to personal information or making changes to protect against unauthorised disclosure.

We aim to respond to legitimate privacy requests within 30 days, subject to any different timeframe required by applicable law.

  1. Privacy Complaints

If you believe that we have mishandled your personal information or have breached applicable privacy obligations, please contact us first so that we can investigate and attempt to resolve your concerns.

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

OAIC website: www.oaic.gov.au

  1. Third-Party Links

Our websites may contain links to third-party websites, applications, plug-ins, social media platforms or other online services.

We do not control those third parties and are not responsible for their privacy practices, security or content.

We recommend that you review the privacy policy of any third-party website or service before providing personal information to it.

  1. Advertising, Affiliates and Social Media

Our websites and communications may include:

  • sponsored content;
  • affiliate links;
  • advertising;
  • social media integrations;
  • third-party advertising services; and
  • tracking technologies.

Where applicable, we will seek to appropriately identify sponsored or affiliate content.

Third-party advertising networks and social media platforms may collect information about your interactions with our websites in accordance with their own privacy policies.

  1. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect:

  • changes in privacy laws;
  • regulatory requirements;
  • changes to our business structure;
  • changes to IBNInc or Designer Chicks Australia;
  • changes to our services;
  • changes to technology; or
  • changes to our information-handling practices.

The updated Privacy Policy will be published on our website and will take effect from the date stated in the updated policy.

We recommend that you periodically review this Privacy Policy to remain informed about how we handle personal information.

  1. Contact Us

Independent Business Network Inc.
ABN: 17 071 747 633

Independent Business Network Inc. operates the registered business name Designer Chicks Australia.

Website: www.independentbusinessnetworkinc.com
Email: julie@independentbusinessnetworkinc.com

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to update your personal information, exercise a privacy right or make a privacy complaint, please contact us using the details above.