Privacy Policy

1. Who this policy applies to

This policy explains how The Overwhelmed Parent Co. (TOPC) handles personal information provided through our website and related services.

2. What we may collect

Depending on how you use TOPC, we may collect information such as your name, email address, suburb or local area, business and listing details, messages you send us, nominations, competition or Care Package entries, listing-update requests, subscription requests and information connected with community recommendations.

For business listings, some information you provide is intended to be public, such as a business name, service area, description, website or social link and listing image.

Please don't send sensitive personal information, identity documents or confidential material through our general website forms unless we specifically ask for it.

3. How we collect information

We mainly collect information directly from you when you submit a form, contact us, nominate a business, apply for or manage a listing, enter a TOPC initiative, or use a community feature.

We may also receive business information from public sources or from someone nominating a business. If a listing can be claimed, the business may ask us to correct or update it.

4. Why we use it

We use personal information where reasonably needed to operate TOPC, including to:

• respond to enquiries and requests;
• create, review, update and manage business listings;
• administer nominations, Care Package entries and other community features;
• manage community recommendations and help prevent duplicate or abusive activity;
• send service-related communications, such as listing or Premium availability messages;
• maintain, secure and improve the website; and
• meet legal, accounting or administrative requirements.

Submitting a form does not automatically sign you up for marketing emails. If we introduce marketing emails or a newsletter, we will provide a separate way to opt in.

Care Package Monthly Draw privacy: If you enter a TOPC Care Package Monthly Draw, we use the information submitted in the entry form to check eligibility, administer the draw, contact the selected recipient and arrange delivery of the $150 prize. We do not publish entry details or share them with listed businesses, sponsors or the community. We may otherwise disclose information where reasonably necessary to operate the draw through a service provider, where you have asked or authorised us to, or where required or permitted by law.

5. Community recommendations

If you recommend a listed business, the public directory may show the recommendation as part of an overall count or similar community signal. We do not intend to publicly display your personal contact details with that recommendation.

We may retain limited information behind the scenes where reasonably needed to protect the integrity of the recommendation system, such as preventing duplicate or abusive recommendations.

6. Where information is stored and who may handle it

TOPC uses third-party service providers to operate parts of the website. Website form submissions are currently processed using Netlify Forms. Service providers may process or store information on systems located outside Australia, and the locations can depend on the provider's infrastructure and services.

We only share personal information where reasonably necessary to operate the service, where you ask or authorise us to, or where disclosure is required or permitted by law. We do not sell personal information.

7. How long we keep information

We aim to keep personal information only for as long as it is reasonably needed for the purpose it was collected, for legitimate administrative or record-keeping needs, or as required by law. We may periodically delete or de-identify information that is no longer needed.

8. Website data, cookies and analytics

Our website and hosting providers may process basic technical information needed to deliver, protect and troubleshoot the site, such as IP address, browser or device information and request logs.

If we add non-essential analytics, advertising or similar tracking technologies in future, we will update this policy and provide any notices or choices that are required.

9. Accessing or correcting your information

You can ask what personal information we hold about you, or ask us to correct information that is inaccurate or out of date. Businesses can also use our Update Your Details form for listing changes.

For privacy requests, use our Contact Us form and choose the closest available enquiry type. Please include enough information for us to identify the relevant record or request.

10. Privacy concerns or complaints

If you have a privacy concern or believe your information has been handled incorrectly, please use our Contact Us form. We will review the issue and respond within a reasonable time.

If the Australian Privacy Act applies to the matter and you are not satisfied with our response, you may also be able to contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

11. Changes to this policy

TOPC will update this policy when our information-handling practices or services materially change. The date at the top will show when it was last updated.