Veteran Business Community (VBC) – Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

The Veteran Business Community (VBC) ("we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information in connection with VBC membership, certification, and related services.

2. What Personal Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal information:

• Full name
• Contact details (email address, phone number)
• Business information (including ABN and business structure)
• Information relating to veteran status
• Any other information you voluntarily provide to us

We aim to collect only the minimum amount of personal information necessary to deliver our services.

3. Identity Verification (Important)

As part of the VBC Certification process, we may need to verify your identity to confirm your eligibility.

How identity verification works

Our preferred verification method is through a secure third-party identity verification platform.

You will be asked to upload a valid government-issued identification document (such as a driver licence or passport). During the verification process, VBC reviews the document solely for the purpose of confirming your identity and eligibility.

Once verification has been completed, all sensitive information is permanently redacted. We do not retain unredacted copies of your identification documents.

If you would prefer not to use the third-party verification platform, alternative verification methods are available. Depending on your circumstances, these may include a live Zoom verification, email-based verification, or another suitable process arranged with our team.

What we do NOT retain

• Unredacted copies of your identification documents
• Identification document numbers or other sensitive identity information
• Personal information beyond what is required to confirm your eligibility for certification

What we DO retain

• A record that your identity has been successfully verified
• The date of verification
• The verification method used (e.g. Third-Party Verification, Zoom Verification, Email Verification)

Protecting your privacy is important to us. Our verification process has been designed to minimise the personal information retained by VBC while maintaining the integrity of the certification program. Sensitive information is redacted as part of the verification process, and alternative verification options are available for applicants who prefer not to use the third-party platform.

4. Veteran Status Verification

To confirm eligibility for VBC certification, we may verify your veteran status.

This may include:

• Submission of official documentation proving veteran status,
• Visual confirmation of relevant documentation during a live session; or
• Verification through trusted third-party organisations or references

Where possible, we avoid retaining sensitive documents and instead record the verification outcome only.

5. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information to:

• Assess and process VBC membership and certification applications
• Verify identity and eligibility
• Maintain a register of verified VBC members
• Facilitate connections, opportunities, and services within the VBC ecosystem
• Communicate with you about your membership and relevant opportunities
• Improve our services

6. Disclosure of Personal Information

We may disclose your personal information:

• To service providers who support our operations (e.g. CRM systems, communications platforms)
• To trusted partners involved in verification processes (where applicable)
• Where required or authorised by law

We do not sell your personal information.

7. Data Storage and Security

We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, interference, loss, and unauthorised access. Importantly:

• We do not store copies of identity documents
• We minimise the storage of sensitive personal information
• Access to personal data is restricted to authorised personnel only

8. Access and Correction

You may request access to, or correction of, the personal information we hold about you by contacting us using the details below.

9. Cookies and Website Data

Our website may use cookies and analytics tools to improve user experience and understand website usage. This information is generally anonymised and does not identify individuals.

10. Third-Party Services

We may use third-party platforms (e.g. Zoom, CRM systems) to deliver our services. These providers may handle your information in accordance with their own privacy policies. We encourage you to review their policies where relevant.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on our website.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact us:

13. Consent

By engaging with VBC, applying for certification, or participating in identity verification processes, you consent to the collection and handling of your personal information as described in this Privacy Policy.