Clinton Education Pty Ltd (trading as Clinton English Melbourne, ) is committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 1991 (ESOS Act). This policy explains how we collect, use, store, and disclose your personal information.
1. Collection of Personal Information
1.1 What We Collect
We collect personal information necessary to provide English language education services and to comply with Australian government regulations for overseas students. The types of information we may collect include:
- Full name, date of birth, gender, and nationality
- Contact details: address, email address, and phone number
- Passport number, visa status, and visa grant number
- Education history and English language proficiency level
- Emergency contact information
- Academic records and course progress information
- Health information (where relevant to learning support)
- Payment and fee information
- Website usage data (IP address, pages visited, enquiry form submissions)
1.2 How We Collect It
Personal information is collected directly from you when you:
- Submit an enquiry through our website or by phone/email
- Complete an enrolment application form
- Register for a course (onshore or offshore)
- Attend our campus and complete intake forms
- Communicate with our staff via email, phone, or in person
We may also collect information from third parties such as education agents, the Department of Home Affairs (via the Provider Registration and International Students Management System — PRISMS), and previous education providers where relevant.
1.3 Mandatory and Voluntary Information
| Information Type | Mandatory | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Full name, DOB, nationality, passport | Yes — required for enrolment and CoE | Identity verification, visa compliance, PRISMS reporting |
| Visa status and visa grant number | Yes — required under ESOS Act | Confirm enrolment eligibility, government reporting |
| Contact address and phone number | Yes — required for CoE | Academic communication, emergency contact |
| USI (Unique Student Identifier) | Yes — required under national VET guidelines | Training records, government reporting |
| Health / learning support needs | Voluntary | Provide appropriate learning support |
| Marketing consent | Voluntary | Send newsletters, promotions, event information |
2. Use and Disclosure of Your Information
2.1 How We Use Your Information
Your personal information is used solely for the following purposes:
- Processing your enrolment and issuing a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
- Delivering English language education services
- Monitoring student progress and issuing academic records
- Communicating with you about your course and enrolment
- Complying with Australian laws and regulatory requirements
- Reporting to government agencies (Department of Home Affairs, DESE/TESQ)
- Processing fee payments and refunds
- Inviting you to complete student surveys (internal or third-party)
2.2 When We Disclose Your Information
We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We may disclose your information to the following entities, only as required or permitted by law:
| Recipient | Purpose | Legal Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Home Affairs | Visa compliance, entry/departure reporting | ESOS Act 2000, Migration Act 1958 |
| DESE / TESQ (PRISMS) | CoE registration, student enrolment reporting | ESOS Act 2000 |
| Education agents (if applicable) | Enrolment facilitation and student support | With your written consent |
| Overseas authorities / embassies | Visa processing assistance | With your written consent |
| Law enforcement / courts | Legal obligations, subpoenas, warrants | Required by law |
| Accrediting / examining bodies (e.g. Cambridge, IELTS) | Exam registration and certification | With your written consent |
2.3 Overseas Disclosures
Clinton English may disclose your personal information to overseas recipients if you are studying offshore or through an offshore partner arrangement. In such cases, we will take reasonable steps to ensure the recipient does not breach the Australian Privacy Principles. If you do not wish for your information to be disclosed overseas, please notify us in writing.
3. Data Security and Retention
3.1 How We Protect Your Data
We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification, and disclosure. These measures include:
- Secure electronic storage with password protection and access controls
- Staff access limited to authorised personnel on a need-to-know basis
- Secure disposal of physical documents containing personal information
- Regular review of data access permissions
- Encrypted communication channels for sensitive data transmission
- Staff training on privacy obligations and data handling
3.2 Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy, and as required by law. Student records (including enrolment, academic progress, and completion records) are retained for a minimum period consistent with Australian government requirements. After this period, records are securely destroyed or de-identified.
4. Your Rights — Access and Correction
Under the Australian Privacy Principles, you have the right to:
- Access your personal information held by us (subject to certain exceptions)
- Correct inaccurate, out-of-date, or incomplete personal information
- Request deletion of your personal information (where feasible and not required to be retained by law)
- Withdraw consent for marketing communications at any time (we will action this promptly)
- Lodge a complaint if you believe we have breached your privacy rights
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details below. We will respond to your request within a reasonable period (generally within 30 days). For access requests, we may require you to verify your identity before proceeding.
5. Website and Cookies
Our website may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to improve user experience and analyse site usage. Cookies are small text files stored on your device. You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings.
We may also collect non-personally identifiable information such as IP address, browser type, pages visited, and referring URL through our website analytics. This data is used to understand how visitors use our site and to improve our services.
6. Marketing Communications
If you have opted in to receive marketing communications from Clinton English, we may send you newsletters, promotional materials, event invitations, and course information via email. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any marketing email or by contacting us directly. We do not share your email address with third-party marketers without your consent.
7. Complaints and Contact
7.1 How to Contact Us
Clinton English Melbourne
Company: Clinton Education Pty Ltd
Address: Level 3, 377 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: (03) 9670 9292
Email: ceadmin@clintonenglish.vic.edu.au
CRICOS Provider: 03895J
7.2 Complaints Process
If you have a privacy concern or wish to make a complaint about how we have handled your personal information, please contact us in writing. We will investigate your complaint and respond within 30 days.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):
- Website: www.oaic.gov.au
- Phone: 1300 363 992
- Email: privacy@oaic.gov.au
8. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal obligations. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Significant changes will be communicated to enrolled students via email.
Last Updated: July 2026