Privacy Policy

Gold Standard Tax & Accounting
Last updated: 9 July 2026

Gold Standard Tax & Accounting is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information entrusted to us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, hold, use and disclose personal information when you visit our website, contact us, use our client portal or engage us to provide tax and accounting services. In this policy, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Gold Standard Tax & Accounting.

 

1. Personal information we collect

 

  • The personal information we collect depends on your interaction with us and the services you request. It may include:
  • your name, date of birth and contact details;
  • residential, postal and previous addresses;
  • your Tax File Number and Australian Business Number;
  • identification documents;
  • employment and business information;
  • income, deduction and financial records;
  • bank account details;
  • information about investments, cryptocurrency, rental properties and capital gains;
  • information concerning your spouse, dependants or related entities;
  • residency, visa and citizenship information;
  • private health insurance, Medicare, Centrelink, superannuation and student loan information;
  • correspondence, documents and information uploaded through our client portal;
  • records of telephone calls, appointments, emails and enquiries; and
  • information reasonably necessary to provide the services you request.

 

We only seek to collect personal information that is reasonably necessary for our business activities and the services we provide.

 

2. How we collect personal information

 

We may collect personal information:

  • directly from you;
  • through website contact forms, questionnaires and organisers;
  • through our secure client portal;
  • by email, telephone, video call or in person;
  • from documents and records you provide;
  • from your authorised representatives;
  • from your employer, bank, financial adviser, bookkeeper or other professional adviser where authorised;
  • from the Australian Taxation Office and other government agencies where permitted;
  • from The Accounting Academy or an authorised supervising tax agent;
  • from Xero, TaxDome and other software platforms used to provide our services; and
  • from publicly available sources where appropriate.

 

Where practical, we will collect personal information directly from you.

 

3. Why we collect and use personal information

 

We may collect, hold and use personal information to:

  • respond to enquiries;
  • assess your service requirements;
  • prepare quotations and engagement documents;
  • verify your identity;
  • provide tax, accounting and related professional services;
  • prepare and lodge tax returns, activity statements and other forms;
  • communicate with the Australian Taxation Office and other authorities;
  • obtain supervisory review and approval where required;
  • administer our client relationship;
  • issue invoices and process payments;
  • maintain professional, regulatory and taxation records;
  • operate and secure our website, client portal and technology systems;
  • prevent fraud, misuse and unauthorised access;
  • comply with legal, regulatory and professional obligations; and
  • establish, exercise or defend legal claims.

 

We will not generally use personal information for an unrelated purpose unless you have consented or the use is otherwise required or authorised by law.

 

4. Tax File Numbers

 

We may collect your Tax File Number where it is reasonably required and legally permitted for taxation-related services. Tax File Number information is subject to specific legal protections. We will only collect, record, use and disclose Tax File Number information as permitted by taxation, superannuation and other applicable laws. We take reasonable steps to protect Tax File Number information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.

 

5. Disclosure of personal information

 

We may disclose personal information to parties involved in providing or supporting our services, including:

  • The Accounting Academy and authorised supervising tax agents;
  • the Australian Taxation Office and other government authorities;
  • Xero, TaxDome and other software or technology providers;
  • identity verification providers;
  • cloud storage, data hosting and information technology providers;
  • payment processors and financial institutions;
  • insurers, legal advisers, accountants, auditors and other professional advisers;
  • contractors and service providers assisting our business;
  • your authorised representatives; and
  • other parties where disclosure is required or permitted by law.

 

We do not sell personal information. Where information is provided to a service provider, we seek to limit disclosure to information reasonably required for that provider to perform its services.

 

6. Supervisory arrangements

 

Taxation services may be performed under an approved professional supervision arrangement. This may require relevant client information, working papers, tax returns, supporting documents and engagement records to be provided to The Accounting Academy, an authorised supervising tax agent or another authorised reviewer. This information may be disclosed for professional review, quality assurance, compliance and approval purposes.

 

7. Overseas storage and processing

 

Some software, cloud hosting, data storage or support providers used by us may store or process information outside Australia. The locations in which information is stored or accessed may vary depending on the infrastructure and service providers used. Where reasonably practicable, we select reputable providers and use available privacy and security controls. However, information stored or processed overseas may be subject to privacy laws that differ from Australian law.

 

8. Website information and tracking

 

We do not currently use third-party website analytics, advertising pixels or behavioural tracking tools on our website.

Information you voluntarily submit through a website contact form or enquiry form may be collected and used to respond to your enquiry and provide the services you request. Our website and hosting provider may use technical processes necessary to operate, secure, and maintain the website.

 

9. Security of personal information

 

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.These measures may include:

  • secure client portal access;
  • passwords and access controls;
  • multi-factor authentication where available;
  • encrypted data transmission;
  • restricted access to client information;
  • secure cloud storage;
  • software updates and security monitoring;
  • professional confidentiality obligations; and
  • secure destruction or de-identification where appropriate.
  •  

No electronic system or internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Clients should avoid sending Tax File Numbers, identity documents, bank details, or other sensitive financial information via ordinary unsecured email when a secure client portal is available.

 

10. Retention of information

 

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to:

  • provide services;
  • comply with taxation, professional, regulatory and legal obligations;
  • maintain business and client records;
  • resolve disputes; and
  • protect our legal interests.

 

When information is no longer required, we may securely destroy or de-identify it, subject to any applicable legal, taxation or professional record-retention requirements.

 

11. Access and correction

 

You may request access to the personal information we hold about you or ask us to correct any information that is inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date. We may need to verify your identity before processing a request. In some circumstances, access may be limited or refused where permitted by law. Where appropriate, we will explain the reason for any refusal.

 

12. Privacy complaints

 

You may contact us if you:

  • have a question about this Privacy Policy;
  • wish to access or correct your personal information; or
  • believe your personal information has been mishandled.

 

We will review your concern and seek to respond within a reasonable period. Where applicable, you may also be entitled to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

 

13. Third-party websites and services

 

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, portals or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites. You should review the privacy policy of any external service before providing personal information.

 

14. Changes to this policy

 

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to our services, technology, legal obligations or information-handling practices. The current version will be published on our website and identified by the “Last updated” date.

 

15. Contact details

 

For privacy enquiries, access requests, corrections or complaints, contact:

Gold Standard Tax & Accounting
Attention: Wolfgang Cunningham
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0473 758 076
Website: goldstandardaccounting.com.au