Privacy Policy
The Australian Government Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS) provides the following privacy statement in accordance with the Guidelines for Federal and ACT Government World Wide Websites issued by the Australian Privacy Commissioner.
Contact the departmental Privacy Contact Officer on (02) 6272 4336 for further information.
Cookies
BRS utilises technology called cookies when you visit our site. Cookies are small pieces of information which can be stored on your hard drive (persistent cookies) or in memory (session cookies). They can record information about your visit to the site, allowing it to remember you next time you visit and provide a more meaningful experience.
The Bureau uses cookies to offer you increased security. Despite common myths, the cookies we send to your PC cannot read your hard drive, obtain any information from your browser or command your computer to perform any action. They are designed so that they cannot be sent to another site or be retrieved by any site other than BRS.
We use two types of cookies:
- Persistent cookies - identify pages accessed and provide personalised features, for example reissuing your selected bandwith version from your previous visit. They are used to help us develop the design and layout of the web site, improve applications, and measure their effectiveness.
- Session cookies - is used for maintaining contact with a user through a session and allows BRS to recognise you as an individual as you move from one page to another. At the end of your session, you may leave this site to go to another web site, or you may close your browser. When you do this the cookie is immediately deleted. If you do not finish or close your session (ie stay logged on), the web site will automatically log you off after about 20 minutes. The cookie stored within your browser will expire when you close your web browser.
Please note:
- If you wish to utilise the features of BRS 's Internet Site that enable us to personalise the site for you, you must use a browser which is enabled to accept cookies
- that some browsers can be configured to allow cookies to be accessed by servers other than the originating server.
- that most browsers can also be configured to notify the user when a cookie is received, allowing you to either accept or reject it.
(An explanation of cookies generally can be found at the site of the Australian Privacy Commissioner).
Click stream data
BRS makes a record of your visit and logs the following information for statistical purposes-the user's server address, the user's top level domain name (eg. .com, .gov, .au, .uk etc.), the date and time of the visit to the site, the pages accessed and documents downloaded, the previous site visited and the type of browser used.
No attempt will be made to identify users or their browsing activities except, in the unlikely event of an investigation, where a law enforcement agency may exercise a warrant to inspect the service provider's logs.
Email management
BRS will only record your email address if you send us a message. It will only be used for the purpose for which you have provided it and will not be added to a mailing list. We will not use your e-mail address for any other purpose, and will not disclose it, without your consent.
Personal information
BRS, through its website, invites people to provide personal information through feedback forms, subscription forms, or for other specified purposes. The information will only be used for those purposes originally intended. Personal details will not be transmitted to other agencies, or used for commercial purposes, and will not be disclosed outside the required area without your consent.
If you prefer to use an alternative means of delivery, you can send the information via the Department's normal communications methods; i.e. mail, phone or fax. If you take this approach, please make it clear which part of the website you are responding to.
Telephone: 02 6272 3933
Fax: 02 6272 3294
Post: Australian Government
Bureau of Rural Sciences
GPO Box 858, Canberra ACT 2601
Email: brs-webmaster@brs.gov.au
Security
This site adheres to Commonwealth Government Internet security standards, including the Defence Signals Directorate guidelines.
If you choose to pay for a service or product using the secure credit card payment facility available at this site you will be asked to provide your credit card details. Credit card details are encrypted from the moment they are entered into an electronic form on this website. All other information entered into an electronic form will be encrypted upon submission to the Department.
BRS stores credit card details only until the Industry standard charge back period has expired (currently 10 months).
Note: There is an inherent risk associated with the use of an insecure public network such as the World Wide Web. Though minor, the potential does exist that a user's transactions (including emails) may be viewed, intercepted or modified by a third party.
Again, if you prefer to use an alternative means of delivery, you can send the information via the Department's normal communications methods; i.e. mail, phone or fax. If you take this approach, please make it clear which part of the website you are responding to.
Telephone: 02 6272 3933
Fax: 02 6272 3294
Post: Bureau of Rural Sciences
GPO Box 858, Canberra ACT 2601
Email: brs-webmaster@brs.gov.au
External sites that are linked to or from the Department's site are not under the Department's control and you are advised to review their privacy statement.