Legal

Privacy Policy

Effective: 2026-07-13 · MJQM Pty Ltd trading as DogsWelcome · ABN 39 694 692 003

DogsWelcome

Last updated: July 2026

1. Introduction

DogsWelcome Pty Ltd (ABN 39 694 692 003) (DogsWelcome, we, us, or our) handles personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). This Privacy Policy (Policy) explains how we collect, use, disclose, store, and otherwise handle personal information in connection with the DogsWelcome platform (Platform).

This Policy forms part of the DogsWelcome document suite and must be read together with the Guest Terms of Service, Host Terms of Service, Community Guidelines, Cookie Notice, Damage & Claims Policy, Refunds, Cancellations and Payout Policy, Platform Fee Disclosure Statement, and Compliance Disclaimer. The Cookie Notice addresses DogsWelcome's specific obligations regarding cookie-generated personal information. By using the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read this Policy. If you do not agree, you must not use the Platform.

2. Personal Information We Collect

DogsWelcome collects only personal information reasonably necessary for its functions (APP 3). This includes:

Account information: name, email address, phone number, and password (hashed);

Listing information (Hosts): property address, STRA registration number, fire safety compliance data, local government area and state, photographs, and property description;

Identity verification: government-issued identity document details, verification status, and associated metadata, collected for fraud prevention and STRA compliance;

Booking information: booking dates, guest details, payment details, cancellation history, and in-platform messaging history;

Payment and payout information: payment card and bank account details processed securely through Stripe. DogsWelcome does not store full card or bank account details directly;

Technical data: IP address, device type, browser type, cookies, and analytics data (see the Cookie Notice);

Communications data: emails, support messages, and marketing communication preferences.

Where you provide personal information about another person, you represent that you have their authority to do so and have made them aware of this Policy.

3. How We Collect Personal Information

We collect personal information directly from you when you register, create or update a listing, make or accept a Booking, or contact us; automatically through your use of the Platform via cookies and server logs; from third-party identity verification and payment providers (including Stripe); and from regulatory authorities where required for STRA compliance. Where practicable, we collect directly from the individual concerned (APP 3.6).

4. How We Use Personal Information

We use personal information for the primary purpose of collection and related secondary purposes you would reasonably expect, including to: operate and improve the Platform; verify Host identity and ensure STRA compliance; process Bookings, payments, and payouts; communicate with users about their accounts and Bookings; provide customer support and resolve disputes; send transactional communications necessary for your Terms of Service (which cannot be opted out of while your account is active); enforce our policies and investigate fraud; and comply with our legal obligations.

DogsWelcome may send marketing communications by email where you have provided express consent or where your consent may reasonably be inferred from your conduct or existing relationship with DogsWelcome, in accordance with the Spam Act 2003 (Cth). You may withdraw consent to marketing communications at any time using the unsubscribe mechanism in any marketing email or by contacting support@dogswelcome.co. Withdrawal of consent does not affect the delivery of transactional communications.

5. Legal Framework

DogsWelcome handles personal information under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the APPs.

6. Sharing Personal Information

We may disclose personal information to: Stripe Inc (payment processing, subject to Stripe's privacy policy at stripe.com/au/privacy); email delivery service providers (including Twilio); identity verification providers; analytics and fraud detection providers (including Google Analytics); regulatory authorities, law enforcement, and government bodies where required or permitted by law; professional advisers; and any successor entity in connection with a business transfer, subject to confidentiality obligations.

DogsWelcome does not sell personal information. By registering as a Guest or Host, you acknowledge and consent that DogsWelcome may disclose your name and contact details to the other party upon Booking confirmation solely to enable fulfilment of that Booking. Both parties must use such information only for that purpose in accordance with the applicable Terms of Service.

7. Overseas Disclosure

Some of our third-party providers are based outside Australia or process data on overseas servers, including Stripe (United States) and cloud infrastructure and analytics providers. Before disclosing personal information to overseas recipients, DogsWelcome takes reasonable steps to ensure those recipients handle it consistently with the APPs. Those steps include entering into contractual data processing agreements with overseas providers that require them to handle personal information consistently with the APPs.

By using the Platform, you acknowledge that your personal information may be transferred to, stored in, or processed in countries outside Australia. DogsWelcome cannot guarantee that overseas privacy laws will afford the same level of protection as Australian law.

8. Automated Decision-Making

DogsWelcome uses automated tools for fraud detection, STRA registration format checking, and expiry monitoring. These tools may produce outcomes that affect listings or accounts, including automatic listing suspension. DogsWelcome does not make final irreversible decisions about individuals by automated means without human review. If an automated outcome materially affects you, contact support@dogswelcome.co to request human review.

9. Data Storage, Security, and Breach Notification

DogsWelcome stores personal information using industry-standard security measures, including encryption in transit and at rest, access controls, and secure cloud infrastructure. No electronic storage method is completely secure and DogsWelcome cannot guarantee absolute security. If DogsWelcome becomes aware of an eligible data breach likely to result in serious harm, it will notify the OAIC and affected individuals in accordance with the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme under Part IIIC of the Privacy Act.

10. Data Retention

DogsWelcome retains personal information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, including to meet legal, STRA record-keeping, and taxation obligations. On account deletion, DogsWelcome will destroy or de-identify information it no longer requires. Indicative retention periods are: account and booking records 7 years; identity verification records 7 years; and technical and analytics data 12 months. Information may be retained longer where required by law or for fraud prevention or dispute resolution purposes.

11. Your Rights

Under the Privacy Act and the APPs, you have the right to request access to personal information DogsWelcome holds about you (APP 12) and request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information (APP 13). In addition, as a contractual right, you may request deletion of your account and associated personal information, subject to DogsWelcome's retention obligations under clause 10. You may also update your marketing communication preferences at any time. To exercise any of these rights, contact support@dogswelcome.co.

12. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

DogsWelcome uses cookies and similar tracking technologies as described in the Cookie Notice, which forms part of the document suite. Where cookies collect or generate personal information, it is handled in accordance with this Policy and the APPs.

13. Children

The Platform is not intended for persons under 18. DogsWelcome does not knowingly collect personal information from persons under 18. If you believe we have done so inadvertently, please contact support@dogswelcome.co and we will take reasonable steps to delete that information.

14. Privacy Complaints

If you have a complaint about DogsWelcome's handling of your personal information, contact support@dogswelcome.co. DogsWelcome will acknowledge your complaint within 5 business days and endeavour to resolve it within 30 days. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au, by phone on 1300 363 992, or by post to GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001.

15. Changes to this Policy

DogsWelcome may amend this Policy at any time. Where any amendment materially affects how we handle your personal information, we will provide no less than 14 days' prior written notice by email before the amendment takes effect. A change is material if it involves a new purpose for which personal information is collected or used, a new category of third-party disclosure, a change to our overseas disclosure practices, or a change to our security or retention framework. Continued use of the Platform after the notice period constitutes acceptance of the amended Policy.

16. Governing Law

This Policy is governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia, and must be read subject to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the APPs. To the extent of any inconsistency, the Privacy Act prevails. The parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New South Wales.

17. Contact

Privacy Officer, DogsWelcome Pty Ltd (ABN 39 694 692 003)

Email: support@dogswelcome.co