Privacy Policy
At Instead LLC (Instead), privacy is taken seriously. This Privacy Policy explains how
Instead collects, uses, discloses, stores and secures personal information, and outlines
individuals’ rights and choices. Where we handle personal information of Australian
residents, we comply with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act
1988 (Cth).
Instead LLC
Telephone: +613 9584 5999
Email: helpdesk@instead.com.au
Privacy enquiries: helpdesk@instead.com.au
Australia contact (if applicable): brett@instead.com.au
We collect personal information when you:
Information collected may include:
For Australian users, we may collect TFNs and ABNs where permitted, and documents
required for SMSF administration and audit support. We use this information to compile
tax return files and audit packs and to support clients’ advisers and tax agents.
We may combine information we collect with information from business partners or other
companies, consistent with applicable law and your choices.
We use personal information to:
We will never rent or sell personal information, and we share it only as described in this
policy.
Where lawful and practicable, Australian individuals may interact with us anonymously or
using a pseudonym (e.g., general enquiries). Identification is typically required to create an
account, complete purchases and comply with legal obligations.
We share personal information with:
We may share cookie and other anonymous usage data with affiliates, business partners,
advertisers and ad networks. This data does not identify individuals.
Third-party advertising: Third parties may use web beacons, cookies, JavaScript and
similar technologies to deliver adverts, measure effectiveness and gather anonymous
information about visits and ad views. Choices about interest-based advertising are
available at: https://networkadvertising.org/consumer/opt_out.asp.
Links: Our services may link to third-party websites or products. Their privacy practices
apply to your use of those sites.
Cookies are small data files that help operate and personalise services and measure traffic.
If cookies are disabled in your browser, some features may not function properly.
We use:
You may control cookies through browser settings and platform-level controls, and opt-out
of certain advertising cookies via industry tools.
We may transfer personal information to recipients outside your country (including cloud
hosting, customer support and analytics providers). Where we do so, we implement
appropriate safeguards such as standard contractual clauses, data processing
agreements, vendor due diligence and technical controls (e.g., encryption, access
controls).
Australia: Where we disclose personal information of Australian residents overseas, we
take reasonable steps to ensure the recipient does not breach the APPs in relation to the
information. If equivalent protections cannot be ensured, we will seek consent where
required by law.
Security
We protect personal information using physical, technical and organisational measures
commensurate with the nature of the information and our operations, including:
No method of transmission or storage is completely secure; users should also protect their
credentials and devices.
Our services are hosted on AWS. Data is not stored on Instead-owned on-premises
production servers. MFA is enabled for certain entry points and is being extended across
remaining entry points.
We retain personal information only for as long as necessary for the purposes described
in this policy, to comply with legal obligations and to resolve disputes.
We maintain a documented retention schedule.
When information is no longer required, we delete or de-identify it, subject to legal and
operational requirements.
We retain personal information for as long as needed for the purposes set out in this policy
and to meet legal, regulatory and operational requirements, which for Australian tax and
SMSF records may exceed seven years. We maintain a documented retention schedule.
When no longer required, we delete or de-identify information subject to legal and
operational requirements.
You have the right to request:
Submit requests to helpdesk@instead.com.au. We will respond within a reasonable period,
typically within 30 days. The data processed before we receive your request may still be
legally processed.
Marketing choices:
We do not adopt, use or disclose government-related identifiers (e.g., tax file numbers) as
our own identifiers. Any identifiers we assign (e.g., account IDs) are used only where
reasonably necessary and handled in accordance with the APPs.
Where we handle TFNs, we do so in accordance with the Privacy (Tax File Number) Rule
2015.
We collect sensitive information only where necessary for our services and with consent
or as permitted by law. Sensitive information is subject to heightened access controls and
used for limited purposes consistent with this policy and applicable law.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. By using the site,
you represent that you are at least 18 or using the site with the supervision of a parent or
guardian. If you become aware that a child has provided us personal information without
consent, please email helpdesk@instead.com.au.
Australian residents may lodge a privacy complaint with us at helpdesk@instead.com.au. We
will acknowledge within seven days and aim to resolve within 30 days. If you are not
satisfied, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
(www.oaic.gov.au, 1300 363 992).
We may change this Privacy Policy at any time. For material changes, we will post a
prominent notice on our website and, where appropriate, notify you directly. The most
current version will govern our processing of personal information.