Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Lodgepath (‘we’, ‘us’, ‘our’) operates the website lodgepath.com.au (the ‘Platform’). We are committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and disclose your personal information when you use the Platform, whether as a builder, architect, developer, or consultant.

By using Lodgepath, you agree to the collection and use of your information in accordance with this policy.

2. Who we are

Lodgepath is an Australian marketplace connecting builders and architects with development approval consultants including private certifiers, town planners, hydraulic engineers, and other related professionals.

For privacy enquiries, contact us at: hello@lodgepath.com.au

3. What information we collect

We collect personal information in two ways — information you provide directly, and information collected automatically.

Information you provide directly

From builders, architects, and developers who post a brief:

• Full name
• Email address
• Phone number (optional)
• Your role (builder, architect, developer, owner-builder)
• Project details including location, discipline needed, and timeline

From consultants who list their services:

• Full name
• Business or practice name
• Discipline and professional accreditation details
• States of operation and suburb
• Specialisations and years of experience
• Hourly rate or fee structure
• Current availability
• Email address
• Phone number (optional)
• Website or LinkedIn URL (optional, used for verification only, not displayed publicly)
• A professional bio

Information collected automatically

When you visit the Platform we may collect:

• IP address
• Browser type and version
• Pages visited and time spent
• Referring website
• Device type

This information is collected via standard web analytics tools and is used to improve the Platform.

4. How we use your information

We use the information we collect to:

• Match builders and architects with appropriate consultants based on discipline, location, and availability
• Contact you in relation to a brief or listing submission
• Display consultant profiles on the Platform (see Section 5 for what is and is not displayed publicly)
• Verify the credentials and accreditation of consultants before publishing their profiles
• Send you transactional emails related to your submission or enquiry
• Improve and maintain the Platform
• Comply with our legal obligations

We do not use your information for unsolicited marketing without your consent.

5. What information is displayed publicly

For consultant profiles, the following information is displayed publicly on the Platform:

• Full name
• Discipline
• Suburb and state
• Specialisations
• Professional bio
• Availability status
• Hourly rate or fee structure

The following information is collected during registration but is never displayed publicly:

• Email address
• Phone number
• Website URL
• LinkedIn URL

This information is used solely for internal verification and communication purposes.

6. How we share your information

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:

• Making introductions: When we match a builder or architect with a consultant, we may share relevant contact details with both parties to facilitate the connection. We will always notify you before making such an introduction.
• Service providers: We use third-party services to operate the Platform, including email delivery (Resend) and web hosting (Vercel). These providers only process your data on our behalf and are bound by appropriate data protection obligations.
• Legal requirements: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to a valid request from a government authority.

7. How we store and protect your information

Your information is stored securely using industry-standard measures. We use reputable third-party infrastructure providers and take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, interference, loss, and unauthorised access.

However, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure. While we take reasonable precautions, we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your information.

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services or as required by law. If you request that your information be deleted, we will action that request within a reasonable timeframe.

8. Cookies

The Platform may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to improve your experience. Cookies are small files stored on your device that help us understand how you use the Platform.

You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, some features of the Platform may not function properly without cookies.

9. Your rights

Under the Australian Privacy Act 1988, you have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Request deletion of your personal information (subject to any legal obligations we have to retain it)
• Make a complaint about how we have handled your personal information

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at hello@lodgepath.com.au. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe and no later than 30 days.

10. Third-party links

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites. This Privacy Policy applies only to Lodgepath. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of any third-party sites and encourage you to read their privacy policies.

11. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the ‘Last updated’ date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Continued use of the Platform after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Complaints

If you believe we have breached the Australian Privacy Principles, you have the right to make a complaint. Please contact us first at hello@lodgepath.com.au and we will endeavour to resolve your complaint 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 oaic.gov.au.

Contact us

For any privacy-related questions or requests:

Email: hello@lodgepath.com.au
Website: lodgepath.com.au