Power Down : Privacy policy

The information below details our Privacy Policy in relation to our website. Please click here to view our full Privacy Policy.

Collecting your Personal Information

We will ask you when we need to collect information that personally identifies you or allows us to contact you. Usually, we request this information when you ask us to send you a brochure, you enter a competition, or when you pay your Western Power account online.

Our Systems

Western Power has established systems and procedures to protect your privacy whenever we collect, use, store or disclose your personal information. Security measurements are in place to prevent unauthorised access to website sections where required. To this end, regular tests are carried out to ensure that the Western Power website can withstand potential breaches of security.

Cookies

A "cookie" is a packet of information that allows the Western Power server (the computer that stores our website) to identify and interact more effectively with your computer.

When you access our website, we send your computer a cookie that gives you a unique identification number. Each time you use our website a different identification number is sent. Note that the cookie sent to you from Western Power will reside on your computer for a period of one year.

Cookies do not identify you personally or individually, but they do identify your Internet browser type and Internet Service Provider (ISP).

The cookie we send to your computer allows you to page forwards and backwards and go back to other pages you have already visited on our site without having to log onto our home page again. Cookies also enable us to keep track of which pages are most and least frequently visited by our customers. This information helps us to update our website and ensure it best meets our customer's needs.

Your Internet browser can be set up to accept all cookies, reject all cookies or notify you when a cookie is sent. Please refer to your Internet browser's help screens for more information. Please be aware that you must have cookies enabled on your browser to use Western Power's online bill pay service.

Information logged on our website

When you visit the Western Power website, our server logs the following information for statistical and administration purposes:

Browser type and operating system of your computer;
Your Internet Service Provider (ISP);
Your top-level domain name (eg. .com, .gov, .au, .uk etc);
The address of any referring website; and
Your computer's IP (Internet Protocol) address.

Links to other sites

Our site contains hyperlinks to other websites. Although we are careful to review these sites before providing a hyperlink, Western Power is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such websites.

Western Power's Retail Privacy Policy

Western Power is committed to protecting your privacy as an individual.

At Western Power your privacy and the confidential management of your personal information is a fundamental part of the way we manage our relationship with you, the customer. We respect the value you assign to your own personal details and recognise that the collection, storage, use and disclosure of your personal details should be handled in a professional manner. To that end, an important part of our commitment is to clearly explain how we maintain your privacy and confidentiality and, most importantly, how you can play a part in that commitment.

Western Power's privacy policy, as documented below, and the day-to-day application of that policy by Western Power's staff and agents, complies with the Privacy Act 1988 and with Western Power's governing legislation, the Electricity Corporation Act 1994.

What does this policy cover?

This policy covers the collection, storage, use, disclosure and security of your personal details. It explains how and when we collect personal information, what that information is used for, who uses it and when it may be disclosed to other parties. Most importantly it explains how you can access your details and control your own personal information.

What is personal information?

Personal information includes information, such as your name, address, and phone number or e-mail address, which can be used to identify who you are as an individual. Personal information can also include:

Financial information, like your credit card number or bank account number;
Information that uniquely identifies you, like your date of birth;
Product purchase details, such as the date your house is connected to Western Power electricity; and
The way you use or consume products and services, like the amount of electricity you use.
All of this information is important for Western Power to develop and maintain a relationship with you, our customer, and to provide high quality energy products and services.

How we collect your personal information

Western Power aims to collect information directly from you wherever possible. This information is usually collected over the phone, when you fill out an application form or contract, when you contact us through our website or when you deal with us in person. In certain cases we will also confirm your details with external agencies such as the Office of Seniors' Interests, Centrelink or other Government agencies.

Any information we directly collect or receive from an external agency is necessary and considered normal business practice, so that we can continue to provide you with our energy products and services. Sensitive information (for example an individual's membership with a professional or trade association) will only be collected if required and only when the individual has consented to providing that information.

How we use your personal information

The primary way we use your personal details is to connect, maintain, service and bill your energy and related service accounts with us. We may also use your personal information:

To build a relationship with you;
For internal accounting and administration;
For our regulatory reporting and compliance;
For legal requirements; and
To help us identify and inform you about other Western Power products and services that you may benefit from.
In order to communicate effectively with you, as a normal part of our business, we will provide information about Western Power and any related company's products, services, initiatives and promotions in newsletters, magazines and inserts that accompany your Western Power bill.

Direct marketing and your privacy

In addition to the information you receive with your bill, we may, from time-to-time, contact you directly with related energy news, information and special offers from Western Power and other businesses.

If you do not wish to receive direct marketing information from Western Power, other than what you receive normally with your bill, please tell us by using the contact details set out below. Please note that your instruction to one part of the business may take time to pass through to the other parts of our business.

When Western Power does direct market to you and other customers we will always provide you with the opportunity to opt out of any future marketing correspondence.

Who uses your personal information?

Only a select number of Western Power staff have authority to access your information, and only then to enable them to perform their jobs. We also have contracts with companies, including mailing houses that print and post your Western Power account to your home and research companies who use phone numbers for research purposes. Western Power will only disclose your personal information to these agents, contractors and related business:

On a confidential basis, for the purposes of Western Power business
Where the law requires Western Power to do so; or
If you consent.
Keeping your personal information correct and up-to-date

To provide you with the best possible service it is important that we maintain accurate, up-to-date information for you. Western Power will endeavour to ensure the personal information we collect, use and disclose is correct, complete and up-to-date. To fulfil this commitment, Western Power also provides you with the capacity to correct or change the personal information we store for you.

You can contact us:

By mail at GPO Box L921 Perth WA 6842
In person at 363 Wellington St, Perth
By telephone on 131353.

How can you access your personal information at Western Power?

You are entitled at any time to request details and a copy of your personal information held by us by contacting us in writing at the address below. To protect your privacy, Western Power will require proof of identity before actioning your request.

Western Power Customer Service Centre
Western Power Corporation
GPO Box L921
PERTH WA 6842

Western Power will respond to any such request as soon as reasonably possible and in any event will acknowledge the request within five working days from receipt. Western Power may charge for the reasonable costs it incurs in providing the copy information.