PRIVACY POLICY

Effective Date: 23 October 2026

 

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1. Introduction

At New Life Fellowship Sydney (NLFS), we value your privacy and are committed to protecting the personal information entrusted to us.

 

As a Christian church based in Sydney, New South Wales, we recognise the importance of handling personal information with care, confidentiality, integrity and respect.

 

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, protect and disclose personal information when you visit our website, attend our church services, participate in our ministries or communicate with us.

 

We aim to manage personal information in accordance with applicable Australian privacy laws, including the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), where applicable.

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2. Information We Collect

Depending on your interaction with our church, we may collect the following personal information:

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• Personal details: Name, email address, telephone number and other contact information voluntarily provided.

• Church participation: Information provided when attending services, registering for events, joining ministries or participating in church activities.

• Prayer requests: Personal information voluntarily shared when requesting prayer, spiritual guidance or pastoral support.

• Donations: Information reasonably necessary to process donations, maintain financial records and provide receipts.

• Children and youth: Information provided by parents or guardians for participation in Sunday School, youth activities or other church programmes.

• Photographs and recordings: Images, videos or audio recordings captured during church services, events or ministry activities.

• Website information: Technical information such as IP addresses, browser types, website usage data and cookies, where collected by our website or its service providers.

 

We only seek to collect information reasonably necessary for our church activities and operations.

 

3. How We Collect Information

We may collect personal information when you:

 

• Visit our website or submit an online enquiry.

• Contact us through email, telephone or social media.

• Attend church services, events or fellowship gatherings.

• Register for church programmes or ministry activities.

• Submit prayer requests or request pastoral assistance.

• Make donations or contribute to church activities.

• Voluntarily provide information to church leaders or authorised volunteers.

 

Where reasonable and practicable, we collect information directly from the individual concerned.

 

4. How We Use Your Information

Personal information collected by NLFS may be used to:

 

• Respond to enquiries and requests for information.

• Communicate service times, church announcements and upcoming events.

• Organise church services, ministries, fellowship gatherings and community outreach.

• Provide pastoral care, spiritual guidance and prayer support.

• Administer Sunday School, youth and other ministry activities.

• Process donations and maintain appropriate financial records.

• Improve our website and communication services.

• Maintain a safe, welcoming and supportive church environment.

• Fulfil applicable legal and administrative obligations.

 

We will not sell or rent your personal information to third parties.

 

5. Sensitive Information and Confidentiality

As a faith-based organisation, NLFS understands that some information shared with the church may be sensitive.

 

This may include religious beliefs, health information, personal circumstances and confidential prayer or pastoral requests.

 

We treat such information with particular care and limit its use and disclosure to appropriate purposes.

 

Confidential prayer requests and pastoral discussions will not be publicly shared without appropriate consent, except where disclosure is required or authorised by law, or necessary in circumstances involving safety or serious risk of harm.

 

6. Children and Young People's Privacy

NLFS is committed to protecting the privacy, safety and wellbeing of children and young people participating in church activities.

 

Personal information relating to children will be collected only where reasonably necessary for ministry administration, communication, safety or participation.

 

We will seek appropriate parental or guardian consent when required, particularly for the collection and use of sensitive information and identifiable photographs or recordings.

 

Access to children's personal information will be restricted to authorised persons who require it for legitimate ministry purposes.

 

7. Photography, Video Recording and Social Media

NLFS may photograph or record church services, worship gatherings, celebrations and community events for ministry communications and church-related publications.

 

Photographs and recordings may be shared through our website, YouTube channel, Facebook, Instagram or other official church communication platforms.

 

We will seek appropriate consent before publishing identifiable images or recordings where required, with particular attention to children, young people and sensitive circumstances.

 

If you have privacy concerns regarding a photograph or recording published by NLFS, please contact us through our website. We will review the request and take reasonable action where appropriate.

 

8. Donations and Financial Information

Information provided in connection with donations and financial contributions will be used for donation processing, financial administration, recordkeeping and compliance with applicable obligations.

 

Where third-party payment platforms or banking services are used, those providers may process payment information in accordance with their own privacy and security policies.

 

NLFS will take reasonable steps to protect donor information and restrict access to authorised personnel.

 

9. Website Cookies and Analytics

Our website may use cookies or similar technologies to support website functionality, improve visitor experience and understand website performance.

 

Depending on the website services enabled, information may include browser details, pages visited, visit duration and general website activity.

 

Some third-party website services may also use cookies or collect information according to their own privacy policies.

 

You may manage or disable cookies through your browser settings, although doing so may affect certain website features.

 

10. Disclosure of Personal Information

NLFS may disclose personal information where reasonably necessary to:

 

• Authorised church leaders, staff or volunteers performing church-related responsibilities.

• Service providers assisting with website hosting, communications, event administration or payment processing.

• Professional advisers or regulatory authorities where necessary.

• Law enforcement or other relevant authorities where required or authorised by law.

 

We will take reasonable steps to ensure that personal information is handled appropriately and is not disclosed for unrelated purposes without a lawful basis.

 

11. Overseas Data Storage and Disclosure

Some third-party technology providers used for website hosting, email communications, social media, online forms or payment processing may store or process information outside Australia.

 

Where overseas processing occurs, we will take reasonable steps appropriate to the circumstances to protect personal information and meet any applicable legal obligations.

 

Further information about relevant service providers and overseas processing may be requested through our website contact page.

 

12. Protection and Storage of Information

NLFS takes reasonable measures to protect personal information against misuse, loss, interference, unauthorised access, modification and disclosure.

 

These measures may include restricted access, secure accounts, appropriate password practices and the use of reputable technology service providers.

 

Personal information will be retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for church purposes or to satisfy applicable legal requirements.

 

When information is no longer required, we will take reasonable steps to securely delete or de-identify it, unless retention is required by law.

 

13. Accessing or Correcting Your Information

You may request access to personal information NLFS holds about you or ask us to correct information that is inaccurate, outdated or incomplete.

 

Requests can be submitted through the contact details available on our website.

 

We will review and respond to requests within a reasonable timeframe, subject to applicable legal requirements and exceptions.

 

14. Communications and Opting Out

NLFS may communicate with individuals who have requested church updates, subscribed to communications or provided their contact details for relevant church activities.

 

You may request to stop receiving non-essential electronic communications at any time by contacting us or using an unsubscribe option where available.

 

Essential administrative or safety-related communications may still be provided where appropriate.

 

15. Data Breaches

If NLFS becomes aware of a suspected or actual data breach, we will take reasonable steps to investigate, contain and address the incident.

 

Where notification is legally required, we will notify affected individuals and relevant authorities in accordance with applicable requirements, including the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme where it applies.

 

16. Privacy Concerns and Complaints

If you have questions or concerns about how NLFS collects, uses or protects your personal information, please contact us through our official website.

 

We will review privacy complaints fairly, respectfully and within a reasonable timeframe.

 

Where the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) applies and a complaint remains unresolved, individuals may be entitled to raise their concerns with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

 

OAIC Website: https://www.oaic.gov.au/

 

17. Third-Party Websites and Social Media

Our website may contain links to third-party websites and social media platforms.

 

NLFS is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of websites and platforms operated independently by third parties.

 

We encourage visitors to review the privacy policies of any external services they access.

 

18. Changes to This Privacy Policy

NLFS may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in church operations, technology, legal requirements or privacy practices.

 

Any updated policy will be published on our website with a revised effective date.

 

We encourage visitors to review this page periodically.

 

19. Contact Us

For privacy enquiries, requests to access or correct information, or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact:

 

New Life Fellowship Sydney (NLFS)

 

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

 

Contact: Through the Contact page on our official website.

 

New Life Fellowship Sydney is committed to respecting individual privacy and safeguarding the trust placed in our church community.