Privacy

Simmons Wolfhagen’s - Privacy Policy

We understand the importance of privacy and are committed to helping to protect your privacy and the privacy of any information you provide to us when you visit our website.

Simmons Wolfhagen’s commitment to privacy

Simmons Wolfhagen Pty Ltd ACN 635 248 976 is committed to managing personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act) and in accordance with other applicable privacy laws.

This document sets out our policies for managing your personal information and is referred to as our Privacy Policy.

In this Privacy Policy, "we" and "us" refers to Simmons Wolfhagen and "you" refers to any individual about whom we collect personal information.

This policy applies to all personal information collected, used or disclosed by the firm across all practice areas, including (without limitation) property, planning, commercial, estates, family law and litigation.

What information does Simmons Wolfhagen collect about you?
Simmons Wolfhagen collects personal information that is reasonably necessary to provide legal services, comply with legal obligations (including anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, verification of identity and regulatory requirements) and manage client relationships.

Clients and prospective clients
When you enquire about our services or when you become a client of Simmons Wolfhagen, a record is made which includes your personal information.

The type of personal information that we collect will vary depending on the circumstances of collection and the kind of service that you request from us, but will typically include:

  • your name, email, postal address and other contact details;
  • information about your employer or an organisation you represent;
  • your professional details; and
  • know your client information, including:
  • personal identification
  • whether the customer, beneficial owner, or any person acting on their behalf is a politically exposed person or a person designated for targeted financial sanctions
  • information regarding source of wealth and source of funds
  • nature and purpose of the business relationship or transaction
  • any other matter specified in the AML/CTF Rules

Prospective employees or applicants
We collect personal information when recruiting personnel, such as your name, contact details, qualifications and work history. Generally, we will collect this information directly from you.

Before offering you a position, we may collect additional details such as your tax file number and superannuation information and other information necessary to conduct background checks to determine your suitability for certain positions.

Other individuals
Simmons Wolfhagen may collect personal information about other individuals who are not clients of Simmons Wolfhagen. This includes customers and members of the public who participate in events we are involved with; individual service providers and contractors to Simmons Wolfhagen; and other individuals who interact with Simmons Wolfhagen on a commercial basis. The kinds of personal information we collect will depend on the capacity in which you are dealing with Simmons Wolfhagen. Generally, it would include (eg, your name, contact details, and information regarding our interactions and transactions with you).

If you are participating in an event we are managing or delivering, we may take images or audio-visual recordings which identify you.

You can always decline to give Simmons Wolfhagen any personal information we request, but that may mean we cannot provide you with some or all of the services you have requested. If you have any concerns about personal information we have requested, please let us know.

How and why does Simmons Wolfhagen collect and use your personal information?
Simmons Wolfhagen collects personal information reasonably necessary to carry out our business, to assess and manage our clients' needs, and provide services including legal services and conveyancing services. We may also collect information to fulfil administrative functions associated with these services, for example billing, entering into contracts with you and/or third parties and managing client relationships.

The purposes for which Simmons Wolfhagen usually collects and uses personal information depends on the nature of your interaction with us, but may include:

  • responding to requests for information and other general inquiries;
  • informing you of our activities, events, facilities and services;
  • recruitment processes (including for volunteers, internships and work experience); and
  • responding to enquiries and complaints.

Simmons Wolfhagen generally collects personal information directly from you. We may collect and update your personal information over the phone, by email, over the internet or social media, or in person. We may also collect personal information about you from other sources, for example:

  • third-party suppliers and contractors who assist us to operate our business.

Simmons Wolfhagen also collects and uses personal information for market research purposes and to innovate our delivery of products and services.

How does Simmons Wolfhagen interact with you via the internet?
You may visit our website (simwolf.com.au) without identifying yourself. If you identify yourself (for example, by providing your contact details in an enquiry), any personal information you provide to Simmons Wolfhagen will be managed in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

Our website uses cookies. A “cookie” is a small file stored on your computer's browser, which assists in managing customised settings of the website and delivering content. We collect certain information such as your device type, browser type, IP address, pages you have accessed on our website and on third-party websites. You are not identifiable from such information.

You can use the settings in your browser to control how your browser deals with cookies. However, in doing so, you may be unable to access certain pages or content on our website.

Simmons Wolfhagen’s website may contain links to third-party websites. Simmons Wolfhagen is not responsible for the content or privacy practices of websites that are linked to our website.

Can you deal with Simmons Wolfhagen anonymously?
Simmons Wolfhagen will provide individuals with the opportunity of remaining anonymous or using a pseudonym in their dealings with us where it is lawful and practicable (for example, when making a general enquiry). Generally, it is not practicable for Simmons Wolfhagen to deal with individuals anonymously or pseudonymously on an ongoing basis. If we do not collect personal information about you, you may be unable to utilise our services or participate in our events, programs or activities we manage or deliver.

How does Simmons Wolfhagen hold information?
Simmons Wolfhagen stores information in paper-based files or other electronic record keeping methods in secure databases (including trusted third-party storage providers based in Australia). Personal information may be collected in paper-based documents and converted to electronic form for use or storage (with the original paper-based documents either archived or securely destroyed). We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, interference and loss and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.

Simmons Wolfhagen maintains physical security over paper and electronic data stores, such as through locks and security systems at our premises. We also maintain computer and network security, for example, we use firewalls (security measures for the Internet) and other security systems such as user identifiers and passwords to control access to our computer systems.

Our website does not necessarily use encryption or other technologies to ensure the secure transmission of information via the internet. Users of our website are encouraged to exercise care in sending personal information via the internet.

We take steps to destroy or de-identify information that we no longer require.

Does Simmons Wolfhagen use or disclose your personal information for direct marketing?
Simmons Wolfhagen may use or disclose your personal information for the purpose of informing you about our services, upcoming promotions and events, or other opportunities that may interest you. If you do not want to receive direct marketing communications, you can opt out at any time by contacting us using the contact details below.

If you opt out of receiving marketing material from us, Simmons Wolfhagen may still contact you in relation to its ongoing relationship with you.

How does Simmons Wolfhagen use and disclose personal information?

For clients
The purposes for which we may use and disclose your personal information will depend on the services we are providing you and as required by law, including:

  1. courts and tribunals;
  2. government authorities and regulators;
  3. banks and financial institutions;
  4. electronic conveyancing platforms; andm
  5. technology and cloud service providers supporting Simmons Wolfhagen.

Use and disclosure for administration and management
Simmons Wolfhagen will also use and disclose personal information for a range of administrative, management and operational purposes. This includes:

  • administering billing and payments and debt recovery;
  • planning, managing, monitoring and evaluating our services;
  • quality improvement activities;
  • statistical analysis and reporting;
  • training staff, contractors and other workers;
  • risk management and management of legal liabilities and claims (for example, liaising with insurers and legal representatives);
  • responding to enquiries and complaints regarding our services;
  • obtaining advice from consultants and other professional advisers; and
  • responding to subpoenas and other legal orders and obligations.

Other uses and disclosures
We may use and disclose your personal information for other purposes explained at the time of collection or otherwise as set out in this Privacy Policy.

Does Simmons Wolfhagen disclose your personal information overseas?

Service providers used by the firm (including cloud storage, document management systems or software providers) may store or process personal information outside Australia.

Simmons Wolfhagen takes reasonable steps to ensure that an overseas recipient does not breach Australian privacy laws.

How can you access or seek correction of your personal information?
You are entitled to access your personal information held by Simmons Wolfhagen on request. To request access to your personal information please contact our privacy officer (Privacy Officer) using the contact details set out below.

You will not be charged for making a request to access your personal information but you may be charged for the reasonable time and expense incurred in compiling information in response to your request.

We will take reasonable steps to ensure that the personal information we collect, use or disclose is accurate, complete and up-to-date. You can help us to do this by letting us know if you notice errors or discrepancies in information we hold about you and letting us know if your personal details change.

However, if you consider any personal information we hold about you is inaccurate, out-of-date, incomplete, irrelevant or misleading you are entitled to request correction of the information. After receiving a request from you, we will take reasonable steps to correct your information.

We may decline your request to access or correct your personal information in certain circumstances in accordance with the APPs. If we do refuse your request, we will provide you with a reason for our decision and, in the case of a request for correction, we will include a statement with your personal information about the requested correction.

What should you do if you have a complaint about the handling of your personal information?
You may contact Simmons Wolfhagen at any time if you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or about the way in which your personal information has been handled.

You may make a complaint about privacy to the Privacy Officer at the contact details set out below.

The Privacy Officer will first consider your complaint to determine whether there are simple or immediate steps which can be taken to resolve the complaint. We will generally respond to your complaint within a week.

If your complaint requires more detailed consideration or investigation, we will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within a week and endeavour to complete our investigation into your complaint promptly. We may ask you to provide further information about your complaint and the outcome you are seeking. We will then typically gather relevant facts, locate and review relevant documents and speak with individuals involved.

In most cases, we will investigate and respond to a complaint within 30 days of receipt of the complaint. If the matter is more complex or our investigation may take longer, we will let you know.

If you are not satisfied with our response to your complaint, or you consider that Simmons Wolfhagen may have breached the APPs or the Privacy Act, a complaint may be made to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). The OAIC can be contacted by telephone on 1300 363 992 or by using the contact details on the OAIC website.

How changes are made to this privacy policy?
Simmons Wolfhagen may amend this Privacy Policy from time to time, with or without notice to you. We recommend that you visit our website regularly to keep up to date with any changes.

How can you contact Simmons Wolfhagen?
The contact details for Simmons Wolfhagen are:

Simmons Wolfhagen Privacy Officer
Address: GPO Box 146, HOBART TAS 7001
Email address: [email protected]
Telephone number: +61 03 6226 1200

This Privacy Policy was last updated in 2026.