Privacy Policy

MTSE Accountants & Business Advisors ("MTSE", "we", "us", "our") Offices: Pakenham, Leongatha, Yarram — Gippsland, Victoria Last updated: August 2026

1. Overview

MTSE is committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the 13 Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). This policy also explains how we handle information collected under our obligations as registered tax agents (Tax Practitioners Board) and, from 1 July 2026, as a reporting entity under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth) (AML/CTF Act) for the designated services we provide.

This policy applies to clients, prospective clients, website visitors, and staff, across all our services including tax compliance, advisory, bookkeeping, ASIC services, and any designated services under the AML/CTF Act.

2. What personal information we collect

Depending on the service, we may collect:

• Identity information (name, date of birth, address, contact details, photo ID)

• Tax file numbers, ABNs, and financial information

• Bank account and transaction data

• Business ownership and structure information (directors, shareholders, trustees, beneficial owners)

• Information relating to the source of funds or wealth, where required for AML/CTF purposes

• Website usage data (via cookies and analytics tools)

3. How we collect information

We collect information directly from you (forms, meetings, phone, email), from your authorised representatives, from linked accounting software (e.g. Xero), and, where legally required, from public registers (e.g. ASIC) or verification services used for identity checks.

4. Why we collect, use and disclose your information

We use your information to:

• Provide tax, accounting, bookkeeping, and advisory services

• Meet our obligations as registered tax agents under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 and the TPB Code of Professional Conduct

• Comply with our AML/CTF obligations where we provide a designated service (see section 6)

• Communicate with you about your affairs and our services

• Meet other legal and regulatory obligations (ATO, ASIC, AUSTRAC)

We do not sell your personal information.

5. Disclosure of your information

We may disclose information to:

• The ATO, ASIC, TPB, and other regulators as required or authorised by law

• AUSTRAC, where required under the AML/CTF Act

• Third-party service providers who support our practice (e.g. Xero, cloud hosting, IT support), under confidentiality obligations

• Your other professional advisers, with your authorisation

• Any other party required by law (e.g. court order)

Overseas disclosure (APP 8): Some of the cloud-based tools we use (e.g. Xero, Microsoft 365) may store or process data on servers located outside Australia. We take reasonable steps to ensure these providers handle information in a manner consistent with the APPs.

6. AML/CTF obligations (from 1 July 2026)

From 1 July 2026, accounting firms became "Tranche 2" reporting entities under the AML/CTF Act where they provide certain designated services — for example, assisting with company or trust formation, acting in relation to trustee appointments, or assisting with the sale or purchase of a business or real estate.

Where we provide a designated service to you, we are required to:

• Verify your identity, and the identity of beneficial owners, before or during the provision of that service (Customer Due Diligence)

• Ask for additional information about ownership, control, or source of funds where relevant

• Conduct ongoing monitoring of the business relationship

• Keep relevant records for at least 7 years

• Report certain matters to AUSTRAC, including suspicious matters, where required by law

We are legally prohibited from disclosing to you (or anyone else) that a suspicious matter report has been made ("tipping off"). This is a legal requirement, not a reflection of MTSE's practices.

General tax return preparation, routine bookkeeping, and standard advisory work are not designated services in themselves and do not, on their own, trigger these additional requirements.

7. Our obligations under the TPB Code of Professional Conduct

As registered tax agents, MTSE and our staff are bound by the TPB Code of Professional Conduct, which includes strict confidentiality obligations regarding client information. We will only disclose client information where you have consented, where required or authorised by law, or where necessary to comply with our professional and regulatory obligations (including AML/CTF reporting referred to above).

8. Data quality and security

We take reasonable steps to ensure the personal information we hold is accurate, up to date, and securely stored, including using access controls, encryption, and secure cloud platforms. We retain information only as long as necessary for the purposes above or as required by law (including the 7-year AML/CTF record-keeping requirement and standard tax record-keeping requirements).

9. Access and correction

You may request access to, or correction of, the personal information we hold about you by contacting us using the details in section 12. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe in accordance with the APPs.

10. Data breaches

If we become aware of a data breach likely to result in serious harm, we will notify affected individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) in accordance with the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme.

11. Complaints

If you have a concern about how we've handled your personal information, please contact us first (details below). If you're not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the OAIC at www.oaic.gov.au.

12. Cookies and our website

Our website may use cookies and analytics tools to understand site usage and improve our services. You can control cookies through your browser settings.

13. Contact us

MTSE Accountants & Business Advisors

114 Main Street, Pakenham; 11 Bair Street, Leongath; 223 Commercial Road, Yarram

Email: admin@mtse.com.au

Phone: 03 5922 2018

14. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. The current version will always be available on our website.