Last updated: 2 November 2026

1. Who we are

This policy applies to Backyard Bores & Geotech Drilling Pty Ltd (“we”, “us”), our website backyardbores.com and the services we provide.

We are a small business, and we have chosen to opt in to the Privacy Act 1988. That means we follow the Australian Privacy Principles in how we collect, use, store and share your personal information.

2. What we collect

When you contact us, ask for a quote, or we do work for you

your name, phone number, email address and postal address
the address of the property and details about the work, the site and any existing bore or pump
where a site requires it to let us on, identity details for site access

When you use our Bore Search

You don't need to give us your name to search. Each time someone searches, our website automatically records:

the address or place searched, and its map location
your internet (IP) address
the general type of browser or device used
the date and time, and how many bores were found

The address you type is also sent to our mapping provider so it can find that location on the map.

When you ask us to email you a bore report

your name, email address, phone number (optional) and the address you searched
we receive a copy of every report we send
to stop the form being misused to send emails to other people, we keep your IP address and a scrambled (coded) version of the email address for 90 days, then delete them automatically

When you apply for work with us

The information you include in your application.

Cookies, spam protection and site statistics

Our website uses cookies and similar browser storage to remember settings (such as light or dark mode) and for security.
Our forms use an automated spam check, run by an outside provider, which looks at how the page is being used to tell people from automated programs.
We collect visit statistics (such as which pages are popular) that do not identify you.

You can set your browser to refuse cookies, but some parts of the site may not work properly.

3. Why we collect it

to answer your questions, quote, and do the work you ask for
to send you the bore report you asked for
to understand where people are looking for groundwater, so we can improve Bore Search and the information we publish
to keep our website safe, and to spot and stop spam and misuse
to provide warranty and after-sales service
to meet our legal obligations

4. Who we share it with

We do not sell your personal information. We only share it:

with outside service providers that help us run our website and business, for example website hosting, database storage, email, mapping, spam protection and site statistics. They may only use it to provide their service to us.
with contractors working on your job, and only once your on-site attendance is confirmed
with another drilling company, if your property is outside the area we service. We will contact you before we do this.
with government agencies, where the law requires it

5. Is my information sent overseas?

Our website and our records are hosted in Sydney, Australia. Some of our service providers are based overseas, including in the United States, so some information (for example, an address typed into Bore Search, or the spam check on our forms) may be processed there.

6. How long we keep it

Customer and job records: as long as we need them for the work, warranty, and our legal and tax obligations.
Bore Search records: kept as a long-term record of where people are looking for groundwater.
Report-email misuse records: deleted automatically after 90 days.

7. How we protect it

We take reasonable steps to protect your information from misuse, loss and unauthorised access. Our website uses encrypted (HTTPS) connections, our records are password-protected, and access is limited to the people who need it for their work.

8. Contacting you

If we have done work for you, we may contact you about your bore or pump, for example to remind you that a warranty is about to expire, or that a bore clean, pump service or check-up may be due. You can ask us to stop at any time, and any reminder email will tell you how.

9. Automated decisions

We do not use computer programs to make decisions about you. Bore Search results and estimates describe ground and water conditions near an address, not people.

10. Seeing or correcting your information

You can ask to see the personal information we hold about you, or ask us to correct it. Contact us using the details below. We will respond within 30 days. If we can't give you access, we will tell you why.

11. Questions and complaints

If you have a question, or think we have mishandled your personal information, please contact us first:

Email: admin@backyardbores.com
Phone: 1800 193 194

We will look into it and reply within 30 days. If you are not happy with our response, you can complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at oaic.gov.au or on 1300 363 992.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The latest version is always on this page, with the date it was last updated at the top.

Privacy Policy