Cookie Policy
Our Cookie Commitment
The Disability Services Exchange (DSX) uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, provide essential functionality, and analyze usage patterns. This policy explains what cookies we use, why we use them, and how you can control them.
Last Updated: April 2026
| Review Cycle: Quarterly
| Consent Required: Marketing cookies only
Privacy First
Essential cookies only by default. Marketing cookies require your explicit consent.
Simple Choices
Simple consent model: essential cookies always on, marketing requires your permission.
Transparency
Clear information about every cookie type, purpose, and data collection practices.
Minimal Data
We collect only necessary data and store cookies for the shortest time required.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that websites place on your device when you visit them. They help websites remember information about your visit, such as your preferred language and other settings. This makes your next visit easier and more personalized.
Types of Cookies We Use
Essential Cookies (Always Active)
These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly and cannot be switched off. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services.
Authentication Cookies
- Purpose: Keep you logged in
- Duration: Session or 7 days
- Data: Encrypted session tokens
- Third-party: No
Security Cookies
- Purpose: CSRF protection
- Duration: Session only
- Data: Security tokens
- Third-party: No
Functionality Cookies
- Purpose: Remember preferences
- Duration: 30 days
- Data: Language, theme settings
- Third-party: No
Accessibility Cookies
- Purpose: Accessibility preferences
- Duration: 365 days
- Data: Font size, contrast settings
- Third-party: No
Analytics Cookies (Legitimate Interest)
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. Under Australian Privacy Act 1988, we process this data under legitimate interest as it is anonymized and stored on Australian servers.
Usage Analytics
- Purpose: Page views, user journeys
- Duration: 24 months
- Data: Anonymized usage patterns
- Provider: Google Analytics (Australia)
Performance Monitoring
- Purpose: Error tracking, performance
- Duration: 30 days
- Data: Error logs, load times
- Provider: Sentry (self-hosted)
Data Protection: All analytics data is anonymized, IP addresses are masked, and data is stored exclusively in Australian data centres. We do not share this data with third parties for marketing purposes.
Marketing Cookies (Requires Consent)
Marketing cookies are only set with your explicit consent, in compliance with the Australian Spam Act 2003. These cookies are used to deliver relevant communications.
- Purpose: Email marketing preferences
- Duration: 365 days
- Default: Disabled (opt-in only)
- Third-party: No
Other Data Processing (Covered by Terms of Service)
The following processing activities are not cookie-based and are covered by our Terms of Service:
- AI Content Review: Automated review of provider profiles for quality and compliance
- Provider Directory Listing: Display of your profile in the public provider directory
- Research Data: Anonymized usage data for platform improvement
These are required for platform operation. See our Terms of Service for full details.
Cookies We Don't Use
Privacy Commitment:
- No Advertising Cookies: We don't use cookies for targeted advertising
- No Social Media Tracking: No Facebook Pixel, Twitter analytics, etc.
- No Cross-site Tracking: We don't track your activity on other websites
- No Behavioral Profiling: We don't create detailed user profiles for marketing
- No Data Brokers: We don't sell cookie data to third parties
Cookie Consent & Management
Your Consent Choices
Simplified Consent Model:
We've simplified our cookie consent to make your choices clearer. Per Australian Privacy Act 1988 and Spam Act 2003:
- Essential Cookies: Always active (required for platform functionality)
- Analytics Cookies: Enabled under legitimate interest (anonymized, AU servers)
- Marketing Cookies: Opt-in only (requires your explicit consent)
- No Dark Patterns: Clear, honest consent without manipulation
Cookie Categories
How to Manage Cookies
Through DSX Settings
- • Access cookie preferences in your account settings
- • Toggle specific cookie categories on/off
- • Changes take effect immediately
- • Settings remembered across devices when logged in
Through Your Browser
- • Block all cookies (may break functionality)
- • Delete existing cookies
- • Set cookie expiration preferences
- • Use private/incognito browsing
Browser-Specific Instructions
Google Chrome
Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data → See all cookies and site data → Search for "dsx.org.au"
Mozilla Firefox
Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data → Manage Data → Search for "dsx.org.au"
Safari
Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data → Search for "dsx.org.au" → Remove
Microsoft Edge
Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and data stored → See all cookies and site data
Third-Party Services
External Services We Use
Google Analytics (Optional)
- Purpose: Website usage analytics
- Data Location: Australia (Google Cloud Sydney)
- IP Anonymization: Enabled
- Data Retention: 26 months
- Opt-out: Google Analytics Opt-out
Content Delivery Network (CDN)
- Purpose: Faster page loading
- Provider: Australian-based CDN
- Cookies: None
- Data: Only technical delivery data
Cookie Retention & Deletion
Automatic Cookie Management
- Session Cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
- Authentication: Expire after 7 days of inactivity
- Preferences: Stored for up to 1 year, updated with changes
- Analytics: Automatically deleted after 24 months
- Account Deletion: All associated cookies removed immediately
Legal Basis & Compliance
Australian Privacy Law Compliance
- Privacy Act 1988: Full compliance with Australian Privacy Principles
- Telecommunications Act: Adherence to online privacy requirements
- Notifiable Data Breaches: Established procedures for cookie-related incidents
- Consent Standards: Clear, informed, and withdrawable consent
- Data Minimization: Only necessary cookies with minimal data collection
Impact of Disabling Cookies
Essential Cookies Disabled
Impact: You cannot log in, access your account, or use personalized features. The platform may not function correctly and security features will be compromised.
Analytics Cookies Disabled
Impact: No impact on functionality. We cannot improve the platform based on usage patterns, but all features remain available.
Updates to Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in technology, legal requirements, or our practices. Significant changes will be notified through email or platform announcements at least 30 days before taking effect.
Managing Your Cookie Preferences
Cookie Settings
Access: Account Settings → Privacy → Cookies
Change preferences anytime
For questions about cookies or this policy, please visit our Contact Us page.
Cookie Audit: Last reviewed April 2026
| Next Review: July 2026
| Compliance Check: Monthly automated scans
Related Privacy Documents
© 2026 Disability Services Exchange. Committed to privacy and transparency.
This cookie policy complies with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and international best practices.