Last updated: 10 November 2026

Oz Visa & Education Consultants (OVEC, “we”, “us”, “our”) is a Canberra-based migration practice. Our registered migration agent is Sohail Cheema (MARN 1170438). We handle personal information in line with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles. This policy explains what information we collect, why, who we share it with, and how we protect it.

What information we collect

When you visit our website. Our website does not have contact or enquiry forms. We use Google Analytics (through the Google Site Kit plugin) to collect general information such as the pages you view, your device and browser, and your approximate location. This uses cookies. Our website also displays Google reviews through a third-party reviews widget.

When you book a consultation. We collect your name, email address, phone number and the time you choose through our Google Calendar appointment booking page. Payments, including payment in advance for a consultation, are processed by our payment providers, Stripe and Square. Your card details are handled by them. We do not see or store your full card number, but we keep a record of the payment, such as the amount, date and receipt.

When you engage us. To give migration advice and prepare applications we collect the information needed for your matter. This can include identity and passport details, contact details, immigration and travel history, family and relationship details, education, employment and financial information, skills assessments, English test results, and character and health information. Some of this is sensitive information, which we collect only with your consent or where the law allows, and only as needed to provide our services.

When you contact us. We keep records of your emails, calls, messages (including WhatsApp) and other communications with us.

Why we collect it

• to provide migration advice and services, and to prepare and lodge applications on your behalf;
• to communicate with you, arrange appointments and take payments;
• to meet our legal and professional obligations, including under the Migration Agents Code of Conduct and tax and record-keeping laws; and
• to understand how our website is used and improve it.

Who we share it with

We disclose your personal information only as needed for the purposes above. Depending on your matter, this can include:

• the Department of Home Affairs and other government agencies, and skills assessing authorities, when we lodge applications or correspond on your behalf;
• employers, sponsors, nominators, education providers and other parties you ask us to deal with;
• our service providers, including Google (email, calendar, storage and analytics), Stripe and Square (payments) and our website hosting provider;
• our accountants and professional advisers; and
• regulators or other parties where the law requires or authorises it, such as the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA).

We disclose information by secure electronic means such as online lodgement portals and email. Some of these providers, and some government agencies you ask us to deal with, may store or process information outside Australia. We take reasonable steps to make sure the providers we choose protect your information. We do not sell your personal information.

How we protect it

We keep information in password-protected systems, use two-step verification where it is available, limit access to those who need it, and keep our systems and website software up to date. No method of storing or sending information is completely secure, but we take reasonable steps to protect your information from misuse, loss and unauthorised access. We keep records for as long as the law requires, and then take reasonable steps to destroy or de-identify them.

Cookies and analytics

Google Analytics uses cookies to measure website use. You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings, or use Google’s opt-out tools. Blocking cookies will not stop you using our website.

Access, correction and complaints

You can ask to see the personal information we hold about you, or ask us to correct it, by contacting us through the WhatsApp chat on our website or by booking an appointment with us. We will respond within a reasonable time. If you have a privacy concern, contact us first and we will try to resolve it. If you are not satisfied, you can complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at oaic.gov.au.

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.

This policy is general information about how we handle personal information. It is not migration or legal advice.