Purpose 

Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on its corporate and school websites. In some case, these technologies are provided by third-party service providers acting on our behalf. to: 

  • Ensure websites function correctly. 
  • Improve user experience and accessibility. 
  • Understand how our websites are used. 
  • Support communication and improve the effectiveness of our services (including marketing and service delivery). 

This statement explains how these technologies are used, what information they collect, and how you can manage your browser settings. Depending on how these technologies are used, the information collected may constitute personal information under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). This statement should be read together with our Privacy Statement. The current version of this Privacy Statement is published at www.bne.catholic.edu.au (our website). References to the School (and we, us, our) include BCE and BCEO. 

1. What are Cookies? 

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device when you visit a website. They allow the website to recognise your browser and remember information such as: 

  • Session state (e.g. being logged in). 
  • Preferences. 
  • Website usage behaviour. 

We also use related technologies such as pixels, tags, scripts and embedded content, which may collect similar information. 

2. How we use Cookies 

Cookies used on School websites fall into the following categories. While some cookies are necessary for the website to function, you can manage others through your browser settings (see Section 5). 

a) Strictly necessary (essential) 

These are required for the website to function and cannot be switched off. 

Examples include: 

  • Session management and security tokens. 
  • Authentication state. 
  • Load balancing and performance routing. 

These are primarily delivered via our website platform and supporting infrastructure. 

b) Functional 

These support website features and improve usability. 

Examples include:

  • Video playback (e.g. YouTube, Vimeo).
  • Interactive maps (e.g. Google Maps).
  • Form functionality and enquiry tracking.

These technologies may collect device and usage information, and in some cases user-submitted data (e.g. enquiry forms).

c) Analytics

We use analytics tools to help us understand how visitors interact with our websites.

Examples include:

  • Google Analytics (GA4). Information about how Google Analytics collects and processes data is available in Google's Privacy Policy and Google Analytics Terms of Service.
  • Event tracking, such as clicks, navigation and enrolment enquiries.

These technologies may collect:

  • Device and browser information.
  • Pages visited and interactions.
  • Pseudonymous identifiers.

Some analytics data may be processed outside Australia.

d) Marketing and advertising

These are used to measure and support communications and advertising effectiveness.

Examples include:

  • Google Ads and conversion tracking.
  • Microsoft Advertising.
  • Meta (Facebook and Instagram) technologies.

These may collect:

  • Interaction and browsing behaviour.
  • Device identifiers and advertising identifiers.

Some information may be linked to third-party accounts if users are logged in to those services.

3. Third-party and Externally Hosted Services

Some School webpages include links to, or embed content from, third-party services.

Examples include:

  • Social media platforms (such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn). 
  • Video hosting platforms (such as YouTube and Vimeo). 
  • Online forms and booking systems (such as Microsoft Forms, Digistorm and TryBooking). 
  • External applications and services (such as Google Maps).

When you interact with these services:

  • Content may be provided by the third party, or.
  • You may be directed to a third-party website.

In these circumstances:

  • The School does not control or have responsibility for how those third parties collect or use your information.
  • Your information will be handled in accordance with the third party’s privacy policy and terms. 

4. Overseas Disclosure

Some cookies and tracking technologies used on School websites involve providers that operate internationally. This means that your information may be processed in countries outside of Australia including where services such as analytics, advertising and cloud hosting are delivered.

5. Managing Cookies

You can manage cookies through your web browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:

  • Block or delete cookies.
  • Control how cookies are handled.
  • Set preferences for specific websites.

Please note:

  • Disabling cookies may affect website functionality.
  • Some features of the website may not operate as intended without cookies.

6. Updates to this statement

We may update this Cookie and Tracking Technologies Statement from time to time to reflect:

  • Changes in technology.
  • Updates to website functionality.
  • Legal or regulatory requirements.

The latest version will always be available on this page.

7. Contact Us

If you would like further information about how Brisbane Catholic Education or a school uses cookies or manages personal information, please complete the Enquiries Form.

If you wish to make a complaint about the handling of your personal information, or believe that Brisbane Catholic Education or a school has breached the Australian Privacy Principles, please see our BCE Complaints Policy page for information about the complaints process and how to submit a complaint. 

The School will investigate any complaint and will notify you of a decision in relation to your complaint as soon as is practicable after it has been made.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) via the OAIC website https://www.oaic.gov.au.