Legal · Privacy
How Coursefind.app collects, uses and protects your information when you search and compare university programmes — and the privacy rights available to you wherever you are in the world.
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Section 1
Who we are.
Coursefind.app (“Coursefind”, “we”, “us” or “our”) is a free international course search engine that helps students and parents discover and compare university programmes around the world.
Coursefind.app is a registered business name of Surf Coast IT Solutions Pty Ltd (ABN 73 652 995 018), an Australian company. We are the data controller responsible for your personal information under this policy.
Registered office (address for service)
5 Burke Ct, Grovedale VIC 3216, Australia
Principal place of business
4-6 Gilbert St, Torquay VIC 3228, Australia
Privacy & compliance contact
This policy applies to our marketing site at coursefind.app and our search application at search.coursefind.app (together, the “Platform”) and should be read with our Cookie Policy, Terms of Service and Acceptable Use Policy.
Section 2
Information we collect.
You can search Coursefind without creating an account or telling us your name. The information we collect falls into the categories below.
What we collect
- Collected automatically — your IP address and approximate location (such as country or region), browser type and version, operating system and device type, the pages you view and links you click, the date and time of your visit, and the website that referred you.
- Search activity — the search queries and filters you enter, for example course or programme names, country, study level, duration and intake month. We use this to return results and to understand which searches are popular.
- Information you provide — if you email us, we receive your email address and anything you choose to include in your message.
- Account information (coming soon) — we do not currently offer accounts. When saved shortlists and accounts launch, we will collect details such as your name, email address and saved preferences. This policy will be updated before those features go live.
- Cookies & similar technologies — we use cookies for analytics and functionality. See our Cookie Policy for full details and how to control them.
Section 3
How we use your information.
We use the information described above only for the following purposes.
- To operate the Platform — running, maintaining and securing the website and search engine, and returning relevant course results.
- To improve our service — understanding how the Platform is used and which searches are popular so we can make it better.
- To keep things working — diagnosing technical problems, preventing abuse, and improving performance and reliability.
- To respond to you — handling your enquiries and any data-correction requests.
- To meet legal obligations — complying with applicable law and enforcing our Terms of Service.
We do not use your information for automated decision-making that produces legal or similarly significant effects about you.
Section 4
Legal bases for processing.
If you are in the UK, the EEA or another region with similar laws, we rely on the following legal bases under the GDPR.
| Purpose | Legal basis |
|---|---|
| Operating & securing the Platform; analytics and improvement | Our legitimate interests in running and improving a useful, reliable service |
| Non-essential cookies and similar tracking | Your consent, which you can withdraw at any time |
| Providing future account features | Performance of a contract with you |
| Meeting legal, tax and regulatory duties | Legal obligation |
Section 5
Cookies and tracking.
We use strictly necessary, analytics and functional cookies. Analytics cookies (such as those used by Google Analytics) help us understand aggregate usage; functional cookies remember preferences such as your selected country or currency display.
Full details — including cookie categories, durations and how to opt out — are set out in our Cookie Policy. We do not use cookies to build advertising profiles about you.
Section 6
Third-party services.
We rely on trusted third parties to deliver the Platform.
- Analytics providers — such as Google Analytics, which help us measure and improve how the Platform is used.
- Hosting & infrastructure providers — who store and serve the Platform securely.
- Social media platforms — we link to or embed content from services such as YouTube, Pinterest, Vimeo, Tumblr and Dribbble. These platforms may set their own cookies and collect data under their own privacy policies.
These providers process information only on our instructions under appropriate data-processing agreements, except where they act as independent controllers under their own policies (as with embedded social media content).
Section 7
How we share your information.
- With the service providers described above, so they can perform services for us.
- Where required by law, regulation, legal process or a valid request from a public authority.
- To protect rights and safety — of Coursefind, our users or others, and to prevent fraud or abuse.
- In connection with a business transfer (such as a merger, acquisition or sale of assets), subject to the protections in this policy.
Section 8
International data transfers.
Coursefind serves a global audience, and our service providers may be located in countries different from yours, including Australia, the United States and the European Union. This means your information may be transferred to, stored in or processed in a country whose data-protection laws differ from those where you live.
Where we transfer personal data out of the UK or EEA, we use appropriate safeguards such as the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses or an equivalent mechanism.
Section 9
How long we keep your data.
We keep personal information only for as long as necessary for the purposes set out in this policy.
- Analytics & usage data — retained in identifiable form for up to 26 months, after which it is deleted or aggregated.
- Email correspondence — kept for as long as needed to handle your enquiry and for a reasonable period afterwards.
- Account data (once accounts launch) — kept until you delete your account, plus any period required by law.
Section 10
How we protect your data.
We use reasonable technical and organisational measures — including encryption in transit (HTTPS), access controls and a Content Security Policy — to protect information against unauthorised access, loss or misuse.
No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security, but we take the protection of your data seriously and review our measures regularly.
Section 11
Your privacy rights.
Depending on where you live, you may have some or all of the rights below. To exercise any of them, email compliance@coursefind.app and we will respond within the time required by applicable law.
UK & EEA (GDPR)
You can access, correct, erase, restrict or object to processing of your personal data, request data portability, and withdraw consent at any time.
Also: the right to complain to your local data-protection supervisory authority.
California & US states
You may have the right to know what personal information we collect, to request its deletion, and to opt out of any “sale” or “sharing” of personal information.
Note: we do not sell your data, and we will not discriminate against you for exercising these rights.
Australia (Privacy Act)
Under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles, you may request access to and correction of your personal information.
Also: you may complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at oaic.gov.au.
Sections 12–14
Children, external links & updates.
Children’s privacy
The Platform is intended for prospective students and their families and is not directed at children under the age of 16 (or under 13 where that is the applicable threshold). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact compliance@coursefind.app and we will delete it.
Links to other websites
The Platform links to external websites, including official university pages and social media platforms. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those websites, and we encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing them with any information.
Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology or legal requirements. When we do, we will revise the “effective” date shown at the top of this page. If we make material changes, we will take reasonable steps to notify you. Your continued use of the Platform after changes take effect means you accept the updated policy.
Frequently asked
Privacy questions, answered.
Do you sell my personal data?
No. We never sell your personal information. We share data only with service providers who help us run the Platform, where required by law, to protect rights and safety, or in connection with a business transfer — all as described in this policy.
Do I need an account to use Coursefind?
No. You can search and compare courses without creating an account or giving us your name. Accounts and saved shortlists are coming soon; when they launch we will update this policy before collecting any account information.
How do I access, correct or delete my data?
Email compliance@coursefind.app with your request. We will verify it where needed and respond within the timeframe required by the law that applies to you.
Do you track me with cookies?
We use strictly necessary, analytics and functional cookies — not advertising profiles. You can control non-essential cookies through your browser, any cookie banner we display, and the Google Analytics opt-out. See our Cookie Policy for details.
Where is my data stored?
Coursefind serves a global audience and our providers may be located in Australia, the United States or the EU, so your data may be processed outside your home country. Where required, we use safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses for international transfers.
Section 15
How to contact us.
Questions about your privacy?
Our compliance team handles privacy requests, data-access enquiries and corrections. We’re here to help you understand and control your information.
Contact our privacy team