Who is VESI?

VESI stands for Victorian Electricity Supply Industry – an industry group formed by Victoria’s electricity distributors. Current members are:

• CitiPower Pty Ltd ABN 76 064 651 056
• Powercor Australia Ltd ABN 89 064 651 109
• AusNet Electricity Services Pty Ltd ABN 91 064 651 118
• Jemena Electricity Networks (Vic) Ltd ABN 82 064 651 083 (Jemena)
• United Energy Distribution Pty Ltd ABN 70 064 651 029

The VESI website is jointly established by the VESI members to provide relevant industry information to members of the public.

Currently, the website is managed by Jemena. However, management may transfer to another VESI member at any time and this Privacy Statement will be updated to reflect any such change.

Each VESI member must comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act) and you can view the privacy policies of each member on their respective websites:

AusNet: Privacy – AusNet

Citipower and Powercor: Privacy and disclaimer | CitiPower & Powercor

Jemena: Privacy Policy | Jemena

United Energy: Privacy and disclaimer – United Energy

Terminology

In this Privacy Statement, the expressions “we”, “us” and “our” are a reference to the VESI member who is, at the relevant time, the manager of the website.

The expressions “you” and “your” refer to the individual whose personal information we may handle from time to time.

The expression “personal information” is used in this Privacy Statement to refer to information or an opinion about an individual whose identity is apparent, or can reasonably be ascertained, from the information or opinion.

A reference to VEDN is a reference to the Victorian Electrical Distribution Networks, a committee of VESI. VEDN is responsible for accrediting contractors who are involved in the civil aspects of underground electrical infrastructure

Purpose

The purpose of this Privacy Statement is to set out how we handle your personal information. In particular, what kind of personal information we collect, how it is held, the purposes for which it is collected and held, who it is shared with, how you may access and correct that information and how you may make a complaint if you think we have mishandled your information.

Consent

By providing your personal information or electing to utilise the website, you consent to us using your personal information in a manner consistent with this Privacy Statement.

How we collect personal information

We typically collect personal information directly from you when you use the website to either submit an inquiry or sign up for VESI services (including VESI update service and VEDN accreditation).

However, we may also obtain personal information indirectly from:

• users of the website, such as information provided when registering for VEDN accreditation; and
• from other VESI members, but this will be for the purposes of providing you with VESI services.

If we do not collect your personal information we may not be able to provide the services that you request.

As you access the website, cookies are used to enhance your browsing experience. These cookies collect information that may constitute personal information, such as your IP address and browsing behaviour. If you do not agree with the use of cookies, please set your browser preferences to reject all cookies before accessing the VESI website. This may affect your browsing experience.

Type of personal information we collect

The personal information we collect will vary depending on the circumstances, but we will only collect information about an individual that is relevant to the VESI services sought. For example, we may collect your name and contact details from you when you subscribe to VESI update services or when you make an inquiry. When you apply for VEDN accreditation we may collect contact details and personal information of others (such as names, job roles, contact details) contained in training certificates, accreditations and audit reports.

We will not collect sensitive personal information without your consent.

Occasionally we will be provided with personal information that is not considered relevant to the particular VESI service sought. We will not use such information and will endeavour to delete such information so that it is not stored within the hosting network.

Use and disclosure of personal information

We only use your personal information in connection with the original reasons for collection, or in other ways which we believe you would reasonably expect. In this regard, we will generally use your personal information for one or more of the following purposes, to:

• identify users of the VESI website and services;
• provide and improve services to users including by way of data analytics;
• maintain services provided to users of the website; and
• comply with legal obligations.

We will also disclose personal information to: 

• other VESI members who are responsible for particular VESI services; and
• to the public, as part of the VEDN register.

We might also disclose personal information to the website hosting provider, maintenance personnel or other service providers or contractors (including outsourced and cloud service providers) who may be unable to avoid accessing personal information in the course of providing technical or other support services for the VESI website. 

We will take reasonable steps to make sure that the personal information we collect, use or disclose is accurate, complete and up-to-date when using or disclosing information, and having regard to the purpose of the use and disclosure.

Direct Marketing

We will not use or disclose personal information for the purposes of direct marketing unless:

• you have consented to receive direct marketing materials; or
• you would reasonably expect us to use your personal details for this purpose.

In every instance, we will ensure that our direct marketing material incorporates an option for you to elect to receive no further communications.

Also note that even if you have requested not to receive further direct marketing communications, we may nevertheless continue to provide you with information about other VESI services, questionnaires and other factual information.

Overseas disclosure

Typically, personal information will be stored on our hosting provider’s information network within Australia

VESI members may send personal information offshore to their related bodies corporate, as permitted by the Privacy Act and their respective privacy policies. In addition, it is possible that we, or our contractors, will utilise cloud and other technologies in connection with the storage of personal information, and it is possible that this may result in offshore storage. It is not practicable for us to specify, in advance, which countries the personal information may be stored. However, all of our contractors are required to comply with the Privacy Act in relation to the use, transfer or storage of personal information overseas. 

Data Security

We will take reasonable steps to protect the personal information which we hold from misuse or loss and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. We do this by having physical and electronic security systems, and limiting who can access your personal information.

When using the website, you should be aware that no data transmission over the internet can be guaranteed to be totally secure. Although we strive to protect such information, we do not warrant the security of any information that you transmit to us over the internet and you do so at your own risk.

Openness

From time to time, we may change this Privacy Statement setting out how personal information is handled. Any changes to this Statement will be published on the website. You may obtain a copy of the current Privacy Statement from the website, or you may contact the VESI member on the details below.

Access, Correction and Further Information

We will provide you with access to your personal information held by us as permitted under the Privacy Act. 

Please use the contact details below if you:

• wish to have access to the personal information which we hold about you;
• consider that the personal information which we hold about you is inaccurate, incomplete or is not up to date; or
• require further information on our personal information handling practices.

There is no charge for requesting access to your personal information, but we may require you to meet our reasonable costs in actually providing you with access.

We will respond to all requests for access and/or correction within a reasonable period.

Complaints

If you have a complaint about the way in which we have handled any privacy issue, including your request for access or correction of your personal information, please advise us via the contact details below.

We will respond to your complaint within a reasonable period.

If you are dissatisfied with the way in which we have handled a privacy issue, we suggest you approach an independent adviser or contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner for guidance on alternative courses of action which may be available.

Contact Details

Email: vesi@jemena.com.au 

For further privacy information, please refer to the Privacy Commissioner’s website (www.privacy.gov.au).

DATE: August, 2025