Privacy Policy

Last updated: 4 February 2026

Backyard Handbook (“we”, “us”, “our”) is operated by Julian Phillip O’Sullivan (ABN 20 835 104 968) in Victoria, Australia.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose and protect personal information when you use backyardhandbook.com.au (the “Site”).

If you have any questions about this policy, contact us at hello@backyardhandbook.com.au.

What personal information we collect

Depending on how you use the Site, we may collect the following types of information:

  • Contact details you provide (for example, name and email address if you subscribe to a newsletter or contact us)
  • Messages you send us (for example, via a contact form or email)
  • Usage and device information (for example, pages viewed, time on site, browser type, device type, approximate location, and referral source)
  • Cookie and tracking data (see “Cookies and analytics” below)

We do not intentionally collect sensitive information. If you believe you have provided sensitive information, please contact us so we can delete it where appropriate.

How we collect information

We collect information in these ways:

  • When you enter it on the Site (for example, subscribing, leaving a comment, or contacting us)
  • Automatically through cookies and similar technologies (for example, analytics and site performance tools)
  • Through third-party services that help us run the Site (for example, website hosting, email delivery, analytics tools)

How we use your information

We may use your information to:

  • Provide and improve the Site and its content
  • Respond to enquiries and provide support
  • Send emails you requested (for example, newsletters or checklists)
  • Measure performance (for example, understanding what content is useful)
  • Protect the Site (for example, security, spam prevention, and abuse detection)
  • Comply with legal obligations

Marketing emails

If you subscribe, we may send you emails that include guides, updates, and occasionally product or affiliate recommendations related to backyard life in Australia.

You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in any email, or by contacting us at hello@backyardhandbook.com.au.

Cookies and analytics

We may use cookies and similar technologies to:

  • Remember preferences
  • Understand how visitors use the Site (analytics)
  • Improve performance and user experience

Some cookies may be set by third parties (for example, analytics providers or embedded content).

You can manage cookies through your browser settings. Blocking cookies may impact how parts of the Site function.

Affiliate links and third-party websites

Backyard Handbook may include links to third-party websites, including affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you).

Third-party websites have their own privacy practices. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing personal information.

Embedded content

Articles on this Site may include embedded content (for example, videos, images, or social posts). Embedded content from other websites behaves in the same way as if you visited the other website directly.

Those websites may collect data about you, use cookies, embed additional third-party tracking, and monitor your interaction with that embedded content.

Comments

If comments are enabled, we may collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection.

Data storage and security

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss, and unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure.

However, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

How long we keep information

We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

Your rights (Australia)

You may request access to personal information we hold about you and request corrections if you believe it is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant, or misleading.

To make a request, contact hello@backyardhandbook.com.au.

If you believe we have not handled your personal information appropriately, you may be able to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

Children’s privacy

This Site is intended for a general audience and is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will be posted on this page with an updated “Last updated” date.

Helpful links