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What is an Australian Certified Website®?
A website that has successfully passed our certification process - they are 100% Australian through and through. (see our terms and conditions)

What does the slogan "restoring confidence" mean?
Many Australians have lost confidence in the world wide web with online scams, identity theift and more recently traders claiming that they are in Australia conducting their businesses when infact they are overseas trying to scam hardworking Aussies out of more and more money everyday.
We aim to restore consumer confidence in knowing who they are conducting business with online.

What is the certification process?
We have a checklist that we go through to audit your website. (see our terms and conditions).

Is ACW competent to certify your website? Read more here.

How much does it cost?
The application fee is $30.

Is the logo Australian Registered Trademark?
Yes, the Gold Logo is a Registered Certification Trade Mark. Visit IP Australia for more information.

Does our website have to link to yours?
All successful website may display our logo on their homepage. You will be given a link to a dedicated page showcasing your site.

How do I apply?
Click the APPLY button on our website.

How long does the application take?
The application process will take between 1 to 24 hours. Exceptions may include weekends and public holidays.

How long does the certification last?
The certification is valid for twelve (12) months. We will re-audit your site (to ensure that nothing has changed) and you will be invited to renew your certification.

Will you promote my website?
MY OATH we will... We are very proud that you are Australian. In August 2010 ACW are kicking off an advertising campaign including TV, newspapers and magazines.

Can we see an example of a certified site?
Yes, click the Certified Sites button on the homepage to see who is certified.

Who should I direct my enquiries to?
My name is Jessica Urquhart (founder of Australian Certified Website®), you can phone me, email me or enquire online.

Are you a government body?
No, we are independent of Australian government.

Who developed the certification rules?
The certification rules were developed in collaboration with both consumers and website owners (from a range of different industries) and have been approved by the ACCC see more here.

If you like our certification please send in your application and let your friends know about us.

“Our goal is for consumers to have a place to find Aussie Websites and gain trust in our logo. We are not a business directory, nor will we accept all applications - we have a strict process and only 100% Australian sites will be successful.”

More Information - how do ACW audit websites? ACW uses public information along with assistance from website owners to ensure our conditions are met. We do not have any special methods or secret tools to audit websites - anyone can perform these audits. As auditing websites takes time, our aim is to showcase all of these websites so you dont have to use your valuable time doing this.

1. Applications must be completed using our application form on ACW website.
2. Website owners must reside in Australia. ACW may ask websites to provide more personal information to establish this including proof of address. 
3. Registered Businesses must display relevant ABN, ACN or state or territory business numbers on their website.
4. If businesses require specific licences to conduct business, these too must be displayed on the website.
5. Reasonable contact methods include telephone contact, email, live chat. What is not reasonable? Having absolutely NO forms of contact on your website. Some websites are operated from home (home based businesses) and do not wish to display their telephone numbers. ACW stores telephone numbers, contact names, addresses. If a person wants to get in contact with a website who removes their contact methods we can contact the site owner on your behalf.
6. The owner of the website must have Australian telephone numbers. ACW may ask website owners to provide more information to establish this including copies of telephone bills.
7. The owner of the website must reside in Australia. Checks that may be conducted to audit this requirement are proof of residence documents that can be collected by ACW.
8. ACW approves websites who import stock however the stock must be distributed from within Australia (no overseas dropshipping will be approved). Upon application each applicant declares that their stock is located in Australia. ACW randomly purchases items from certified websites to audit this requirement.
9. ACW looks at feedback, testimonials as well as maintaining telephone contact with websites to fulfil this requirement. We also randomly purchase items from some websites.
10. ACW checks website content to ensure that there is no discriminatin, illegal or offensive content. What do we find discriminating, illegal or offensive? You can view this content here (Internet Industry Association).
11. ACMA codes of practice can be found here (ACMA). 18+ content must contain warnings to consumers that 18+ content is included.
12. IIA Gambling Codes can be found here (IIA Interactive Gambling Industry Code).
13. Payment options offered by websites must be through an Australian banking institute (where direct deposit is a payment option). PayPal has proven to be a safe and secure payment method. PayPal Australia conducts it's own audits on PayPal accounts (in conjuntion with the Australian government), where if a certain threshold is met (receiving payments) account holders must prove their identities and business information to PayPal or their accounts will be suspended.

PayPal

- Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) www.acma.gov.au

- Internet Industry Association (IIA) www.ia.net.au

- Internet Industry Association (IIA) Codes of Practice

- The Australian Guidelines for Electronic Commerce

- Spam Act 2003 - A Practical Guide for Businesses

- Trade Practices Act 1974

- Privacy Act 1988

- Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Scams and Online Shopping

- Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) SCAMwatch

- e-business guide - an Australian guide to doing business online 

- Information about Intellectual Property (patents, trademarks) IP Australia 

Please contact Australian Certified Website® if you have any queries.

Contact: Jessica Urquhart | Mobile: 0428 813 190 | Email: admin@australiancertified.com.au | ACW BLOG | ACW on FACEBOOK | ACW on TWITTER