Create a bespoke document in minutes,聽or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership聽of your information
Non-Disclosure Agreement
I need a non-disclosure agreement to protect sensitive business information during discussions with a potential partner, ensuring confidentiality for a period of 3 years, with clear definitions of confidential information and exclusions, and including clauses for legal remedies in case of breach.
What is a Non-Disclosure Agreement?
A Non-Disclosure Agreement is a legally binding contract that protects sensitive business information by requiring people to keep specific details confidential. Companies across Australia use these agreements when sharing trade secrets, client lists, or valuable data with employees, contractors, or business partners.
Breaking an NDA in Australia can lead to serious legal consequences under contract law and the Corporations Act. Courts can order financial damages, issue injunctions to stop information leaks, or even pursue criminal charges if the breach involves corporate espionage. Most NDAs stay active for several years after business relationships end, giving lasting protection for company secrets.
When should you use a Non-Disclosure Agreement?
Use a Non-Disclosure Agreement before sharing sensitive business information with anyone outside your core team. This includes hiring new employees, pitching to investors, negotiating with potential business partners, or bringing in contractors. It's especially crucial when discussing trade secrets, client data, or upcoming product launches.
Many Australian businesses make NDAs part of their standard onboarding process. The agreement needs to be signed before any confidential discussions begin - trying to protect information after it's already been shared is much harder. This matters most in competitive industries like tech, manufacturing, and professional services, where leaked information can seriously damage your market position.
What are the different types of Non-Disclosure Agreement?
- One-Way NDAs protect information flowing from one party to another - perfect for hiring situations or when pitching to investors
- Mutual NDAs cover both parties sharing confidential details - common in partnerships, mergers, or joint ventures
- Time-Limited NDAs set specific expiry dates for confidentiality obligations, usually 2-5 years in Australia
- Project-Specific NDAs focus on particular deals or collaborations, clearly defining what information is protected
- Employee NDAs include special provisions about intellectual property and ongoing obligations after employment ends
Who should typically use a Non-Disclosure Agreement?
- Business Owners: Initiate and enforce NDAs to protect trade secrets, client lists, and strategic plans
- HR Managers: Include NDAs in employment contracts and manage confidentiality during hiring
- Professional Service Providers: Sign NDAs before accessing client data, including lawyers, accountants, and consultants
- Investors and VCs: Review sensitive financial information during due diligence under NDA protection
- Corporate Legal Teams: Draft, customize, and update NDAs to match specific business needs and Australian law
- Contractors and Freelancers: Agree to protect client information while working on specific projects
How do you write a Non-Disclosure Agreement?
- Define Your Scope: List exactly what information needs protection - trade secrets, client data, processes, or intellectual property
- Identify Parties: Include full legal names and ABNs of all businesses and individuals involved
- Set Time Limits: Decide how long confidentiality obligations will last after the agreement ends
- Specify Permissions: Detail who can access the information and under what circumstances
- Add Consequences: Outline clear penalties for breaches under Australian law
- Review Format: Our platform generates legally-sound NDAs tailored to your specific needs, ensuring all essential elements are included
What should be included in a Non-Disclosure Agreement?
- Party Details: Full legal names, ABNs, and registered addresses of all involved parties
- Confidential Information: Clear definition of what information is protected, including examples
- Permitted Use: Specific ways the receiving party can use or share the information
- Duration: Start date and length of confidentiality obligations
- Return of Information: Rules for handling data after agreement ends
- Breach Consequences: Specific remedies and compensation for violations
- Jurisdiction: Australian state law that governs the agreement
- Signature Block: Space for dated signatures from authorized representatives
What's the difference between a Non-Disclosure Agreement and a Non-Compete Agreement?
While Non-Disclosure Agreements focus on protecting confidential information, a Non-Compete Agreement serves a different but related purpose in Australian business relationships. Understanding these distinctions helps you choose the right tool for your situation.
- Scope of Protection: NDAs specifically protect confidential information from being shared, while non-compete agreements prevent someone from competing with your business in a specific market or geographic area
- Duration and Enforcement: NDAs can last indefinitely for trade secrets, but non-compete agreements must have reasonable time limits under Australian law to be enforceable
- Common Usage: NDAs are used widely across industries and relationships, while non-compete agreements typically focus on employment relationships and business sales
- Legal Scrutiny: Courts generally uphold well-drafted NDAs, but carefully examine non-compete agreements to ensure they don't unreasonably restrict someone's ability to earn a living
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
骋别苍颈别鈥檚 Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here鈥檚 how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; 骋别苍颈别鈥檚 AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a 拢1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.