Privacy Policy for Management of Personal Information
Hare Psychology (ABN 78 623 282 949) (Us, We, Our) is committed to providing quality psychological service to you, and this Privacy Policy outlines Our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how We manage your personal information We collect.
We are bound by the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) set out in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). The APPs govern the way in which We collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your personal information.
A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the website of The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.aoic.gov.au.
What is Personal and Sensitive Information, and how and why do We collect it?
Personal Information is information or opinion that identifies an individual, or from which an individual’s identity could be reasonably established.
Examples of Personal Information that We collect includes names, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers.
Sensitive Information is personal information that includes information or opinion about an individual’s racial or ethnic origin, political opinions or associations, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership or associations, sexual orientation or practices, criminal record, and health information.
We collect personal information as part of providing a relevant and informed psychological service.
Personal information is obtained in many ways including interviews, correspondence, telephone, email, and from third parties via referrals, correspondence and reports.
We don’t guarantee website links or policy of authorised third parties.
We collect your personal information for the primary purpose of providing the psychological service. If you do not wish for your personal information to be collected in the way anticipated by this Privacy Policy, We may not be in a position to provide the psychological service to you.
We may also use your personal information for secondary purposes closely related to the primary purpose, in circumstances where you would reasonably expect such use or disclosure.
When We collect personal information We will, where appropriate and where possible, explain to you why We are collecting the information and how We plan to use it.
Disclosure of Personal Information
Your personal information may be disclosed in a number of circumstances including the following:
• Where your prior approval has been obtained to provide a written report to a third party (e.g. your lawyer, a court/tribunal, your employer, the referring agent, or another health professional);
• Where your prior approval has been obtained to discuss your case with another person (e.g. your parent, carer, lawyer, health provider, or third-party referring funding agent);
• Where it is subpoenaed by a court or is otherwise required or mandated by law;
• Where failure to disclose the information would in the reasonable belief of Hare Psychology place you or another person at serious risk to life, health or safety.
Your personal information will not be used, sold, rented or disclosed for any other purpose.
Your personal information is not disclosed to overseas recipients, unless you consent, or such disclosure is otherwise required by law.
Security of Personal Information
Your personal information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.
Hard copy documents (such as case notes and pen and paper psychological tests) are maintained in a secure filing cabinet until the psychological service they were created for is finalised, at which point they are copied electronically and stored securely in their entirety on the Microsoft cloud service.
Personal information will be kept by Us for a minimum of 7 years, or until you reach age 25 if you are below 18 when you access Hare Psychology. After this, We will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your personal information.
In the event that unauthorised access, disclosure or loss of your personal information occurs, Hare Psychology will take all reasonable steps to minimise any risk of consequential serious harm.
Access to your Personal Information
At any time, you may request access to the personal information We hold about you and to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). If you wish to access your personal information, please contact Us in writing. Your request will be responded to within 30 days of receipt.
There are different ways in which you can access your information, which will be explained to you upon receipt of your request. Hare Psychology will not charge any fee for your access request, but We may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your personal information.
In order to protect your personal information, We will require identification from you before releasing the requested information.
Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information
It is an important to Hare Psychology that your personal information is true and correct. We will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete and up to date. If you find that the information We have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise Us as soon as practicable so We can update Our records and ensure We can continue to provide quality services to you.
Policy Updates
This Policy may change from time to time and is available on Our website.
Privacy Policy Complaints and Enquiries
If you have any queries or complaints about Our Privacy Policy, please contact Us at:
Hare Psychology
PO Box 120
Spit Junction
NSW 2088
E: caroline@harepsychology.com.au
T: 0424 717 413
If you wish to lodge a formal complaint about the use of, disclosure of, or access to, your personal information, you may do so with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner by phone on 1300 363 992, online at http://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/making-a-privacy-complaint, or by post to: Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, GPO Box 5218, Sydney, NSW 2001.