Sydney Hills Counselling recognises that your sensitive information, which has been disclosed to us, needs special care and protection. We are required by law, as detailed in the Information Privacy Act 2000, to comply with a strict code of conduct to maintain the privacy of all personal information on record. This Privacy Policy complies with the Privacy Principles set out in the Act and explains how we apply them in practice. Further information on these principles is available on the website of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy-law/privacy-act/australian-privacy-principles
Sydney Hills Counselling collects personal and sensitive information and undertakes to hold it in a secure manner. In addition to the Privacy Principles, Sydney Hills Counselling also adheres to the Psychologists and Counsellors Federation of Australia (PACFA) Guidelines for Clinical Records. Further information on these guidelines is available on the website of PACFA Guidelines for Clinical Records
Information is collected directly from correspondence, phone calls and e-mails, intake interviews and clinical sessions. Sydney Hills Counselling collects, uses and holds only information relevant to the conduct of its business as a counselling service. Sydney Hills Counselling will only use your personal information for the purpose for which it is collected.
(Our website may contain hyperlinks to other websites. This privacy policy does not apply to those sites.)
Sydney Hills Counselling undertakes to maintain a high quality of data on record and to update that information as appropriate to the function it serves. Additional personal information will only be collected if necessary to maintaining a high standard of service to you the client. Additional sensitive information as defined in the Act, will only be collected with the consent of individuals involved and in accordance with the Act.
The information will only be used within Sydney Hills Counselling for the purpose for which it was collected and in accordance with the Act. Sydney Hills Counselling will not disclose to a third party, any personal or sensitive information without written consent of the individual concerned. However, there are some specific exceptions where your information may be used or disclosed including circumstances as outlined in the Privacy Act 1988 where the information is required by law. Apart from these exceptions, your information will not be used or disclosed for any other purpose without your express consent.
The entire process of collection, storage, transfer, and use of personal information will be undertaken in a secure manner such that it fully protects all personal and sensitive information. On the cessation of connection with Sydney Hills Counselling, all personal information will be held securely for as long as it is prudent and disposed of appropriately when the information is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected and in a manner specified by the Act.
Individuals are entitled to access their own personal and sensitive information held by Sydney Hills Counselling. Individuals are also entitled to change incorrect or out of date information. The request for access to personal information must be made in writing and the request will be processed in accordance with the Act.
Where lawful and practical, Sydney Hills Counselling will offer the option for anonymity when providing personal information in the process of managing Sydney Hills Counselling’s business.