Privacy Policy

Autism Partnership is committed to providing quality services, and this policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information. This policy provides information on how Autism Partnership manages personal information collected; including personal information collected through our website at www.autismpartnership.com.au

We have adopted the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). 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.oaic.gov.au

What is Personal information, and why do we collect it?

Personal Information is information or an opinion (including information or an opinion forming part of a database), whether true or not, and whether recorded in a material form or not, about an individual whose identity is apparent, or can reasonably be ascertained, from the information or opinion.

Examples of Personal Information we collect include: contact details such as names, addresses, email addresses and phone numbers; personal details such as date of birth, health information, medical history/reports; information about personal experiences such as relationships, family backgrounds and supports, cultural influences; assessment/educational reports; funding assistance; photographs/videos designed to aide in assessment, therapy delivery, student activities or training.

This Personal Information is obtained in many ways, including interviews, consultations, correspondence, by telephone, by email, CCTV cameras installed at some Autism Partnership sites may capture images and/or via our website www.autismpartnership.com.au and from third parties. We don’t guarantee website links or policy of authorised third parties.

We collect your Personal Information for the primary purpose of providing our services and information to you. Autism Partnership will not collect or monitor any personal information about an individual without their consent. The only personal information collected is what has been provided voluntarily. Any personal information that we collect will only be used and disclosed for the purpose for which it has been provided to us.

Sensitive information

Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information or opinion about such things as an individual’s racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union or other professional body, criminal record or health information. Personal information may need to be disclosed to external service providers engaged by Autism Partnership in order for those service providers to fulfil their service obligations. IT service providers who assist in managing Autism Partnership’s servers and networks may need to access client data in order to maintain the servers and networks. All parties that we

Where personal information is disclosed to an external party, Autism Partnership will take steps to ensure that the external party treats such information confidentially and in accordance with the federal Privacy Act 1988.

Sensitive information will be used by us only:

• For the primary purpose for which it was obtained

• For a secondary purpose that is directly related to the primary purpose

• With your consent; or where required or authorised by law.

Third parties

Where reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances, we may be provided with information by third parties. In such a case, we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us by the third party.

Disclosure of Personal Information
Your Personal Information may be disclosed in some circumstances including the following:

• Third parties where you consent to the use or disclosure; and

• Where required or authorised by law.

Receiving of  Communications

If you have enquired or subscribed through our website,  as well as responding to your enquiry via email or phone, we may use your contact details to send you newsletters, marketing emails or invitations to Autism Partnership events, which may be of interest to you. However, you may at any time opt-out of receiving such materials by emailing us at marketing@autismpartnership.com.au or simply ‘unsubscribing’ from our email list via the link at the bottom of the email we have sent. If you do send us a request to have your details removed, we will remove your contact details from our distribution lists.

Security of personal information
Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorized access, modification or disclosure.

When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your Personal Information. However, most of the Personal Information is or will be stored in client files which will be kept by us for adult patients for a minimum seven years from the date of last entry and for children until they have or would have reached 25 years old.

Access to your personal information

You may access the Personal Information we hold about you and to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing. We will process all requests for access to personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles. In most cases, we will provide you with access to your personal information. However, we may refuse access in certain situations as listed in the Australian Privacy Principles. If we refuse to give you access, we will provide you with reasons for our refusal.

In order to protect your Personal Information, we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.

Maintaining the quality of your personal information

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 in writing at Autism Partnership,  27-31 Munster Terrace, North Melbourne, VIC 3051 or via email at admin@autismpartnership.com.au