Back to Nature Ecotherapy (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to safeguarding the privacy of all clients and stakeholders. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and manage personal information in compliance with the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
1. Information We Collect
Personal Information
We may collect personal information that identifies you, such as:
- Name, address, phone number, and email address
- Date of birth
- Emergency contact details
Sensitive Information
We may also collect sensitive information, including but not limited to:
- Health details and medical history
- Racial or ethnic background
- Relevant personal details shared during counselling sessions
Financial Information
We may collect payment details when processing fees for our services.
2. How We Collect Information
We gather personal information in various ways, including:
- Directly from you during consultations or correspondence
- Via phone, email, or online communication
- From third parties, such as healthcare providers or referrers, with your consent
3. Purpose of Collection
We collect personal and sensitive information to:
- Provide counselling and support services
- Conduct assessments, develop plans and reports, and deliver tailored interventions
- Communicate with you about appointments, resources, and updates
- Meet legal and regulatory requirements
4. Use and Disclosure of Information
We will not use or disclose your personal information for purposes other than those for which it was collected, except where:
- You have provided consent, including the level of consent
- Required by law (e.g., in response to a subpoena or mandatory reporting obligations)
- Necessary to prevent a serious threat to health or safety
Third-Party Disclosure
Your information may be disclosed to third parties, such as:
- Emergency services in critical situations
- External service providers for administrative purposes (e.g., IT or payment processing systems)
Where consent is given, your information may be disclosed to third parties, such as:
- Healthcare professionals involved in your care
- Persons nominated by you
We ensure that all third parties comply with applicable privacy laws and handle your information securely.
5. Data Security
We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. Measures include:
- Secure physical storage of paper records
- Encrypted electronic systems for digital records
- Restricted access to authorised personnel only
Despite these measures, no method of transmission or storage is entirely secure. If a data breach occurs, we will notify affected individuals and relevant authorities as required by law.
6. Access and Correction of Personal Information
You have the right to access and correct the personal information we hold about you. Requests can be made in writing to the contact details below. We will:
- Respond to access requests within 30 days
- Correct inaccurate or incomplete information promptly upon request
Access may be refused in certain circumstances, such as if it poses a threat to someone’s safety or breaches another individual’s privacy. If access is denied, we will provide a written explanation.
7. Retention and De-identification
We retain your information for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected or as required by law. When no longer needed, personal information is securely destroyed or de-identified.
8. Complaints and Concerns
If you have concerns about how we manage your personal information, please contact us at [email protected]. If you are not satisfied with our resolution, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. The updated version will be available on our website;https://www.backtonatureecotherapy.com.au. Continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of any changes.
10. Contact Us
For queries, access requests, or complaints, please contact:
Back to Nature Ecotherapy
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 08 9444 5333
Website: https://www.backtonatureecotherapy.com.au/
Effective Date: 18th December, 2024