Privacy Policy

Origin Psychology is committed to providing quality services to you and this policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information.

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

What is Personal Information and why do we collect it?

Personal Information is information or an opinion that identifies an individual. Examples of Personal Information we collect include: names, addresses, email addresses, phone and facsimile numbers.

This Personal Information is obtained in many ways including clinical interviews, GP correspondence, by telephone and facsimile, by email, via our website www.originpsychology.com and from third parties.

We collect your Personal Information for the primary purpose of providing our services to you.

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.

Personal information

Your information is stored securely and accessed only by your psychologist, in accordance with the practice’s policies and procedures.

Your information is stored using “Power Diary" which is our practice management software that adheres to the Australian Privacy laws and principles

The information collected includes your personal details such as name, address and contact phone numbers. As part of providing a psychological service, such as a psychological assessment or treatment, we will also need to collect and record other personal information that is relevant to your current situation. This includes keeping a record of what happens during sessions, any psychological tests you complete, and any information received from others, such as your GP, lawyer or insurance company.

If you have concerns that the information recorded is not correct, please discuss your concerns with your psychologist.  

Purpose of holding personal information

Your personal information is gathered and used for the purpose of providing a psychological service to you. Your personal information is retained in order to document what happens during sessions and enables your psychologist to provide a relevant and informed psychological service to you. This information and record keeping is a necessary part of the services provided and guides treatment.

Consequence of not providing personal information

Psychologists are required to keep clear and accurate client records as part of their professional obligations.

If you do not wish for your personal information to be collected, we may not be able to provide the psychological service to you. Please discuss any concerns you have with your psychologist.

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.

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 your GP, Psychiatrist and 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 these parties.

Disclosure of Personal Information

Your Personal Information may be disclosed in a number of circumstances including the following:

• Third parties where you consent to the use or disclosure (via a signed authority of release) and

• Where required or authorised 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. To support the security of your personal information this practice uses Power Diary which is compliant with the Australian standards for online security and encryption.

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 online client files which will be kept by us for a minimum of 7 years. And we can not delete your health record/session notes.

Access to your Personal Information

You may access the Personal Information we hold about you to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing at info@originpsychology.com.au

Origin Psychology will not charge any fee for your access request, but may charge an administrative fee for having to compile a copy of your Personal Information.

In order to protect your Personal Information we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information and may require an appointment with you to clarify your needs regarding accessing your information

Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information

It is an important to us that your Personal Information is up to date. 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.

Confidentiality of information

Personal information gathered by your psychologist will remain confidential except for certain circumstances. In most cases, any sharing of information will only occur with your consent.

Our practice asks for your consent to share information when:

  • Sharing information with a family member, guardian or carer.

  • Discussing with others, such as your GP, employer, or any agencies which may be paying for your attendance.

  • Providing a written report regarding your assessment or treatment to another professional or agency, such as your GP, lawyer or insurance company.

  • For disclosing the information in any other way not referenced in this document

Please note well: 

Psychologists are required to consult and receive supervision from colleagues from time to time. If your information is shared in this context, all care is taken to deidentify your information in such a way that you remain anonymous.

Exceptions to confidentiality

There are times when your psychologist may release your information without obtaining your consent such as:

  • When a court requires information by issuing a subpoena, or providing information is otherwise required or authorised by law.

  • When it is required because the psychologist must make a mandatory report on a concern.

  • When the psychologist discloses information because they believe you or someone else is at risk of serious harm.

 Data breach policy

In the event that any unauthorised access, disclosure or loss of your personal information occurs Origin Psychology will activate its data breach plan and use all reasonable endeavours to minimise any risk of consequential serious harm.

Requests for access and correction to client information

 At any stage you may request to see and correct the personal information about you kept on file. Your psychologist may discuss the contents with you and/or give you a copy, subject to the exceptions in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

If your psychologist is satisfied that your personal information is inaccurate, out of date or incomplete, reasonable steps will be taken in the circumstances to ensure that this information is corrected. All requests by you for access to or correction of personal information held about you should be lodged with your psychologist.

Concerns

If you have a concern about the management of your personal information, you may inform your psychologist. Upon request you can obtain a copy of the Australian Privacy Principles, which describe your rights and how your personal information should be handled.

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:

Origin Psychology

info@originpsychology.com.au

Mail us at:

Origin Psychology

Suite 5 , 31 Canberra Ave

Forrest

ACT

2603

Ultimately, 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 https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-complaints/lodge-a-privacy-complaint-with-us

By post to: Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, GPO Box 5288, Sydney, NSW 2001