Privacy Policy
Introduction
In alignment with the Privacy Act 1988, Australian Privacy Principles, and Health Privacy Principles, Ark Psychology Co is committed to protecting the privacy of our clients. This policy outlines our approach to managing your personal and health information and clarifies the circumstances under which we might share it with third parties.
Consent
Upon registering with Ark Psychology Co, you consent to allowing our psychologist to access and use your personal information for delivering optimal psychological care. Access to your information is limited to personnel who require it. Should there be a need to use your information for other purposes, we will seek additional consent from you.
Purpose of Collecting Personal Information
Your personal information is essential for Ark Psychology Co to provide psychological services. The primary reason for collecting, using, holding, and sharing your personal information is to manage your mental health effectively. This information is also vital for business-related activities, such as billing and payments, audits, accreditation, and internal processes like staff training.
Types of Information Collected
We collect various personal details, including:
Names, date of birth, addresses, contact details
Medical, psychological, and social information: Medical and psychological history, diagnoses, social and family history, risk factors
Medicare number for identification and processing rebates
Health fund details
Collection Methods
We collect your personal information in several ways:
Initial triage and registration process including web enquiries and forms completed or received prior to commencement of services
Throughout the course of providing psychological services
Phone calls, online appointments, and other forms of communication.
Occasionally from other sources such as guardians, other healthcare providers, or government agencies, when direct collection from you is not feasible
Information obtained through claims such as those under TAC, WorkSafe and NDIS, as part of our work with you
Disclosures of Personal Information
Your personal information may be disclosed:
To third parties within the same facility for operational reasons, in full compliance with privacy regulations
To other healthcare providers
When legally required or for public safety
In situations involving of missing persons, legal claims, or dispute resolutions
For mandatory notifications of specific health conditions
When necessary to reduce the risk or prevent a serious threat to a patient’s life, health, safety or public health, or it is not feasible to obtain the patient’s consent
To establish, exercise or defend a legal or equitable claim
For confidential dispute resolution processes
As a part of the supervision process with a senior psychologist for professional development and clinical supervision, in accordance with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) requirements.
Access to your information is strictly controlled, and we do not share it internationally without your consent. We also do not use your personal information for direct marketing without your direct consent.
Storage and Security
Any information collected by Polaris Psychology Group is held in the strictest confidence. Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. Access is restricted to authorised Polaris Psychology Group personnel only.
Your Personal Information will be kept for and disposed of after a minimum of seven years since your last contact unless legal requirements specify otherwise. In the case of Personal Information collected while the client was less than 18 years old, psychologists retain the records at least until the client attains the age of 25 years.
Date Breach Plan
We follow the national requirements. See here: https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/notifiable-data-breaches/
Accessing and Correcting Information:
You have the right to access and correct your personal information. Requests for access or correction should be made in writing, and we aim to process these requests within 14 days. We will not charge any fee for your access request, but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your Personal Information.
Ark Psychology Co acknowledges that patients may request access to their medical records. You are required to put this request in writing via our Contact form and we will respond within a reasonable time. All requests are aimed to be processed within 14 business days and a fee is charged as per the Health Records Act. The fee is usually 20c per page, plus an administration fee of $42.02.
We may require identification from you before releasing the requested information to protect your Personal Information.
All reasonable steps are taken to correct your personal information where the information is not accurate or up to date. From time to time, you will be asked to verify that your personal information is correct and current. You may also request to correct or update your information, and you should make such requests in person at the clinic.
Policy Review
This policy is reviewed annually to ensure ongoing compliance and relevance.
Contact Information
If you have any queries or complaints about our Privacy Policy, please contact us at: