Privacy Policy
Align Wellness OT — Privacy Policy
Effective Date: 01 Nov 2025
Review Date: 01 May 2025
Align Wellness OT (ABN: 44791809496) is committed to protecting your privacy and maintaining the confidentiality of your personal and health information. We comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), relevant State/Territory health records laws, and professional obligations under AHPRA, OT Australia, and the NDIS Code of Conduct (where applicable).
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose, and protect your information when providing occupational therapy, psychosocial support, and mental-health services.
1. Information We Collect
We collect personal and health information that is reasonably necessary for assessment, treatment, and practice administration.
Personal Information
- Name, date of birth, and contact details
- Medicare, DVA, NDIS, private health, or other funding information
- Emergency contact details
Health Information
This may include:
- Referral documents
- Clinical assessments and treatment notes
- Functional capacity information
- Mental-health and psychosocial information
- Reports from other professionals (with your consent)
Sensitive Information
Collected only when relevant to care, including cultural or identity-related information.
Digital Communications
Emails, SMS, telehealth sessions, and written messages may contain health information and form part of your clinical record.
2. How We Collect Information
We collect information through:
- Intake processes and clinical sessions
- Email, SMS, telehealth, and online forms
- Referrers or other treaters (with your consent)
- Situations where collection is required by law
Where appropriate, we collect information directly from you.
3. Why We Collect Your Information
Your information is collected for purposes including:
- Providing occupational therapy and mental-health services
- Developing and reviewing treatment plans
- Coordinating with other providers involved in your care
- Billing, scheduling, and administrative requirements
- Compliance with legal and professional standards
We do not use or disclose information for reasons unrelated to your care unless permitted or required by law.
4. Disclosure of Information
We may share your information only when:
- You provide express, informed consent
- You would reasonably expect disclosure as part of your care
- Required by law (e.g., subpoena, mandatory reporting)
- Necessary to prevent a serious threat to life, health, or safety
We do not share information with third parties for marketing or non-clinical purposes.
5. Data Quality
We take reasonable steps to ensure your information is accurate, complete, and up to date. You are encouraged to notify us of any changes.
6. Storage and Security
We take ‘reasonable steps’ to protect information from loss, misuse, unauthorised access, or disclosure. This includes:
- Password-protected, encrypted devices
- Secure cloud storage and practice management systems
- Restricted access to client records
- Secure disposal of records in line with retention laws
Telehealth platforms are encrypted and comply with Australian privacy requirements.
7. Access to Your Information
You have the right to request access to information we hold about you and to request corrections if you believe it is inaccurate.
Requests can be made in writing, and we will respond within a reasonable timeframe.
8. Data Breaches
If a data breach occurs that is likely to result in serious harm, we will:
- Take immediate action to contain the breach
- Notify affected individuals as soon as practicable
- Follow the Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme
- Seek legal/insurer guidance
9. Website Analytics & Cookies
Our website may use cookies or analytics tools to collect non-identifying data such as page views and browsing patterns.
No personal information is collected unless you submit it via a form.
10. Third-Party Providers
We use reputable third-party systems for telehealth, payments, email, and scheduling. Some data may be stored on secure servers outside Australia.
We take reasonable steps to ensure these providers comply with privacy requirements.
11. How to Make a Complaint
Please contact:
Align Wellness OT – Privacy Officer
Email: Hello@alignwellnessot.com
Phone: 1300 680 829
If unresolved, you may contact:
- Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
- Your State/Territory Health Complaints Commissioner
12. Updates to This Policy
This policy may be updated at any time. The current version will always be available on our website.
Align Wellness Occupational Therapy
Align Wellness OT acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work and we pay our respects to Elders past and present. Align Wellness OT values the experience and contribution of people from all cultures, genders, sexualities, bodies, abilities, spiritualities, ages and backgrounds.
Copyright © 2025 Align Wellness Occupational Therapy - All Rights Reserved.