Gold Coast Social Works

We manage personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and other privacy and confidentiality requirements that apply to the services we provide.

Information we collect

To provide safe, appropriate and individualised social work services, we may collect personal and sensitive information including:

your name, date of birth and contact details
information about your disability, health, wellbeing and support needs
information about your goals, daily life, relationships and circumstances relevant to the support we provide
NDIS plan, funding and plan-management information where applicable
information provided by family members, carers, support coordinators or other professionals involved in your support
assessment information, session and case notes, reports and correspondence
billing and payment information
information you provide through our website, enquiry forms, email, telephone or other communications.

We only collect information that is reasonably necessary to provide our services or operate our practice. Health and other sensitive information will generally be collected with your consent, except where collection is otherwise permitted or required by law.

How we collect information

Where practical, we collect personal information directly from you.

With your consent, we may also receive relevant information from another person or organisation involved in your support, such as a family member, nominee, support coordinator, healthcare professional, allied health practitioner, school or other service provider.

There may also be circumstances where information can be collected without consent where this is permitted or required by law.

How we use your information

We may use your information to:

provide and coordinate social work services
understand your needs, goals and circumstances
plan, review and document your supports
communicate with you and, where authorised, members of your support network
collaborate with other professionals involved in your care or support
prepare reports or other documentation where required and authorised
manage appointments, billing, funding and service agreements
meet our professional, legal and regulatory obligations
maintain appropriate clinical and business records.

We will not use your personal or health information for purposes unrelated to the services we provide unless you have consented or the use is otherwise authorised or required by law.

Sharing your information

Your information is treated as confidential.

With your consent, we may share relevant information with people or organisations involved in your support, such as your family or nominee, support coordinator, plan manager, healthcare or allied health professionals, education providers or other services.

We may also disclose information where required or authorised by law, or in circumstances where disclosure is permitted to address a serious threat to a person's life, health or safety.

Where possible, we will discuss information sharing with you and only share information that is relevant and necessary.

Children and young people

Where we provide services to a child or young person, we take their age, capacity, circumstances and right to privacy into consideration.

We aim to involve young people in decisions about their information wherever appropriate, while also working with parents, guardians or other authorised representatives where required.

Storage and security

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.

Information may be stored electronically and, where applicable, in secure physical records. We use appropriate administrative, technical and physical safeguards to protect the information we hold.

Where third-party technology or service providers are used to support our practice, we take reasonable steps to select and use services appropriately and protect the confidentiality of personal information.

Accessing or correcting your information

You may request access to personal information we hold about you or ask us to correct information that you believe is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date.

Requests can be made by contacting Gold Coast Social Works. We may need to verify your identity before providing access.

There may be limited circumstances where access cannot be provided. Where applicable, we will explain the reason for this.

Website and online enquiries

When you use our website or submit an online enquiry, we may collect information that you voluntarily provide, such as your name, contact details and the information contained in your message.

The current website does not use analytics cookies. If analytics or other non-essential tracking technologies are introduced in future, this policy will be updated as appropriate.

Privacy concerns and complaints

If you have a question or concern about how your personal information has been handled, please contact Gold Coast Social Works.

We will take your concern seriously and aim to respond in a timely and respectful manner.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may be able to make a complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

Contact us

Gold Coast Social Works
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0409 096 746
Gold Coast, Queensland

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to our services, systems or legal and regulatory requirements. The current version will be available on our website.