Privacy Policy

  • Dot Mental Health (ABN 75 904 254 705) is committed to complying with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles under that Act, and the privacy provisions of all applicable legislation.

    This policy explains how we collect, use, store and share personal information. This includes information collected through our office, over the phone and over the internet that identifies you (such as your name, address, email or phone number).

  • We only collect information that is necessary for one or more of our functions or activities. We’ll always explain why we need it and how we will use it.

    The types of personal information we may collect include:

    • Your name, address, email and phone number

    • If you are a client/patient: date of birth, billing/payment details, Medicare or insurance information and health information

    • Health information may also be collected from other healthcare providers if you give consent

    Health information is considered “sensitive information.”

  • Sensitive information (as defined under the Privacy Act) is a special type of personal information, such as:

    • Racial or ethnic background

    • Political or religious beliefs

    • Trade union or professional memberships

    • Criminal history

    • Health information

    We handle sensitive information with the highest security and confidentiality. We only use it:

    • For the main purpose it was collected

    • For a secondary purpose that is directly related to the main purpose

    • With your consent or

    • When legally required or authorised

    If you choose not to provide some information, we will let you know how that may affect our ability to offer services.

  • We collect personal information in several ways:

    • Directly from you during registration, appointments or enquiries

    • From emails, phone calls, messages or other correspondence

    • When you visit our premises, we may record contact details and, if surveillance systems are in place, your image or voice

    • From publicly available sources or third parties, such as referrals from other health professionals

    Whenever possible, we collect information directly from you.

  • We use and share your personal information to provide our services and run our business. This may include:

    • Delivering services and products to clients/patients

    • Receiving goods or services from suppliers

    • Meeting legal or regulatory obligations

    • Ensuring the safety and security of our premises and people

    • Addressing issues or complaints

    • Contacting you regarding the above via email, phone, SMS, mail or other lawful methods

    We may also use your information for other purposes you consent to or as allowed by law.

  • We may share your personal information with:

    • Suppliers, contractors and service providers who provide us with technical support services or who manage some of our business functions

    • Related entities (who may use and disclose the information in the same manner we can)

    • Accountants, insurers, lawyers, auditors and other professional advisers

    • Other parties you authorise us to disclose your personal information, such as your doctor, insurer or emergency contacts

    We may also disclose personal information in accordance if any consent you give or when required or permitted by law.

  • We will provide a free way to opt-out of marketing messages or offers from us. You can do this anytime by contacting us directly.

  • You can request access to the personal information we hold about you or ask us to correct it at any time.

    We may refuse your access request or request to correct information (in accordance with applicable laws). In such cases, we will provide you with a written notice stating why. Reasons we may refuse access include:

    • we believe that giving you access may endanger the life, health or safety of any individual, or endanger public health or safety

    • giving you access would have an unreasonable impact on the privacy of other individuals

    • your request is frivolous or vexatious

    • your personal information is part of existing or anticipated legal proceedings between you and the organisation.

    We will not charge any fee for your access request but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your personal information.

    To protect your personal information, we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.

  • We may store personal information securely in:

    • Physical records

    • Electronic systems

    • Cloud storage or third-party servers

    We take reasonable steps to protect your information from misuse, loss, or unauthorised access. When information is no longer needed and not legally required, we will destroy or de-identify it. Some records may be retained for legal or business reasons (such as quality assurance).

  • We will take all reasonable steps to ensure that the information we collect, use or disclose is accurate, complete and up to date and has been obtained directly from you or other reputable sources.

    If you find that the information we have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as possible so can continue to provide quality services to you.

  • Our Privacy Policy is available on request and on our website. We review it from time to time and update it as needed.

  • If you have questions or complaints about how we handle your personal information, including potential breaches of the Australian Privacy Principles, please contact us directly.

    When contacting us please provide as much detail as possible in relation to your question, concern or complaint.

    We take all complaints seriously and will respond to your complaint in accordance with any applicable timeframes imposed by law and otherwise within a reasonable period. We request that you cooperate with us during this process and provide us with any relevant information that we may need.

    If you are not satisfied with our response, you can contact:

    Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
    GPO Box 5288, Sydney NSW 2001
    Phone: 1300 363 992
    Email: enquiries@oaic.gov.au
    https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-complaints/lodge-a-privacy-complaint-with-us

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  • You can reach us here:

    Dot Mental Health
    PO Box 237, Morphett Vale SA 5162
    hello@dotmentalhealth.com.au
    0493 005 150