Ability Matters is committed to protecting the privacy of an individual’s personal information. The following sets out how we aim to protect the privacy of your personal information, your rights in relation to your personal information managed by us, and the way we collect, use and disclose your personal information.

Compliance

In handling your personal information, we will comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act) and with the thirteen Australian Privacy Principles in the Privacy Act.

Policies and Procedures

We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that:

• Personal information is managed in an open and transparent way.
• The privacy of personal information of participants and staff are protected.
• We collect and handle personal information fairly.
• Personal information we collect is used and disclosed for legally permitted purposes only.
• We regulate access to and correction of personal information.
• We maintain the confidentiality of personal information through appropriate storage and security.

The Kinds of Information We Collect

Consumer personal information is collected to provide care and services. Personal information we collect could include your:

• Name, address, telephone number, and email address.
• Date of birth.
• Gender.
• Advocate or emergency contact’s telephone number and email.
• Health information.
• Diversity status (ethnicity, lifestyle preferences).

How We Collect Personal Information

Participant personal information may be collected from:

• You, the participant.
• Your family members or significant others.
• Your advocate.
• Your doctor or other service providers or facilities.

We will collect personal information directly from you unless:

• We have your consent to collect the information from someone else.
• We are required or authorised by law to collect the information from someone else.
• It is unreasonable or impractical to do so.

Purpose of Collecting Personal Information

Personal information is collected for the purposes of providing care and services. The information may be used to:

• Provide support services.
• Enable service providers and medical practitioners to provide care and services.

Disclosure of Personal Information

We may disclose your personal and health information for the purpose of your care and services to:

• Service providers who assist us in providing care and services, medical practitioners, external health agencies such as the ambulance service, hospitals, the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and other relevant government organisations.
• A person you have nominated as being your advocate (e.g., parent, child or sibling, spouse).

We may not use or disclose personal information for a purpose other than providing care and services unless:

• You have consented.
• The purpose is related to providing care and services, and you would reasonably expect disclosure of the information for that purpose.
• We believe on reasonable grounds that the disclosure is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious threat to your life, health or safety or a serious threat to public health or public safety.
• We have reason to suspect unlawful activity and disclosure is required or authorised by law.

We will not disclose your personal information to an overseas recipient.

Security of Personal Information

We take all reasonable steps to ensure that the personal information we hold is protected against misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. We hold personal information in both hard copy and electronic forms in secure databases on secure premises and on secure cloud-based technology accessible only by our authorised staff.

Accessing Your Personal Information

You have a right under the Privacy Act to access your personal information that is collected and held by us. If at any time you would like to access or change the personal information that we hold about you, please contact us. To obtain access to your personal information, you will have to provide us with proof of identity. We will take all reasonable steps to provide access within seven (7) days from your request.

Employee Information

Records of current and past employees related to the employment relationship are managed in accordance with workplace laws. Privacy laws may apply if employee personal information is used for something not related to the employment relationship between our organisation and the employee.

Volunteer Records

Personal information collected in relation to our volunteers will be managed in accordance with the Privacy Act.

Privacy Data Breaches

If your personal information is lost, stolen or subject to unauthorised access or disclosure, we will implement our Management of Data Breach Policy and Procedure.

Privacy Complaints

All complaints regarding privacy can be lodged via our complaint handling process. At all times:

• The complaints will be treated seriously.
• The complaints will be dealt with promptly.
• The complaints will be handled confidentially.
• The complaints will not affect existing obligations between you and us.

You will be informed of the outcome following completion of the investigation.