Privacy statement
We are committed to protecting your personal, sensitive and health information. We recognise the importance of privacy and confidentiality when providing quality, responsive, legally compliant, safe services and programs.
Any personal information provided to us by phone, in person, online, via telehealth or email will be used solely for the purpose intended.
References to personal information made by us may refer to personal, sensitive and/or health information.
General privacy information
The Nursing and Midwifery Health Program Victoria meets its obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and relevant state and territory based laws seriously. We take all reasonable steps to comply with the laws and protect the privacy of the information that it collects and holds.
In all circumstances we will seek to safeguard the privacy of personal information, except in circumstances where:
- there is a serious and immediate risk of harm to an individual including a child
- an individual has provided specific informed consent to disclose information to a third party
- the organisation has a legal obligation to disclose information.
Definitions – types of information
Personal information
Information or an opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable, whether that information or opinion is true or not, and whether the information or opinion is recorded in a material form or not.
Sensitive information
Personal information that includes health, genetic and biometric information as well as information about race or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of political, professional or trade associations or trade unions, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or practices and criminal record. It is afforded a higher level of protection by privacy laws.
Health information
This includes an individual’s information or opinion about their:
- health or disability at any time (past, present or future)
- expressed wishes about future health services
- health services provided or to be provided
- information collected in providing a health service
- donation or intended donation of body parts and substances (source: Health Records Act 2001)
Collecting your information
We will collect only information that is necessary and relevant to the scope of services we provide. We will only collect sensitive information where we have consent to do so or if permitted under relevant legislation.
We try to collect personal information directly from the individual concerned wherever and whenever it is reasonably possible to do so.
Disclosing personal information
We will never disclose personal information without consent from the individual unless we are required to by law or under a duty of care.
Generally, personal information collected by us can only be disclosed for the purpose for which it was collected (known as the ‘primary purpose’) unless legislative exceptions apply.
However, at times, personal information may be disclosed for secondary or other purposes where:
- we have specific consent to do so where it is reasonably expected to be disclosed for a related purpose
- required or authorised by law or a Court/Tribunal order
- reasonably necessary for enforcement purposes conducted by or on behalf of an enforcement body
- ‘permitted general situations’ or ‘permitted health situations’ (as defined by relevant legislation) exist.
Access to personal information
Individuals have a right to access the personal information that we hold about them. All requests for access to personal information must be submitted to the CEO by email ceo@nmhp.org.au
We will process and respond to a request for access to personal information within 30 days, unless any extension applies as permitted under the FOI Act.
Read our:
- Quality and safety statement
- Website use – terms and conditions
- Rights and responsibilities – using our service
Privacy complaints
We support the right of an individual to raise questions and concerns about privacy, or the way we manage their personal information.
A privacy complaint relates to any concern or dispute that an individual may have with how we collects, stores, uses, or discloses personal information or how access is provided.
All complaints regarding privacy and data will be dealt with by the CEO. Complaints can be raised by emailing ceo@nmhp.org.au
In circumstances where an individual is not satisfied with how we have handled their complaint, they can contact: