This policy describes how Mindprint Psychology manages clients’ personal information. Personal information is managed in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

What Personal Information We Collect

A client file is created for each person receiving psychological assessment services. Depending on the assessment, this may include:

·       name, date of birth, address, contact details, and parent/guardian information;

·       referral information and reason for assessment;

·       developmental, medical, psychological, educational, and family history;

·       information obtained through interviews, questionnaires, and assessment sessions;

·       school, medical, allied health, and previous assessment reports;

·       information provided by schools, health professionals, and other relevant third parties;

·       behavioural observations, assessment results, clinical notes and interpretations;

·       correspondence, consent forms, and administrative information; and

·       the psychological assessment report and recommendations.

How Personal Information is Collected

Personal information may be collected directly from the client and/or their parent/guardian through intake forms, interviews, questionnaires, reports, assessment sessions, email, and other correspondence.

With appropriate consent, information may also be obtained from relevant third parties, such as teachers, schools, GPs, paediatricians, psychologists, and allied health professionals.

Why We Collect and Hold Personal Information

Personal information is collected, used, and held for purposes associated with providing psychological assessment services, including assessment, diagnosis where appropriate, recommendations, communication, and administration.

You are not required to provide information you do not wish to disclose. However, if relevant information is unavailable, the psychologist may be unable to complete the assessment, answer the referral question, reach a diagnostic conclusion, or provide recommendations with an appropriate level of confidence. Any resulting limitations may be discussed with you and documented in the assessment report where relevant.

How Personal Information is Stored

Personal information is stored securely and accessible only to authorised personnel.

Client records are retained for at least seven years or, for clients under 18 years, until they reach 25 years of age. Records are securely destroyed when they are no longer required to be retained.

Some third-party service providers used by Mindprint Psychology may store or process information outside Australia. Where this occurs, Mindprint Psychology will take reasonable steps to ensure personal information is handled in accordance with applicable privacy requirements.

Disclosure of Personal Information

Personal information will remain confidential except where:

1.       disclosure is required or authorised by law, including in response to a subpoena, court order, or mandatory reporting obligations;

2.       the psychologist reasonably believes disclosure is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to the life, health, or safety of the client or another person;

3.       the parent/guardian or young person, where they have capacity to consent, has provided consent for information to be shared;

4.       professional consultation or supervision is undertaken to support the quality of the assessment, in which case identifying information will be minimised where possible.

Only information reasonably necessary for the purpose of the disclosure will be shared.

Accessing and Correcting Personal Information

Clients and/or their parents/guardians may request access to, or correction of, personal information held by Mindprint Psychology, subject to applicable legal exceptions. Requests will be managed in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

For clients under 18 years, access to personal information may depend on the young person’s age, capacity, and applicable legal requirements.

Privacy Breaches

In the event of unauthorised access to personal information or a data breach, Mindprint Psychology will respond in accordance with applicable privacy legislation and notify affected individuals where required.

Privacy Concerns and Complaints

If you have concerns or wish to make a complaint about the management of personal information, please contact Mindprint Psychology. We will review your concern and respond within a reasonable timeframe. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au.