Privacy Policy
A Friendly Guide to How We Protect Your Information
Introduction
Welcome to Advanced Podiatry. Our website address is: https://advancedpodiatry.net.au. We are committed to protecting your privacy and keeping your personal and health information safe.
As a healthcare provider, we follow Australia’s Privacy Act 1G88 and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), which set out how personal information must be collected, used, stored, and shared.
We also follow the OAIC’s guidance for health service providers to ensure your information is handled with care. [oaic.gov.au], [racgp.org.au] [digitalhealth.gov.au]
Your trust matters to us, and we aim to communicate openly and clearly about how your information is used.
What Information We Collect
To provide you with safe and effective podiatry care, we may need information such as:
- Your name and contact details
- Date of birth and general health information
- Medical history and treatment notes
- Medicare or health fund details
- Billing and payment information
- Basic website-related data (IP address, cookies, browser information)
Some of this is considered sensitive health information, which is specially protected under the Privacy Act. [ahpra.gov.au]
How We Collect Your Information Directly from you
This includes forms you complete, appointments, conversations, phone calls, online bookings, or emails.
From others involved in your care
With your consent, we may receive information from your GP, specialist, referring clinician, insurer, or other relevant health professionals.
Through our website
Some information is collected automatically (such as IP address or cookies), especially if you leave a comment or submit a form.
We follow APP requirements to ensure you know why your information is being collected. [oaic.gov.au]
How We Use and Share Your Information
We use your information to help us:
- Provide podiatry assessments and treatments
- Understand your health needs and history
- Manage bookings, communication, and reminders
- Process payments and insurance claims
- Work with other health professionals involved in your care
- Keep accurate clinical records
- Meet legal and regulatory requirements
We may share information with:
- Other clinicians involved in your care
- Medicare or your private health insurer
- Diagnostic providers
- IT or admin support who help run the practice
- Authorities if legally required
- Australian privacy reforms emphasise taking reasonable steps to protect personal information, including strong cybersecurity and organisational processes, especially in the health sector. [youlegal.com.au]
Cookies, Comments s Website Information
Our website uses cookies to enhance your experience, such as remembering your details when you leave a comment.
If you upload images, please avoid photos with embedded location data (EXIF GPS), as other visitors may be able to view that information.
Comments submitted on the website may be checked by automated spam detection tools for security.
Direct Marketing
We will only send you marketing messages if you’ve given us clear permission.
We do not use your health information for marketing without your consent, following APP 7. You can opt out anytime. [oaic.gov.au]
Cross-Border Access to Information
To help our practice run smoothly, some of our trusted administrative support personnel are located in the Philippines.
They may access only the information required to complete administrative tasks, and they work under strict contractual and privacy protections.
These safeguards ensure your information is handled securely and in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles, even when accessed overseas.
This is part of our responsibility under APP 8 regarding cross-border disclosures. [oaic.gov.au]
How We Keep Your Information Safe
Protecting your personal and health information is important to us. We use:
- Encrypted systems and password protection
- Secure storage for all records
- Staff privacy and confidentiality training
- Cybersecurity measures
- Clear internal procedures for privacy and data handling
Recent privacy updates highlight the requirement for medical practices to maintain strong cybersecurity and organisational safeguards. [youlegal.com.au]
Accessing or Updating Your Information
You have the right to:
- Request a copy of your personal or health information
- Update or correct information if it’s incomplete or inaccurate
- Ask questions about how your information is used
We’ll respond promptly, in line with APP 12 and APP 13.
How Long We Keep Your Information
We retain clinical records for as long as required by law and professional guidelines. If information is no longer needed, we securely destroy or de-identify it.
Comments posted on our website may remain unless you ask us to remove them.
Your Privacy Rights
Under the Privacy Act, you have several rights regarding your information.
Recent reforms also expand protections for individuals in cases of serious invasions of privacy. [youlegal.com.au]
If you ever have a privacy concern, we encourage you to reach out to us so we can help.
Contact Us
If you’d like to access or update your information or have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact:
Advanced Podiatry — Privacy Officer
Email: manager@advancedpodiatry.net.au Phone: (08) 9841 3633
Address: 37-39 Pioneer Road Centennial Park WA 6330
If you feel your concern hasn’t been resolved, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):