Privacy Policy

Our Commitment to Protecting Your Privacy
Hobart Allied Health Pty Ltd (trading as Hobart Speech Pathology and associated services) is an allied health practice providing speech pathology and related services to adults in Tasmania. We place the highest priority on responsible privacy practices. We collect, use, and store only the minimum personal information necessary to provide safe and effective care. We do not collect unnecessary information, do not sell or disclose your information for marketing purposes, and do not use or disclose it for any secondary purposes without your explicit consent. We comply fully with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). This policy is regularly reviewed and updated. The latest version is always available on our website: hobartspeechpathology.au.

What is Personal Information?

Personal information is any information or opinion about an identified or reasonably identifiable individual. This includes sensitive health information, which we protect with the highest standards.

Sensitive information is a subset of personal information that includes health information and is subject to additional protections under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). As a health service provider, most of the information we collect is sensitive health information. We apply the highest standards of care and security to all personal information we hold.

What Personal Information Do We Collect and Why?

We collect only the minimum information reasonably necessary to provide safe, effective, and person-centred allied health services and to manage your care. This includes information we obtain directly from you as well as relevant information we obtain from other health professionals and services involved in your care (with your consent or authority where required).

We may collect the following categories of information:

Identity and Contact Information

• Full name, date of birth, gender, address, phone numbers, and email address
• Occupation, employment status, or vocational goals (where relevant to your communication or participation goals)

Health and Clinical Information

• Medical, surgical, psychiatric, and relevant developmental history, including allergies
• Current medications and medication lists
• GP health summaries and hospital discharge summaries
• Reports, plans, and recommendations from other allied health professionals and services involved in your care (e.g., Occupational Therapy, Dietetics, Behaviour Support Practitioners, Physiotherapy, Psychology)
• Assessment data and results from formal/standardised assessments and informal clinical observations that we collect
• Treatment and progress records, including individualised therapy plans, session notes, home programs, outcome measures, and goal attainment (including NDIS plan goals)
• Details of assistive technology or AAC devices and their use

Support Network and Representative Information

• Emergency contacts and next-of-kin (where relevant for your care)
• Details of guardians, advocates, and substitute decision-makers, including Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) details and orders where applicable
• Relevant social, family, and participation history, including living situation, support networks (family, carers, advocates), and valued activities or goals (to ensure therapy is functional and meaningful)

Funding, Referrer, and Administrative Information

• Details of all health providers and services involved in the delivery of your care (including referrers, GPs, specialists, and other treating professionals)
• NDIS participant number, NDIS plans, DSOA numbers, and ISP packages (where applicable)
• Funding and billing details, where applicable, including NDIS plan goals and budget information (for service coordination and claiming), Plan Manager information, Private health insurance details

We collect and use your personal information for the following purposes:

Primary purposes (directly related to providing your care)

• To assess your communication and/or swallowing needs and deliver safe, effective, evidence-based speech pathology services
• To develop, implement, and review individualised therapy plans and goals (including NDIS plan goals)
• To coordinate your care with other health professionals and services involved in your support 
• To identify and manage clinical risks and support your safety
• To deliver training and education to carers, support workers, and family members to support the safe and effective implementation of therapy strategies and recommendations
• To communicate with you and your authorised representatives or support network about your care, appointments, progress, and reports

Related purposes

• To prepare and provide reports, summaries, and recommendations to referrers, NDIS Support Coordinators,  funding bodies, and other authorised parties
• To process billing, invoicing, and claims through the NDIS, private health insurers, or other funders
• To maintain accurate and up-to-date clinical records as required by law and professional standards
• To meet our legal, regulatory, and professional obligations, including audits, quality reviews, complaints handling, and mandatory reporting requirements
• To support quality assurance, clinical governance, and continuous improvement of our services (using de-identified information where possible)

How Do We Collect Personal Information?

We collect personal information directly from you through intake forms, consultations, assessments (in-person and telehealth), phone, and email.

We also obtain relevant information from third parties involved in your care, including:

• GPs, medical specialists, and hospitals (via health summaries, discharge summaries, and Release of Information requests)
• Other allied health professionals (e.g., Occupational Therapy, Dietetics, Behaviour Support Practitioners)
• Prior reports and clinical documentation from previous or current providers
  Your NDIS Support Coordinator or Local Area Coordinator (Where applicable)

Website Collection
Our website uses minimal functional cookies (if any) only to enable basic features like form submissions or appointment booking. We do not use analytics, tracking, or advertising cookies.

How Do We Use, Disclose, and Store Personal Information?
We use your information for the primary purpose of providing your care and directly related purposes you would reasonably expect (e.g., billing, quality assurance using de-identified data where possible). 

Disclosures are strictly limited and may include:

• Treating practitioners or staff (bound by confidentiality)
• Other health professionals involved in your care
• Funding bodies for claims

We store your personal and health information (including all clinical records, assessment data, treatment notes, reports, and related sensitive health information) securely in our electronic practice management and clinical records system. This system is hosted in Australia.

Speech pathology students working under direct supervision are bound by the same confidentiality and privacy obligations as our qualified staff.

We do not engage in direct marketing, or use your information for promotional purposes. We do not share information for research, teaching, audits, or secondary uses without your explicit consent.

Photos, Audio, or Video Recordings
If we take any photos, video recordings, audio recordings, or similar, these are stored securely within our Australian-based practice management system and used only for your direct care, with your consent.

Overseas Disclosure
We do not disclose personal information overseas. All data is stored and processed within Australia.

Security and Data Breaches
We implement robust physical, technical, and administrative safeguards to protect your information from misuse, interference, loss, or unauthorised access. As a mobile practice, we maintain secure digital systems and strict staff protocols. In the unlikely event of a data breach likely to cause serious harm, we will promptly notify you and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) as required.

Retention of Records
We retain your records only as long as necessary for your care and to meet legal requirements (at least 7 years from your last contact). After this, records are securely destroyed or de-identified.

Access and Correction
You have the right to access and correct your personal information. Requests should be made in writing to the Manager. We will respond promptly (usually within 30 days), verify your identity, and provide access securely (e.g., in person, via registered post, or other secure electronic means). Access is provided free of charge except where extensive copying or postage costs apply (we will advise any reasonable fees in advance). We do not send sensitive information via unencrypted email.

Anonymity
Where practicable, you may interact with us anonymously or by pseudonym (e.g., initial enquiries), except where identification is required for safe care or by law.

Complaints
If you have concerns about your privacy, please contact the Manager – we will investigate thoroughly and respond promptly. If unsatisfied, you may escalate to the OAIC (www.oaic.gov.au or 1300 363 992).

Changes to this Policy
We may update this policy and will post changes on our website with the new effective date.

Contact Us
For privacy questions, access requests, or complaints:

Privacy Contact: The Manager
Hobart Allied Health Pty Ltd
Email via website contact form below: