Unified Psychology is committed to protecting your personal information. We comply with the Australian Privacy Principles (Privacy Act 1988) and our professional obligations under AHPRA.

 

This policy explains how we collect, store, use, disclose, and manage your personal information, including how you can access or correct your records, or make a complaint.

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What Information We Collect 

 

Personal Information

 

Your information is stored securely and accessed only by your psychologist and the authorised staff or providers of the practice, as required, in accordance with the practice’s policies and procedures.  
Your information is stored using secure electronic systems that adhere to Australian Privacy laws. 
The information collected includes your personal details such as name, address and contact phone numbers. As part of providing a psychological service, such as a psychological assessment or treatment, we will also need to collect and record other personal information that is relevant to your current situation. This includes keeping a record of what happens during sessions, any psychological tests you complete, and any information received from others, such as your GP, lawyer or insurance company.  

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Sensitive Information 

This includes health information and other sensitive data such as:

• Racial or ethnic origin

• Religious beliefs

• Sexual orientation

• Criminal history

 

We collect sensitive information only when necessary for treatment and with your consent.

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How Your Personal Information is Collected

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There are a number of ways your personal information is collected, including when:  

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• You provide information directly to your psychologist in your session and in writing such as letters, email or text messages.

• You interact directly with psychologist and employees such as our administration staff of Unified Psychology.

• Other health practitioners, such as your GP, provide personal information to Unified Psychology Psychologists, through referrals, correspondence and medical reports.

• We receive personal information from other sources, such as lawyers, employers or insurance companies through correspondence or reports, and 

• In emergencies where you cannot provide consent. 

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Purpose of Holding Personal Information 

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Your personal information is gathered and used for the purpose of providing a psychological service to you. Your personal information is retained in order to document what happens during sessions and enables your psychologist to provide a relevant and informed psychological service to you. This information and record keeping is a necessary part of the services provided and guides treatment.

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Consequence of Not Providing Personal Information

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Psychologists are required to keep clear and accurate client records as part of their professional obligations. 
If you do not wish for your personal information to be collected, we may not be able to provide the psychological service to you. Please discuss any concerns you have with your psychologist.

 

Consent

 

When you attend Unified Psychology, you will be asked to sign a consent form that outlines how we will handle your personal information. By signing, you consent to the collection, storage, use, and disclosure of your information as described in this policy. For children or individuals unable to provide consent, a parent or guardian may provide consent.

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Sharing Your Information

 

We will not sell, rent, or lease your personal information.

We may disclose information:

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• With your written consent (e.g., to a GP, insurer, or legal representative)

• When required by law (e.g., subpoena, mandatory reporting)

• To other health professionals involved in your care (with consent)

 

Personal information may be transferred across state borders for secure storage and management.

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Storage and Security 

 

We take reasonable steps to protect your information from misuse, loss, or unauthorised access. Security measures include:

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• Secure, encrypted client database

• Password-protected digital notes and server

• Restricted staff access (need-to-know basis)

• Daily off-site backups

• Locked screens and secure office network

• Secure storage of paper records

 

We retain your information as long as required for treatment and legal obligations. When no longer required, we securely destroy or de-identify records.

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Access and Correction to Personal Information

 

At any stage you may request to see and correct the personal information about you kept on file. Your psychologist may discuss the contents with you and/or give you a copy, subject to the exceptions in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).  

 

If your psychologist is satisfied that your personal information is inaccurate, out of date or incomplete, reasonable steps will be taken in the circumstances to ensure that this information is corrected. All requests by you for access to or correction of personal information held about you should be lodged with your psychologist or our administration staff.  

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All written requests for access to information will be responded to in writing within 30 days (as per the Privacy Act) days and an appointment will be made if necessary for clarification purposes.  

 

Confidentiality of Information

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Personal information gathered by your psychologist will remain confidential except for certain circumstances. In most cases, any sharing of information will only occur with your consent. 

 

Our practice asks for your consent to share information when:

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• Sharing information with a family member, guardian or carer.

• Discussing with others, such as your GP, employer, or any agencies which may be paying for your attendance.

• Providing a written report regarding your assessment or treatment to another professional or agency, such as your GP, lawyer or insurance company.

• For disclosing the information in any other way not referenced in this document.

 

Psychologists are required to consult and receive supervision from colleagues from time to time. If your information is shared in this context, all care is taken to de-identify your information in such a way that you remain anonymous. 

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Exceptions to Confidentiality

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There are times when your psychologist may release your information without obtaining your consent such as: 

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• When a court requires information by issuing a subpoena, or providing information is otherwise required or authorised by law.

• When it is required because the psychologist must make a mandatory report on a concern.

• When the psychologist discloses information because they believe you or someone else is at risk of serious harm.

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Notifiable Data Breaches 

 

A data breach occurs when personal information is lost, accessed, disclosed, or altered without authorisation.

 

Assessment 

 

If a data breach is suspected, we will assess the incident within 30 days to determine whether it is an eligible data breach under the Privacy Act 1988.

 

Notification 

 

If the breach is likely to result in serious harm, we will:

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• Notify affected individuals as soon as practicable

• Notify the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)

 

Information Provided 

 

Affected individuals will be informed of:

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• What happened

• What information was involved

• Steps taken to contain and prevent further harm

• Steps individuals can take to protect themselves

• Contact details for further support

 

Online Privacy and Cookies 

 

Our website may collect anonymous technical information (browser type, pages visited) to improve our services. This data is not linked to your personal identity.

 

We use cookies to enhance website functionality. You may disable cookies in your browser settings, but this may affect site functionality.

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Concerns

 

If you have concerns about how your personal information is handled, contact us via phone or email.

 

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner:

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• By phone on 1300 363 992.

• Online at https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-complaints/lodge-a-privacy-complaint-with-us

• By post to: Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, GPO Box 5288, Sydney, NSW 2001. 

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Last updated 18th January 2026

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