1. Introduction
This Privacy Policy explains how SS Audiology Eighty Pty Ltd (ABN 57 702 553 964) (“we”, “us”, “our”), an audiology and hearing care practice based in Melbourne VIC, collects, holds, uses and discloses personal information. By using our website at https://ssaudiologyeighty.online or engaging our services, you agree to the practices described in this policy.
2. The Australian Privacy Principles
We are bound by the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). These principles govern how Australian organisations collect, store, use, disclose and secure personal information. Where we handle health information relating to our audiology and hearing care services, we take additional care because health information is treated as sensitive information under the Privacy Act.
3. What personal information we collect
The types of personal information we may collect include:
- your name, date of birth and contact details (email address and, where relevant, postal address);
- information you provide when you submit an enquiry or quote request through our website;
- health information relevant to audiology care, such as details of your hearing concerns, medical history you choose to share, and results of hearing assessments where you become a client;
- records of our communications with you, including emails and correspondence; and
- technical information such as browser type, device information and pages visited, collected when you use our website.
Where practicable, we collect personal information directly from you. If you provide us with personal information about another person, please ensure you have their permission to do so.
4. How we collect personal information
We generally collect personal information in the following ways:
- when you contact us by email, including through the email address ceo@ssaudiologyeighty.online;
- when you complete a form or request a quote on our website;
- during consultations and appointments, where you provide health and hearing-related information; and
- automatically through cookies and similar technologies when you browse our website.
5. Why we collect, use and disclose personal information
We collect, hold, use and disclose personal information so that we can:
- provide audiology and hearing care services to you;
- respond to your enquiries and prepare quotes for our services;
- manage appointments, records and our ongoing relationship with you;
- improve our website, services and client experience;
- comply with our legal, professional and regulatory obligations; and
- where you have consented, send you information about our services.
We will only use or disclose your personal information for the primary purpose for which it was collected, or for a related purpose you would reasonably expect, unless another exception under the Privacy Act applies.
6. Sensitive information and health records
Because we deliver audiology and hearing care services, we may handle sensitive information, including health information. We will only collect sensitive information where you have consented, where the collection is required or permitted by law, or where another exception in the Privacy Act applies. Health records are managed in accordance with the APPs and relevant Victorian health records legislation.
7. Disclosure of personal information to third parties
We do not sell your personal information. We may disclose personal information to third parties where reasonably necessary for our functions, including:
- service providers who assist us with website hosting, email, secure data storage or administrative functions;
- professional advisers such as accountants, auditors and lawyers; and
- government bodies, regulators or law enforcement agencies where required or authorised by law.
Where we engage third-party service providers, we take reasonable steps to ensure they handle personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act and the APPs.
8. Overseas disclosure
Some of our service providers, such as cloud hosting and email providers, may store or process data on servers located outside Australia. Where personal information may be disclosed to recipients overseas, we take reasonable steps to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, consistent with APP 8.
9. Security of personal information
We take reasonable steps to protect the personal information we hold from misuse, interference, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. These steps include appropriate physical, electronic and managerial safeguards. Personal information that we no longer require, and which we are not required to retain by law, will be destroyed or de-identified in a secure manner.
While we take care to protect information transmitted to us by email or through our website, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure. Please consider this when sending us personal information.
10. Access to and correction of your personal information
You may request access to the personal information we hold about you, and request correction of information that you believe is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant or misleading. To make a request, please email us using the details in section 15. We will respond to your request within a reasonable period. In limited circumstances, we may decline a request where permitted under the Privacy Act, and we will explain our reasons and the available complaint mechanisms if we do so.
11. Cookies and website analytics
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to improve functionality, understand how visitors use the site and enhance your experience. Most browsers allow you to manage or delete cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect some features of the website. Analytics data collected through the website is used in aggregate form and is not intended to identify individual visitors.
12. Direct marketing
We will only send you direct marketing communications where permitted by the Privacy Act and the Spam Act 2003 (Cth). Every marketing email we send will include a simple way to opt out of future communications. If you ask us not to send you marketing material, we will act on your request promptly and free of charge.
13. Notifiable data breaches
In the event of an eligible data breach that is likely to result in serious harm to individuals whose information is involved, we will comply with the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme under the Privacy Act, including assessing the breach and, where required, notifying affected individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) as soon as practicable.
14. Making a privacy complaint
If you have concerns about how we have handled your personal information, please contact us first so we can address the matter. We will acknowledge your complaint and aim to resolve it within a reasonable timeframe. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) via its website at www.oaic.gov.au.
15. Contacting us about privacy
For any questions about this Privacy Policy, to request access to your personal information, or to make a privacy-related enquiry or complaint, please contact our Privacy Officer:
SS Audiology Eighty Pty Ltd
ABN 57 702 553 964
Email: ceo@ssaudiologyeighty.online
Location: Melbourne VIC, Australia
16. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology or legal obligations. The current version will always be published on this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.