Privacy Policy
1. IntroductionMichael Gordon Audiology is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with care, transparency, and respect. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and disclose your personal information when you visit our website or engage with our services.We are bound by the *Privacy Act 1988* (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), as well as applicable health records legislation. We take these obligations seriously.If you have any questions about this policy or how we handle your information, please contact us using the details at the end of this document.
2. What Information We CollectWe may collect the following types ofinformation: Personal Information- Name, date of birth, and gender- Postal address, email address, and phone number- Medicare number and private health fund detailsHealth Information- Hearing assessments, audiograms, and test results- Medical history relevant to your hearing health- Referral information from GPs or specialists- Information about hearing devices and fittingsWebsite Usage Information- IP address and browser type- Pages visited and time spent on our website- Referring website addresses- Cookie and tracking data (see Section 7)We only collect information that is reasonably necessary for our functions as an audiology practice. 3. How We Collect Your InformationWe collect personal information in a number of ways:- Directly from you — when you complete an online enquiry form, book an appointment, or contact us by phone or email- From third parties — such as referring health professionals, Medicare, or your private health insurer, with your knowledge or consent- Automatically — through cookies and analytics tools when you use our website (see Section 7)Where possible, we will collect information directly from you.
4. Why We Collect and Use Your InformationWe use your personal information to:- Provide audiology consultations, assessments, and hearing healthcare services- Process appointments and follow-up care- Communicate with you about your hearing health- Submit claims to Medicare or private health insurers on your behalf- Comply with our legal and regulatory obligations- Improve our website and services- Respond to your enquiries and feedbackWe will not use your information for purposes other than those described in this policy, or purposes you would reasonably expect, without your consent.
5. Disclosure of Your InformationWe may share your personal information with:- Your GP or referring specialist — to coordinate your care- Medicare and private health funds— for billing and claims purposes- Hearing device suppliers and manufacturers — where necessary for fitting or warranty purposes- IT and software providers — who assist us in operating our practice management systems (these parties are required to handle your information in accordance with privacy law)- Government and regulatory bodies — where required by lawWe do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.If we disclose your health information to an overseas recipient, we will take reasonable steps to ensure it is protected in accordance with Australian privacy standards.
6. Health Information and Sensitive DataHealth information is treated as sensitive information under the *Privacy Act 1988* (Cth) and is afforded a higher level of protection. We collect, use, and disclose your health information only:- With your consent, or- Where permitted or required by law (for example, mandatory reporting obligations)You may withdraw consent at any time, though this may affect our ability to provide certain services. 7. Cookies and Website AnalyticsOur website uses cookies — small text files stored on your device — to improve your experience and understand how visitors use our site. We may use:-Essential cookies — necessary for the website to function- Analytics cookies — to collect anonymous data about site usage (such as through Google Analytics)You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect the functionality of certain parts of our website.We do not use cookies to collect sensitive personal or health information.
8. Data SecurityWe take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, interference, loss, and unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. These measures include:- Secure, password-protected practice management software- Encrypted data storage and transmission (SSL/TLS on our website)- Access controls limiting staff access to information on a need-to-know basis- Regular staff training on privacy obligationsNo method of data transmission over the internet is completely secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
9. Retention of Your InformationWe retain your personal and health information for as long as required by law and professional standards. Under Australian health records requirements, clinical records are generally retained for a minimum of 7 years from the date of last service (or until a patient turns 25, whichever is later).When information is no longer required, we securely destroy or de-identify it. 10. Your RightsYou have the right to:- Access your personal information held by us- Correct information that is inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date- Complain about a breach of your privacyTo make an access or correction request, please contact us using the details below. We will respond within 30 days. We may need to verify your identity before providing access.In some circumstances, we may decline access where permitted by law (for example, if providing access would pose a serious threat to health or safety). We will explain why if this is the case.
11. Links to Third-Party WebsitesOur website may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites and encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information. 12. ComplaintsIf you believe we have mishandled your personal information, we encourage you to contact us in the first instance so we can address your concern.If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the **Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)**:-Website: [www.oaic.gov.au](https://www.oaic.gov.au)- Phone: 1300 363 992
13. Changes to This PolicyWe may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The current version will always be available on our website, with the date of the most recent update noted at the top. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
14. Contact UsIf you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact us:Michael Gordon AudiologyEmail: info@michaelgordonaudiology.com.auPhone: 1300 176 714Address: Suite 4, 418 Kingsway, CARINGBAH 2229
This Privacy Policy is intended to comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles, and applicable state health records legislation. It does not constitute legal advice. We recommend seeking independent legal advice to confirm this policy meets all obligations applicable to your specific circumstances.
2. What Information We CollectWe may collect the following types ofinformation: Personal Information- Name, date of birth, and gender- Postal address, email address, and phone number- Medicare number and private health fund detailsHealth Information- Hearing assessments, audiograms, and test results- Medical history relevant to your hearing health- Referral information from GPs or specialists- Information about hearing devices and fittingsWebsite Usage Information- IP address and browser type- Pages visited and time spent on our website- Referring website addresses- Cookie and tracking data (see Section 7)We only collect information that is reasonably necessary for our functions as an audiology practice. 3. How We Collect Your InformationWe collect personal information in a number of ways:- Directly from you — when you complete an online enquiry form, book an appointment, or contact us by phone or email- From third parties — such as referring health professionals, Medicare, or your private health insurer, with your knowledge or consent- Automatically — through cookies and analytics tools when you use our website (see Section 7)Where possible, we will collect information directly from you.
4. Why We Collect and Use Your InformationWe use your personal information to:- Provide audiology consultations, assessments, and hearing healthcare services- Process appointments and follow-up care- Communicate with you about your hearing health- Submit claims to Medicare or private health insurers on your behalf- Comply with our legal and regulatory obligations- Improve our website and services- Respond to your enquiries and feedbackWe will not use your information for purposes other than those described in this policy, or purposes you would reasonably expect, without your consent.
5. Disclosure of Your InformationWe may share your personal information with:- Your GP or referring specialist — to coordinate your care- Medicare and private health funds— for billing and claims purposes- Hearing device suppliers and manufacturers — where necessary for fitting or warranty purposes- IT and software providers — who assist us in operating our practice management systems (these parties are required to handle your information in accordance with privacy law)- Government and regulatory bodies — where required by lawWe do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.If we disclose your health information to an overseas recipient, we will take reasonable steps to ensure it is protected in accordance with Australian privacy standards.
6. Health Information and Sensitive DataHealth information is treated as sensitive information under the *Privacy Act 1988* (Cth) and is afforded a higher level of protection. We collect, use, and disclose your health information only:- With your consent, or- Where permitted or required by law (for example, mandatory reporting obligations)You may withdraw consent at any time, though this may affect our ability to provide certain services. 7. Cookies and Website AnalyticsOur website uses cookies — small text files stored on your device — to improve your experience and understand how visitors use our site. We may use:-Essential cookies — necessary for the website to function- Analytics cookies — to collect anonymous data about site usage (such as through Google Analytics)You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect the functionality of certain parts of our website.We do not use cookies to collect sensitive personal or health information.
8. Data SecurityWe take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, interference, loss, and unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. These measures include:- Secure, password-protected practice management software- Encrypted data storage and transmission (SSL/TLS on our website)- Access controls limiting staff access to information on a need-to-know basis- Regular staff training on privacy obligationsNo method of data transmission over the internet is completely secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
9. Retention of Your InformationWe retain your personal and health information for as long as required by law and professional standards. Under Australian health records requirements, clinical records are generally retained for a minimum of 7 years from the date of last service (or until a patient turns 25, whichever is later).When information is no longer required, we securely destroy or de-identify it. 10. Your RightsYou have the right to:- Access your personal information held by us- Correct information that is inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date- Complain about a breach of your privacyTo make an access or correction request, please contact us using the details below. We will respond within 30 days. We may need to verify your identity before providing access.In some circumstances, we may decline access where permitted by law (for example, if providing access would pose a serious threat to health or safety). We will explain why if this is the case.
11. Links to Third-Party WebsitesOur website may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites and encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information. 12. ComplaintsIf you believe we have mishandled your personal information, we encourage you to contact us in the first instance so we can address your concern.If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the **Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)**:-Website: [www.oaic.gov.au](https://www.oaic.gov.au)- Phone: 1300 363 992
13. Changes to This PolicyWe may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The current version will always be available on our website, with the date of the most recent update noted at the top. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
14. Contact UsIf you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact us:Michael Gordon AudiologyEmail: info@michaelgordonaudiology.com.auPhone: 1300 176 714Address: Suite 4, 418 Kingsway, CARINGBAH 2229
This Privacy Policy is intended to comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles, and applicable state health records legislation. It does not constitute legal advice. We recommend seeking independent legal advice to confirm this policy meets all obligations applicable to your specific circumstances.