Privacy & Confidentiality
The below information describes the policy of Cairns Psychologists for the management of client information. All psychological services provided are bound by the legal requirements of the National Privacy Principles from the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 and by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) Ethical Guidelines.
Storage of Client Information
All client files are held in secure filing cabinets, accessible only by treating
psychologists. The information on each file includes personal data such as
name, contact details, treatment notes, and any other information relevant
to the psychological service being provided.
Purpose of Holding Information
Information about clients is gathered as part of the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of the individual’s condition. The information is retained in order to document what happens during sessions and enables the psychologist to provide relevant and informed psychological services.
Fee Payment
Fees are payable at the end of the session by cash or EFTPOS, and in some cases Direct Deposit.
You may be able to access a rebate for services if you are a member of a Private Health Care Fund or have been issued with a current Mental Health Care Plan from your treating General Practitioner (GP) or Psychiatrist. Medicare Rebates can be claimed directly at Cairns Psychologists’ office at time of payment.
Confidentiality
All personal information gathered during the provision of psychological services, will remain confidential and secure except when:
- It is subpoenaed by a Court of Law;
- Failure to disclose the information would place the client or another person at risk; or
- The client’s prior approval has been obtained to:
- Provide a written report to another professional or agency, e.g., a GP or lawyer; or to
- Discuss the material with another person, e.g., GP, employer, parent, or teacher.
Concerns
If a client has any concerns about the management of their personal information, please inform Leah Rawlings, principal of Cairns Psychologists. Upon request, a client can obtain a copy of the National Privacy Principles, which describes the client’s rights and how client information should be handled. Ultimately, if a client wishes to lodge a formal complaint about the use of, or access to, their personal information, they may do so with the Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner on 1300 363 992 or GPO Box 5218, Sydney, NSW, 1042.