Privacy Policy

At Simplify Speech, your privacy is extremely important to us. We understand that you trust us with sensitive personal information, particularly relating to the health and development of children. We are committed to maintaining the confidentiality and security of all client information in accordance with:

• The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth),
   
• The Australian Privacy Principles (APPs),
   
• Speech Pathology Australia’s Code of Ethics, and
   
• The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Practice Standards.
   

This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and disclose your personal information, and how you can access or amend your details. It also outlines your rights under Australian privacy laws.

By engaging our services, visiting our website, or providing us with personal information, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

We collect a variety of personal information that is necessary for us to deliver safe, appropriate, and high-quality speech pathology services. This may include:

• Identity Details: Names, dates of birth, gender, and contact details.
   
• Health Information: Medical history, diagnoses, reports from other health professionals, medications, allergies, and developmental milestones.
   
• NDIS Information: Participant numbers, plan details (plan-managed, self-managed, agency-managed), support coordinator information, and funding arrangements.
   
• Background Information: School details, previous assessments, family history relevant to communication or feeding/swallowing issues.
   
• Session Notes and Progress Reports: Documentation of therapy sessions, progress summaries, and therapy plans.
   
• Payment and Financial Information: Invoices, billing information, payment methods, and insurance claims.
   

Sensitive health information is only collected with your informed consent and is treated with the highest level of confidentiality.

We may collect personal information through:

• Direct communication: When you fill out our intake forms, register via our website, contact us by email, phone, or in person.
   
• Third parties: Information from doctors, specialists, schools, early childhood centres, or NDIS representatives with your consent.
   
• Online services: Through the use of our website contact forms, online therapy platforms, email communication, and telehealth sessions.
   

All information collected electronically is protected by secure encryption protocols.

Your information is collected primarily for the purposes of:

• Service Delivery: To assess, diagnose, and provide speech, language, feeding, swallowing, and communication therapy services.
   
• Care Coordination: To liaise with other healthcare providers, educational institutions, support coordinators, and NDIS partners, where appropriate and consented.
   
• Compliance: To meet obligations under law, Speech Pathology Australia’s standards, and the NDIS Practice Standards.
   
• Administration: To manage appointments, process payments, and facilitate communications.
   
• Quality Improvement: To monitor, evaluate, and improve our services for better client outcomes.
   
• Research and Professional Development (only with explicit consent): De-identified data may be used to contribute to professional knowledge and evidence-based practice.
   

We will not use your personal information for any purpose other than those outlined above without obtaining your consent.

We take all reasonable steps to protect the personal information we hold from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. Our safeguards include:

• Electronic Security: Use of encrypted practice management systems, secure email protocols, regular software updates, and antivirus protection.
   
• Physical Security: Locked filing cabinets for hardcopy documents, restricted access to offices.
   
• Access Control: Staff access to client information is strictly on a need-to-know basis, based on their role.
   
• Staff Training: All team members are regularly trained on privacy obligations and ethical responsibilities.
   

If we become aware of a data breach that is likely to result in serious harm, we will act swiftly to contain the breach and comply with our obligations under the Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme.

We proudly deliver services to participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and fully comply with the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework.

In line with NDIS expectations:

• We maintain accurate and up-to-date client records.
   
• We ensure the confidentiality of participant information.
   
• We respect participants’ right to access and control their personal information.
   
• We report any breaches to the NDIS Commission where necessary.
   

All NDIS-related information is managed to ensure alignment with participant goals and individualised service delivery.

We will only share your information under the following circumstances:

• With your consent: To other healthcare providers, teachers, support coordinators, or family members involved in your care.
   
• When required by law: To government authorities, courts, or law enforcement bodies.
   
• For NDIS compliance: Submission of required reports or invoices to the NDIS, as part of funding and accountability measures.
   
• To our service providers: Where external providers (such as IT consultants or legal advisors) are assisting our business and have agreed to maintain confidentiality.
   

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties.

You have the right to:

• Request access to the personal information we hold about you.
   
• Request correction of your personal information if it is inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date.
   

Requests can be made by contacting us directly. We aim to respond to access or correction requests within 30 days. In certain circumstances, we may refuse access (for example, if it would interfere with the privacy of others), but we will explain why.

If you have concerns about the handling of your personal information, please contact us immediately. We take privacy complaints seriously and will investigate and respond in a timely manner.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you can lodge a complaint with:

• Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC): www.oaic.gov.au
   
• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: www.ndiscommission.gov.au
   

When you use our website:

• We may collect information such as browser type, operating system, and pages viewed.
   
• We may use cookies to enhance your experience and analyse website traffic.
   
• You may opt out of cookies by adjusting your browser settings, but some functionality may be affected.
   

Our website may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party sites.

This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in our practices, services, or legal obligations. An updated copy will always be available on our website, and significant changes will be communicated to you directly if necessary.

We encourage you to review our Privacy Policy regularly.