Personal information refers to information or an opinion, whether true or not, about an individual whose identity is apparent or could be reasonably ascertained from that information or opinion. 

Sensitive personal information includes; ethnic or racial origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs or affiliations, membership of a professional or trade association, health, sexual preferences, practices or activities, and criminal record. 

At Central Coast Family Support Services we are committed to protecting the privacy rights of all individuals. We are bound to the principles contained within the following privacy legislation: 

1. Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) 
2. Australian Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act 2012 
3. Privacy and Personal information Act 1998 (NSW) 
4. Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW) (HRIP Act) 
5. Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPAAct) 

We are also bound by the 

• Australian Privacy Principles (Cth) (APP) of the Privacy Act 1988 
• Health Privacy Principles (HPP) of the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW); and 
• Information Privacy Principles (IPP) under the Privacy and Personal Information Act 1998 (NSW)

What kinds of personal information do we collect and hold? 

Information and data collection is a requirement of many Central Coast Family Support Services funding contracts with Government and other partnerships. 

We only collect information when: 

• It is for a lawful purpose directly related to providing services, and 
• It is reasonably necessary for us to have this information.

We only collect personal information if both of the above tests are met, and one or more of the following applies; 

• You have consented 
• The collection is required by law 
• It is needed to deal with a serious and imminent threat to any person (and the person is incapable of giving consent) or to the general public.

Information will only be collected directly from you, from a third party if you consent, or from your legally recognised or appointed representative. You, or your legally recognised representative, must provide informed consent before your personal information can be collected and disclosed. 

• Access to information systems is controlled through identity and access management
• Employees are bound by internal information security procedures and are required to keep information secure
• All employees are required to complete training about confidential information security and are required to sign a code-of-conduct as part of their employment
• We regularly monitor and review our compliance with internal policies and industry best practice
• Our website uses 128 bit SSL security to protect personal information online.

• Whether we hold your personal information
• What type of information we hold about you
• The purposes for which the information will be used
• How you can access the information.

If you request access to your personal information, it will be provided without unreasonable expense or delay, unless:

• This would pose a serious and imminent threat to the life, health or safety of any individual
• This would unreasonably affect the privacy of other individuals
• The information is related to existing or anticipated legal proceedings between the organisation and yourself and this information could not be obtained by the legal process of discovery in those proceedings
• It would be unlawful to provide access
• Denying access is required or authorised by law
• Providing access would be likely to prejudice an investigation into possible unlawful activity.

• For the primary purpose for which it was collected; or
• For a directly related secondary purpose within your reasonable expectations as a client; or
• With your consent; or
• To deal with a serious and imminent threat to personal or public health or safety; or
• Where authorised or required by law.

• With your written consent; or
• To deal with a serious and imminent threat to personal or public health or safety; or
• Where authorised or required by law.