Privacy policy

This Policy explains how Neami collects, uses, stores, and protects personal information. Neami follows the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), along with other privacy and health record laws. 

This Policy applies to: 

• All Neami services 

• All staff, Directors, students, volunteers, and subcontractors 

Neami respects everyone’s right to privacy. We are committed to managing personal information in an open and transparent way in line with the Privacy Act and APPs.

Neami only collects information that we need to provide our services and run our organisation. 

Information collected from consumers

• Contact details (name, address, phone number) 

• Personal details (gender, cultural background) 

• Health information (medical history) 

Information collected from employees

• Contact details 

• Bank details 

• Work history 

• References 

• Health information 

We only collect information that is relevant and necessary. We also take steps to make sure the information is correct, up-to-date, and complete. 

Where possible, individuals can choose not to give their name or can use a different name. 

Before or at the time information is collected, people are given a consent form or a written/electronic privacy notice. These explain why the information is being collected, how it will be used, and who it may be shared with. 

Neami only uses or shares personal information when: 

• It is needed to provide services or care 

• The individual gives consent 

• The law requires or allows it 

• A funding agreement requires it 

• It is needed to meet duty of care 

• There is a serious threat to someone’s safety and consent is not practical 

• It is expected and directly related to providing health services 

• It is allowed under family violence information-sharing laws 

Inside the organisation, we only share information with staff who need to know it. 

Neami does not use personal information for direct marketing without consent. 

Neami stores information in paper files, digital files, or both. We take steps to protect it from misuse, loss, or unauthorised access. 

This includes: 

• Password protection 

• Secure storage areas 

• Safe destruction or deletion when information is no longer needed 

When Neami no longer needs personal information, it is securely destroyed or permanently deleted, whether it is on paper or in digital form. 

People can ask to access their personal information. Neami will provide access unless there is a lawful reason not to. 

People can also ask for their information to be corrected if it is wrong or incomplete. 

Neami websites collect general information such as when and how the site is used, the user’s location, and device or browser details. 

Websites do not collect personal information unless someone fills out a form. 

Neami may collect and use information that does not identify a person for research or quality improvement. 

Contact the National Complaints Officer with questions or concerns: 

Email: feedback@neaminational.org.au 

Phone: 1300 147 600

If not satisfied, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). 

If a serious privacy or data breach occurs, Neami must report it to the OAIC. 

Neami gets consent before using someone’s personal information in communications. 

Neami does not share information with overseas organisations unless allowed by law. 

Neami does not use government numbers (like Medicare or Centrelink numbers) as its own identifiers unless required by law. 

Neami completes privacy impact assessments for new or changing projects involving personal information. 

Australian Privacy Principles are the principles for the management of personal information in Schedule 1 to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).  

Health information means information about an individual’s health, including information collected in connection to receiving a health service.   

Personal information means information or an opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable. Where this Policy refers to personal information, it includes sensitive and health information.  

Sensitive information includes health information about an individual. It also includes information or an opinion about an individual’s racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of political associations, religious beliefs or affiliations, philosophical beliefs or affiliations, membership of professional or trade associations, membership of a trade union, sexual orientation or practices, and criminal records.  

Supporting external documents 

• Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) 

• Australian Privacy Principles 

Policies 

• Consumer Records Policy  

• Corporate Records Policy 

• Consumer Information Sharing Policy  

• Information Technology Policy  

Procedures 

• Notifiable Privacy Breaches Procedure 

• Consumer Information Sharing Procedure  

• Privacy Impact Assessment Procedure 

Above is a simplified version of Neami’s Privacy Policy.

For more information on this Policy or to receive the detailed version, contact the National Complaints Officer: 

Email: feedback@neaminational.org.au