Privacy policy
Barefoot Allied Health ("we," "us," "our") is committed to protecting the privacy of your personal information. This policy explains how we collect, use, store, and disclose information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988, including the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and applicable health records law.
By using our website or engaging our services, you agree to the practices described in this policy.
1. What information we collect
Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect:
Contact details — name, phone number, email address, postal address
Health information — information relevant to assessments, therapy, or group programs, including referral information, developmental and medical history, assessment results, and clinical notes. Health information is treated as "sensitive information" under the Privacy Act and receives a higher level of protection.
Funding and billing information — Medicare, NDIS, private health fund, or other payment details relevant to your care
Enquiry and website information — details submitted through contact or booking forms, and technical information such as IP address, browser type, and pages visited (see Cookies and website analytics below)
2. How we collect information
We collect information:
Directly from you (or your parent/guardian, if you are a minor) — via phone, email, online enquiry forms, intake paperwork, or in person
From referring practitioners, schools, or other health professionals, with your consent
From third parties such as Medicare or NDIS, where relevant to your care and funding
Automatically through our website (e.g. via cookies or analytics/advertising tools — see below)
3. Why we collect and use your information
We use your information to:
Provide clinical services — one-on-one therapy, group programs, and psychological assessments
Communicate with you about appointments, assessments, and your care
Process referrals, Medicare rebates, and NDIS claims
Meet our legal, regulatory, and professional (AHPRA) obligations, including clinical record-keeping
Respond to enquiries made through our website
Improve our website and services
We do not use your health information for marketing purposes without your express consent.
4. Disclosure of information
We only disclose your information where:
You have consented (e.g. to a referring GP, school, or another treating professional)
It is required to process funding or claims (e.g. Medicare, NDIS)
We are required or authorised by law (e.g. mandatory reporting obligations, a court order)
It is necessary to prevent a serious threat to health or safety
We do not sell your personal information.
5. Website tools, cookies, and advertising
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies, including tools such as the Meta (Facebook) Pixel, to understand how visitors use our site and to measure the effectiveness of our advertising. These tools may collect information such as your IP address and browsing behaviour on our site, and may be used to show you relevant ads on Facebook or Instagram. This information is handled in accordance with Meta's own privacy policy in addition to ours.
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect how some parts of our website function.
6. Storage and security
We store personal and health information securely, using Zanda. We take reasonable steps to protect information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure, including restricted staff access and secure electronic storage.
Health records are retained in accordance with our professional and legal obligations (in Queensland, generally a minimum of 7 years for adults, and until a minor turns 25).
7. Access and correction
You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you, and to request correction if it is inaccurate or out of date. Requests can be made in writing to admin@barefootalliedhealth.com.au. We may charge reasonable fees to reimburse the costs of providing this information. We will need to verify your identity before releasing information, and in limited circumstances (e.g. where access may pose a risk to health or safety) access may be provided through a treating professional.
8. Complaints
If you have a concern about how we've handled your personal information, please contact us at admin@barefootalliedhealth.com.au so we can address it. If you're not satisfied with our response, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au.
9. Children's information
Where services involve a minor, we collect and use information with the consent of a parent or guardian, consistent with our clinical and legal obligations.
10. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The current version will always be available on our website.
11. Contact us
Barefoot Allied Health Bundaberg South, QLD Phone: 0493 897 865 Email: admin@barefootalliedhealth.com.au