Privacy Policy

Effective: August 2025
ABN: 78 376 449 727

Autism Assessment Specialists is committed to protecting your privacy and personal information in accordance with the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988, including the Australian Privacy Principles. This Privacy Policy applies to all personal information collected by us in the course of providing psychological services to clients, engaging with prospective clients, interacting with the public through our website, and managing relationships with healthcare professionals and third-party service providers.

By using our services or visiting our website (www.autismassessmentspecialists.com.au), you agree to the terms outlined in this policy.

1. Definitions

“Autism Assessment Specialists”, “we”, “us”, “our” refers to Autism Assessment Specialists Pty Ltd, ABN 78 376 449 727.
“You”, “your” refers to any individual whose personal information we collect, store, or manage.
“Personal information” refers to any information that identifies or can identify you.
“Sensitive information” includes health information, racial or ethnic origin, religious beliefs, or other personal details as defined in the Privacy Act.

2. What Personal Information We Collect

We collect personal information only where necessary to deliver psychological services or manage our business operations. This may include:

Name, date of birth, contact details (email, phone number, address)
Medical and developmental history
Emergency contact information
Medicare/DVA numbers and referral details
Financial information (e.g., bank account details for payment processing)
Assessment results and clinical observations
Information from other professionals (e.g., GP, paediatricians, allied health providers)
Website usage data via Google Analytics

For healthcare professionals and service providers, we may also collect:

Name, qualifications, professional registration details
Contact information and practice address
Medicare provider number (if applicable)

3. How We Collect Information

We collect personal information:

Directly from you via phone, email, forms, SMS, online bookings, or in-person
Through our website and social media platforms
From third parties such as GPs, paediatricians, allied health professionals, carers, or legal guardians
With your permission, from funding bodies like NDIS or Medicare

If you provide information about another person, you must have their consent and inform them about our Privacy Policy.

4. How We Store and Protect Your Information

Your personal information is stored securely in electronic systems and, where applicable, paper-based files.

We take reasonable steps to protect your data by:

Using password-protected systems and two-factor authentication
Conducting regular security and privacy audits
Storing physical documents in secure facilities
Ensuring access is restricted to authorised personnel only

By law, we retain clinical records for 7 years or, if the client is a minor, until they reach 25 years of age.

Please note: While we take care to secure your information, no internet-based service can guarantee complete security. You are responsible for safeguarding any reports or information provided to you.

5. Why We Collect Personal Information

We collect and use your information to:

Determine suitability of services and make informed clinical decisions
Provide diagnostic and psychological services
Prepare comprehensive reports
Communicate via SMS/email (e.g., appointment reminders, resources)
Process payments and manage claims with Medicare, DVA, or NDIS
Respond to enquiries or feedback
Meet legal and regulatory obligations

Providing accurate and complete information is essential for safe and effective care. Incomplete or incorrect details may impact our ability to support you.

6. When We May Disclose Your Information

We will not disclose your information without consent, except where:

Required by law or court order
There is a serious risk to your safety or the safety of others
You would reasonably expect us to share it with involved health professionals (e.g., GP, hospital staff)
It is necessary for administrative purposes within our clinic (e.g., scheduling, billing)
Information is required by third-party funders (e.g., Medicare, NDIS)

We may also disclose information to other psychologists in our clinic if your treating psychologist is unavailable or where clinical consultation is necessary. Some data may be stored in systems hosted outside of Australia. We only engage reputable providers with appropriate privacy protections.

7. Website Analytics and Third-Party Links

Our website is hosted in the United States and uses Google Analytics to monitor traffic and usage patterns. This data does not personally identify users. By using our website, you consent to Google’s privacy practices. For more information, visit: Google’s Privacy Policy. We may also link to third-party websites (e.g., YouTube or Vimeo). We are not responsible for the privacy policies of those sites.

8. Accessing or Correcting Your Information

You may request access to, or correction of, your personal information by writing to us. We will respond within 30 days. We may ask for identification before providing access.

Please note:

In some cases, access may be declined where it may cause harm or is prohibited by law.
Clients requesting access to their psychological records may need to attend a feedback appointment to review the information with their treating psychologist. These appointments are billed privately.
We do not release raw clinical notes or reports without a court subpoena, to ensure information is interpreted safely and appropriately.

9. Privacy Concerns or Complaints

If you have concerns about your privacy or how your information has been handled, please contact us in writing:

Email: admin@autismassessmentspecialists.com.au

We will acknowledge your complaint, investigate it, and aim to resolve it within 30 days. If you're not satisfied with our response, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):
Website: www.oaic.gov.au

10. Data Breaches

We comply with the Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme. In the event of a serious breach that could cause harm, we will notify affected individuals and the OAIC promptly.

11. Updates to This Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on our website. Continued use of our services indicates your acceptance of the current policy.