Privacy Policy
Last updated: 30 August 2025
1. Introduction
49 Hardy Clinic (“we”, “our”, “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal and sensitive health information.
We comply with the Privacy Act 1988, including the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) ahpra.gov.au+1Wikipedia, and relevant guidance for health service providers ahpra.gov.au+15OAIC+15Wikipedia+15.
As a provider of cosmetic treatments, we also adhere to AHPRA expectations, including safe and private handling of health information ahpra.gov.au+15ahpra.gov.au+15apanetwork.com+15.
2. What Information We Collect
Personal Information
– Contact details: name, address, email, phone.
– Demographic details: date of birth, gender.
Health and Treatment Information
– Medical history, allergies, medications, consent forms, images (pre-/post-treatment), treatment plans, progress notes.
These qualify as ‘sensitive information’ under APPs.
3. How We Collect Information
We collect your information when you:
– Book appointments or complete intake forms.
– Engage in consultations or treatments.
– Communicate with us via phone/email/website.
We only collect information necessary for providing safe and effective care, in line with APP 3 (Collection of Solicited Personal Information) ahpra.gov.au+5OAIC+5ahpra.gov.au+5.
4. Why We Collect It & How We Use It
We use your information to:
• Provide consultations, treatment, continuity of care.
• Communicate with you (appointments, reminders).
• Meet legal, regulatory (AHPRA), or audit obligations.
• Improve service quality, with anonymized data.
Use and disclosures beyond these purposes are limited and handled in accordance with APPs, including any secondary uses (APP 6–9) ahpra.gov.au+2ahpra.gov.au+2ahpra.gov.au+14OAIC+14ahpra.gov.au+14ahpra.gov.au+15medicalboard.gov.au+15ahpra.gov.au+15.
5. Disclosure of Information
We may share information with:
• Your treating practitioners (e.g., GPs, specialists) for coordinated care.
• Pathology/labs, referral services, insurers (if applicable).
• Legal authorities as required by law.
• AHPRA or related bodies if mandated or under investigation.
No disclosure is made for marketing without your explicit consent.
6. Storage & Security
We secure your information through:
• Locked filing systems and secure digital storage.
• Access controls, audit logs, encryption, password protection.
• Regular backups and staff training on privacy.
This aligns with the sensitive nature of health data and better-practice security protocols (see APPs) ahpra.gov.auahpra.gov.auWikipedia.
7. Access & Correction
You may request to:
• Access your personal and health records.
• Request corrections if information is inaccurate.
We will respond within a reasonable timeframe and provide reasons for any refusal (as permitted under APP 12–13 and health-specific rules) OAIC.
8. Consent & Opt-Out Options
• We obtain explicit informed consent before collecting or using sensitive health information.
• You can withdraw consent at any time (except where legally restricted or part of a mandatory record).
9. Overseas Transfers
Your personal information is generally not transferred overseas. If ever required (e.g., cloud-based backups), we’ll ensure recipients provide APP-equivalent protections and inform you in advance.
10. Retention & Destruction
We retain records in line with legal and medical standards, typically 7 to 10 years (or longer for minors). Secure destruction methods (e.g., shredding, data wiping) are used once retention periods expire.
11. Special Considerations for Cosmetic Clinics
- We take additional care with pre- and post-treatment images; these are stored securely and only used with your explicit consent.
- We comply with AHPRA advertising guidelines by not glamorizing results, overstating outcomes, or exploiting vulnerability gov.auahpra.gov.au.
- Patient welfare is paramount; we assess psychological suitability and ensure fair financial arrangements gov.au+1.
12. Complaints & Queries
If you have questions or privacy concerns, please contact our Privacy Officer at:
- Email: privacy@49hardyclinic.au
- Phone: 0422 787 973
If unresolved, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)