Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 1 March 2020 (Reviewed Annually)
Last Updated: 23/07/2025

At Googong Family Practice, your privacy is important to us. We are committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and relevant state and territory laws.

This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal and health-related information. It also explains how you may request access to your information, correct inaccuracies, and lodge privacy-related complaints.

Information We Collect

To provide high-quality medical care, we collect personal and sensitive information including:

Name, address, contact details, and date of birth
Medicare and health insurance details
Medical history, family health information, and treatment notes
Test results and diagnostic reports
Payment information such as credit card or bank details

We may collect this information from:

You directly (in person, over the phone, online)
Referring specialists, hospitals, radiologists, pathologists, and allied health professionals
The My Health Record system
Family members or carers (in emergencies)

How We Use and Disclose Your Information

Your personal health information is kept strictly confidential. It is used or disclosed only for purposes directly related to your medical care, including:

Diagnosing and treating your condition
Referring you to specialists or allied health professionals
Sharing test results and medical reports
Managing billing, Medicare, and health fund claims
Coordinating care through the My Health Record system

We may also disclose your information when required or authorised by law, such as to:

Medicare, government health departments or agencies
Courts, tribunals, or law enforcement
Professional indemnity insurers or legal representatives
Accredited research bodies (deidentified information only)

We may engage third-party service providers (e.g. IT, legal, or debt collection services) who are bound by confidentiality agreements to protect your data

How We Protect Your Personal Information

Googong Family Practice takes reasonable steps to ensure your data remains secure, accurate, and up to date. Our safeguards include:

Secure, password-protected medical records systems
Restricted access based on staff roles
Locked storage cabinets and secure premises
Staff training on data privacy and confidentiality

We regularly review our data protection policies to maintain compliance with Australian privacy laws.

Accessing and Updating Your Medical Records

You have the right to request access to your personal health records. To do so:

Please make a written request to our Privacy Officer (contact details below)
We will respond within a reasonable timeframe
A small administration fee may apply

Access may be limited in certain circumstances (e.g. where it poses a serious threat to your health or safety). If access is denied, you will be informed of the reason and your options for appeal.

To request corrections to inaccurate or outdated information, please contact us in writing. We aim to resolve correction requests promptly.

Data Retention

As required by Australian law, we retain medical records for a specific period depending on your age and the type of care provided. These records are securely archived and disposed of responsibly when no longer required.

Complaints About Your Privacy

If you believe we have breached your privacy, we encourage you to contact us in writing. We treat all complaints seriously and aim to resolve them in accordance with our internal procedures.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may escalate the matter to:

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
Website: www.oaic.gov.au
Phone: 1300 363 992

Overseas Disclosure

Googong Family Practice does not disclose or transfer your personal information to overseas recipients unless:

You provide written consent, or
It is required or authorised by law

Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or wish to make a privacy-related request, please contact:

Privacy Officer – Googong Family Practice

Email: admin@googongfp.com.au
Mail: PO Box 300, Jerrabomberra, NSW 2619