This document describes the privacy policy of Bonacci Practice for the management of clients’ personal information. The psychological service provided is bound by the legal requirements of the Australian Privacy Principles set out in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). 

Client information

Client files are held in an electronic practice management system, which is accessible only to authorised employees and contractors. The information on each file includes personal information such as name, address, contact phone numbers, medical history, and other personal information collected as part of providing the psychological service. 

We use payment processing services to facilitate your payments. The operators of the payment processing services may collect your personal information when processing your payment. Our payment processors have their own privacy policies. You should read and consider them before you agree to make a payment for Our Services. We currently use Stripe: https://stripe.com/au/legal/privacy-center#welcome-to-the-stripe-privacy-cente and Splose: https://splose.com/privacy-policy

How clients’ personal information is collected

A client’s personal information is collected in several ways during psychological consultation with Bonacci Practice, including when the client provides information directly to Bonacci Practice using online forms, hardcopy forms, correspondence via email, when the client interacts directly with Bonacci Practice employees such as the receptionist, and when other health practitioners provide personal information to Bonacci Practice via referrals, correspondence and medical reports. 

Consequence of not providing personal information

If the client does not wish for their personal information to be collected in a way anticipated by this Privacy Policy, Bonacci Practice may not be able to provide the psychological service to the client. In some circumstances, clients may request to be anonymous or to use a pseudonym, unless it is impracticable for Bonacci Practice to deal with the client or if Bonacci Practice is required or authorised by law to deal with identified individuals. 

Purpose of holding personal information

A client’s personal information is gathered and used for the purpose of providing psychological services, which includes assessing, diagnosing, and treating a client’s presenting issue. The personal information is retained to document what happens during sessions and enables the practitioner to provide a relevant and informed psychological service. 

Disclosure of personal information

Clients’ personal information will remain confidential except when: 

1. it is subpoenaed by a court, or disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law; 

or 

2. failure to disclose the information would in the reasonable belief of Bonacci Practice place a client or another person at serious risk to life, health, or safety; or
3. the client’s prior approval has been obtained to: 
4. a) provide a written report to another agency or professional, e.g., a GP or a lawyer; 

or 

1. b) discuss the material with another person, e.g. a parent, employer, health provider, or third party funder; or 
2. c) disclose the information in another way; or 
3. d) disclose to another professional or agency (e.g. your GP) and disclosure of your personal information to that third party is for a purpose which is directly related to the primary purpose for which your personal information was collected.

A client’s personal information is not disclosed to other recipients unless the client consents or such disclosure is otherwise required by law. Clients’ personal information will not be used, sold, rented, or disclosed for any other purpose. 

If unauthorised access, disclosure, or loss of a client’s personal information occurs Bonacci Practice will activate its data breach plan and use all reasonable endeavours to minimise any risk of consequential serious harm. 

Requests for access and correction to client information

At any stage clients may request to see and correct the personal information about them kept on file. Depending on the information requested, the practitioner may discuss the contents with them and/or give them a copy, subject to the exceptions in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). If satisfied that personal information is inaccurate, out of date or incomplete, reasonable steps will be taken in these circumstances to ensure that this information is corrected. All requests by clients for access to, or correction of personal information held about them should be lodged with the Bonacci Practice Management Team. These requests will be responded to in writing within 10  business days, and an appointment will be made if necessary for clarification purposes. 

Cookies and Analytics

We, or our third-party service providers, may use cookies, web beacons (clear GIFs, web bugs) and similar technologies to track site visitor activity and collect site data. We may combine this data with the personal information we have collected from Clients. Examples of information that we may collect include technical information such as your computer’s IP address and your browser type, and information about your visit such as the products you viewed or searched for, the country you are in, what you clicked on and what links you visited to get to or from Bonacci Practice. If we identify you with this information, any use or disclosure of that information will be in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

Third-party Websites

This privacy policy does not apply to any third-party linked which may also collect and use information about you. We are not responsible for any of the information collected by any such third party.

At times, Bonacci Practice may contain links to other third-party websites. Any access to and use of such linked websites is not governed by this Privacy Policy, but, instead, is governed by the privacy policies of those third-party websites. We are not responsible for the information practices of such third-party websites.

Concerns

If clients have a concern about the management of their personal information, they may inform Bonacci Practice Management Team. Upon request they can obtain a copy of the Australian Privacy Principles, which describe their rights and how their personal information should be handled. Ultimately, if clients wish to lodge a formal complaint about the use of, disclosure of, or access to, their personal information, they may do so with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner by phone on 1300 363 992, online at http://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/making-a-privacy-complaint or by post to: Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, GPO Box 5218, Sydney, NSW 2001.

Changes to this Policy

We may change this Privacy Policy from time to time and where those changes materially impact, we will seek to give you notice in advance. This Privacy Policy is current as of March 2025.