Electronic media and your privacy

Carers Association of South Australia Inc.(‘Carers SA’) publishes a website, social media sites and other electronic communications (‘our electronic media’) to provide information for the benefit of caring families, the professionals who support them, the funding bodies, agencies and individuals who support initiatives for caring families, and the general public.

This privacy statement is part of the terms and conditions under which you agree to use our electronic media.

We respect your privacy.

Carers SA takes seriously its responsibilities to preserve the privacy of all individuals and has prepared this Privacy Statement to outline how we handle your personal information and your right to access it. It applies to all aspects of our organization.

This Privacy Statement is based on the Carers SA Privacy Policy, a copy of which can be obtained from us on request. Just phone our Goodwood office (08) 8291 5600 or 1800 815 549.

This Privacy Policy Statement may be amended from time to time to take account of new legislation and advances in technology. Any personal information we hold will be governed by the most recent Carers SA Privacy Policy

Our obligations under the Privacy Act 1988

Carers SA is bound by the National Privacy Principles contained in the Commonwealth Privacy Act, which regulate how organizations may collect, use, disclose and store personal information and how individuals may access and correct personal information held about them

We make all staff, volunteers and board members aware of the requirements of our privacy policy, and the need to respect the confidentiality of client information and the privacy of individuals

Carers SA regards any breach of privacy very seriously and will impose disciplinary action, including dismissal, if appropriate.

What is Personal Information?

Personal information (as defined in the Privacy Act) means information or an opinion whether true or not, and whether recorded in a material form or not, about an individual whose identity is apparent, or can reasonably be ascertained, from the information or opinion.

What Personal Information do we collect?

We collect personal information directly from the individual using the services of Carers SA, most usually the Carer, and we will obtain your consent to collect information.

The type of personal information we may collect can include (but is not limited to) name, address, date of birth, contact details for the Carer and also personal & health information about you & who you may be caring for i.e. the Care Recipient.

We will only collect personal information for purposes which are directly related to Carers SA services, and only when it is necessary so we can give you the best and most appropriate service. 

This may include but is not limited to:

- to provide specific Carer services

- to provide and mail out requested resources

- to monitor the profile of carers in South Australia and people being cared for

- to provide statistical data to various bodies for funding and lobbying purposes (information is de-identified)

- to advise Carers & members of upcoming functions and mail out Newsletters. 

You may of course choose to remain anonymous although this may limit the services then available to support you. 

Confidentiality Statement re State and Federal Government funding requirement to collect a Minimum Data Set (MDS) of Information 

Minimum Data Set requirements specify information which must be collected from you

Therefore Carers SA advises the users of its services that Carers SA may release information about MDS clients (which is de-identified i.e. does not disclose name, or address) to State and Federal Government funding bodies and to the National or State Data Repository.

Users of Carers SA services are advised that this will enable the collection of information about government funded services and their consumers. The information will be kept confidential. This information is to be used for statistical purposes only and will not be used to affect individual entitlements to, or access to, services.

Use and Disclosure

We only use personal information for the purposes for which it was given to us, or for purposes which are directly related to our services or activities, and we do not give it to other government agencies, organizations or anyone else unless one of the following applies: 

• the Carer or individual has consented 

• the Carer or individual would reasonably expect, or has been told, that information of that kind is usually passed to those individuals, bodies or agencies 

• it is required or authorized by law 

• it will prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to somebody's life or health 

As stated above, any information used for statistical analysis is de-identified. 

We may ask Carers from time to time to take part in client surveys and research studies, for which prior consent will always be obtained. You will always be able to elect not to take part in such research or surveys.

Carers SA may also use personal information for the purpose of quality improvement proceeses including accredited external quality audits. This may involve random inspection of individual files by professional auditors to ensure quality standards such as confidentiality are maintained at all times.

Data Quality & Data Security

We have procedures to ensure that the personal information we collect is accurate, up to date and complete. 

Carers SA takes steps to protect the personal information we hold against loss, unauthorized access, use, modification or disclosure and against other misuse. These steps include password protection for electronic files, securing paper files in locked cabinets and physical access restrictions. 

When no longer required, personal information is destroyed in a secure manner. 

Access and Correction - Keeping Personal Information Up To Date

Carers SA takes special care to ensure that the personal information it holds is accurate and up to date. You can request access to the personal information Carers SA holds about you, or you can request that we change that personal information.

We will allow access or make the changes unless we consider that there is a sound reason under the Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act 1982 or other relevant law to withhold the information.

Personal Information can be updated by Carers and members calling Carers SA in the Goodwood office on 1800 815 549 or the Carer Advisory Service on 1800 242 636 with any general queries. 

Our Electronic media including our website

You can access and browse our electronic media without disclosing personal information.

The Carers SA website contains links to other sites. Carers SA is not responsible for the privacy practices of any third parties nor are they responsible for the material contained in a website that is linked to the Carers SA website.

Complaints Process

Carers SA has a comprehensive complaints process should an individual have any concern or complaint regarding a privacy matter.

How to Contact Us

If you wish to contact us about our services, obtain access to or change your personal information, or make any other enquiry, then please call Carers SA on (08) 8291 5600 or 1800 815 549.

More Information

If you would like further information about your Privacy you can download our full Privacy Policy here.