Privacy Policy
Collection of Personal Information
This privacy policy outlines the personal information handling practices of Gowrie SA, as outlined in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and, in particular the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
We collect, use, disclose and hold personal information necessary to provide our early childhood education and care, and related services, comply with legal and regulatory requirements, meet our funding and reporting obligations, and support the operation of our organisation. The type of personal information we may collect includes, but is not limited to, your name , address, date of birth, gender, contact details (email, phone) and financial or billing information, as well as sensitive information as defined by the Privacy Act (such as health information, and information about ethnicity, political opinions, religious beliefs, sexual preference etc).
We understand that from time to time you may not want to provide this information to us. Providing personal information is voluntary; however, it may mean that we are not able to provide you with the services you require.
We recognise that children’s personal information requires a higher standard of protection. We will take reasonable steps to ensure that any personal information about children is limited to what is reasonably necessary for the provision of our services and protected from misuse, interference, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. Consent of a parent or guardian is sought before taking and using photos, videos or other identifying material of children in social media, publications or marketing materials.
How we collect your personal information
We will generally collect your personal information directly from you. We may also collect personal information from others where it is reasonably necessary for us to provide our services or where permitted by law, such as from a parent or guardian, a nominated contact person, a referring agency, a government department, another service provider, a health professional, or another person authorised to provide information on your behalf.
We collect personal information in a range of ways, including:
- Through your access and use of our website and social media channels
- During conversations with you by telephone or in person
- Through written correspondence, including email
- When you complete forms, surveys, enrolment or intake documents, register for events, or submit a job application.
We also collect information through our website and social media channels using cookies and similar technologies. Session-based cookies collect website usage data to help us improve the functionality and usability of our website. We may use tools such as Google Analytics for this purpose.
By using our website, you consent to the use of cookies and the processing of data generated through your online activity in accordance with Google’s Privacy Policy. You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings, or opt out of Google Analytics tracking where available.
Use and disclosure of personal information
We use, hold and disclose personal information and sensitive information as necessary to provide our early childhood education and care and related services, comply with legal and regulatory obligations, and meet reporting, accountability, funding, audit and evaluation requirements associated with government-funded programs and services.
We generally use personal information for the purpose for which it was collected. For example, this may include enrolling children in our service, managing waiting lists, communicating with families and staff, managing accounts and billing, delivering services, carrying out reporting requirements, and processing employment applications.
We may also use personal information for related secondary purposes where you would reasonably expect us to do so, such as improving our services, provided that any use of sensitive information for a secondary purpose will only occur where permitted by law, including where directly related to the primary purpose, with consent, or as otherwise authorised.
We may disclose personal information to government departments, regulatory bodies, funding agencies, auditors, service providers, professional advisers, and other third parties where required or authorised by law, where necessary to provide our services, to meet funding and reporting obligations, or where you have consented.
We do not sell personal information.
We will generally store personal information in Australia and will not disclose personal information overseas unless required or authorised by law or with appropriate consent.
Security of personal information
Your personal information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure.
When your personal information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your personal information. However, most personal information is or will be stored in client files, which we will retain for a minimum of 7 years or for such other period as specified by applicable legislation.
Access to your personal information
You may access the personal information we hold about you and to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your personal information, please contact us in writing.
Gowrie SA will not charge a fee for your access request but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your personal information.
To protect your personal information, we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.
Maintaining the quality of your personal information
It is important to us that your personal information is up-to-date. We will take reasonable steps to make sure that your personal information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. If you find that the information we have is not up-to-date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and ensure we can continue to provide quality services to you.
Policy update
This policy may change from time to time and is available on our website.
Privacy complaints and enquiries
If you have a concern about how we have collected, used, disclosed, stored or handled your personal information, you can contact us using the details provided below. We will consider your concern and respond within a reasonable timeframe.
You can contact us here:
Gowrie SA
39a-43 Dew Street, Thebarton
Email: info@gowriesa.org.au
Phone: (08) 8234 5219
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may make a complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
The OAIC can be contacted at:
Website: www.oaic.gov.au
Telephone: 1300 363 992
Post: GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001
Further information about making a privacy complaint is available on the OAIC website.
