1. Our Commitment to Your Privacy
Social Bond Australia is committed to protecting the privacy, dignity, and confidentiality of every person who uses our services. All client information is managed in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (Privacy Act 1988) and the AASW Code of Ethics.
We provide general social work, counselling, and wellbeing support to DVA-funded veterans, and we maintain strict professional standards in handling personal information.
2. What Information We Collect
To provide safe and effective services, we may collect the following types of personal information:
- Contact details (name, phone, address, email)
- DVA details (Veteran file number, White Card status, referral information)
- Emergency contact information
- Background information related to wellbeing, functioning, relationships, and social circumstances
- Session notes, support plans, and assessments
- Website contact form submissions
- Basic analytics such as page visits (no personally identifying data)
We only collect information that is necessary for general social work practice and safe service delivery.
3. How Your Information Is Used
Your information is used to:
- Provide general social work and wellbeing-focused support
- Communicate with you about appointments and services
- Coordinate care with referring GPs, DVA, or other approved parties (with your consent)
- Maintain accurate and secure professional records
- Meet legal, ethical, and DVA provider requirements
- Improve our service quality
We do not use your information for marketing without your explicit permission.
4. Confidentiality
Everything discussed in your sessions is confidential, except in specific circumstances where disclosure is required by law or to protect safety.
Confidentiality may be broken if:
- You provide consent for information to be shared
- There is a risk of significant harm to yourself or others
- A child or young person is believed to be at risk of harm
- Records are subpoenaed by a court
- DVA or your referring GP requires updates within their normal reporting requirements
- Disclosure is necessary to comply with legislation or provider obligations
Where possible, you will be informed before any information is shared.
5. How Your Information is Stored
Your information is stored securely in digital form using password-protected systems with encryption, including practice management software and secure email systems.
We take all reasonable steps to ensure records are:
- protected from loss, misuse, unauthorised access, or disclosure
- maintained in accordance with professional and legal standards
- retained for the legally required period (usually seven years from the final service date)
Only the practitioner (Derek Fortune, Bachelor of Social Work, AASW Member, DVA Provider) has access to your records.
6. Accessing or Correcting Your Information
You have the right to:
- request a copy of your personal information
- request corrections to inaccurate information
- ask how your data is stored, used, or shared
Requests can be made via email: [email protected]
We aim to respond within 14 days.
7. Website & Online Privacy
Our website may use basic analytics (e.g., Google Analytics) to understand page visits and improve accessibility.
We do not store identifying information from website browsing.
If you contact us through the online form, your message is transmitted securely and used only to respond to your enquiry.
8. Social Media Privacy Statement
Social media messages (e.g., Facebook Messenger) are not fully confidential. For your privacy and safety:
- We do not discuss personal matters through social media messaging
- We may ask you to move the conversation to phone or email
- No personal or clinical information should be shared publicly in comments
By interacting with our pages, you agree not to share private details about yourself or others in public posts.
9. Third-Party Disclosure
We do not share, sell, or trade your personal information with external parties.
Information is only disclosed:
- With your written consent
- When legally required
- When sharing with your GP or DVA is part of the referral arrangement (e.g., progress updates)
- To protect the safety of clients or the community
10. Complaints About Privacy
If you have concerns about how your information has been handled, you can contact:
Derek Fortune
Social Worker – Social Bond Australia
Email: [email protected]
If you are not satisfied with the response, you may contact:
- Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
- AASW Ethics Complaints Management
11. Updates to This Policy
This policy may be updated occasionally to reflect legal or professional changes. The most current version will always be available on our website.