Privacy Policy for Management of Personal Information
This document describes the privacy policy of Dr Angelo Contarino & Associates 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
Dr Contarino and other sole practitioners using these private practice premises on a sessional basis maintain client files that are held in a secure electronic document management system (Zanda), which is accessible only to authorised sole practitioners and employees. Other sole practitioners at this practice maintain paper files that are stored in a secure filing cabinet. 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.
How clients’ personal information is collected
A client’s personal information is collected in a number of ways during psychological consultation at Dr Angelo Contarino & Associates, including when the client provides information directly to Dr Angelo Contarino & Associates using hardcopy forms/electronic media, correspondence via email, when the client interacts directly with Dr Angelo Contarino & Associate employees such as the receptionist, and when other sole health practitioners provide personal information to Dr Angelo Contarino & Associates, 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, Dr Angelo Contarino & Associates may not be in a position 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 Dr Angelo Contarino & Associates to deal with the client or if Dr Angelo Contarino & Associates are 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 in order to document what happens during sessions and enables the psychologist to provide a relevant and informed psychological service. It is also a legal requirement that all adult client files be retained for 7 years following the completion of therapy. For children under 18 years of age, this documentation must be retained for 7 years after their 18th birthday.
Disclosure of personal information
Clients’ personal information will remain confidential except when:
- it is subpoenaed by a court, or disclosure would in the reasonable belief of the Dr Angelo Contarino & Associates (practice) place a client or another person at serious risk to life, health, or safety; or
- failure to disclose the information would in the reasonable belief of Dr Angelo Contarino & Associates place a client or another person in serious risk to life, health, or safety; or
- the client’s prior approval has been obtained to:
- provide a written report to another agency or professional, e.g., a GP or a lawyer; or
- discuss the material with another person, e.g., a parent, employer, health provider, or third-party funder; or
- disclosed the information in another way; or
- disclosed 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 related to the primary purpose for which your personal information was collected.
- To ensure quality patient care, it is a legal requirement for all psychologists to receive regular supervision from other psychologists. Your psychologist may, in a de-identified way, discuss your treatment during this supervision to ensure you are receiving ethical treatment that meets Australian standards. In the case of provisionally registered psychologists on placement from universities, it is a requirement that they obtain supervision regarding all of their clients. If consent is not gained for this purpose, the provisional psychologist can no longer provide services for that particular client.
A client’s personal information is not disclosed to overseas recipients unless the client consent or such disclosure is otherwise required by law. Client’s personal information will not be used, sold, rented, or disclosed for any other purpose.
If, in the event of unauthorised access, disclosure, or loss of a client’s personal information occurs Dr Angelo Contarino & Associates will activate its data breach plan and use all reasonable endeavours to minimise any risk of consequential serious harm (in accordance with legal requirements and Office of the Australian Information Commissioner – OAIC Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme).
Informed consent and children under 18 years of age
Unless specified in a court order, children receiving services at Dr Angelo Contarino & Associates will require parents to provide evidence that all parents/caregivers responsible for the care of their children, consent for them to participate in assessment and/or therapy.
If a child is at risk of harm, then the appropriate service in the community needs to be contacted, and referral to community supports enacted. In Queensland, contact Child Safety Services Enquiries unit on 1800 811 810.
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. The psychologist or other Allied Health Professionals 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 the 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 receptionist or relevant health provider at Dr Angelo Contarino & Associates. These requests will be responded to in writing within fourteen business days and an appointment will be made if necessary for clarification purposes.
Note: It is a legal requirement that consent forms be resigned on a yearly basis. If, after reading this document you are at all unclear about any of the information provided, please discuss with your psychologist/sole practitioner.
Concerns
If clients have a concern about the management of their personal information, they may inform the receptionist. Upon request they can obtain a copy of the Australian Privacy Principles, which describe their rights and how their personal information should be managed. 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 https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-complaints/ or by post to : OAIC, GPO Box 5218, Sydney, NSW 2001.
Updated 16th of September 2026