The Plan Experts (TPE) is committed to protecting the privacy and the rights of individuals. In line with our values, TPE respects and upholds an individual’s rights of personal and sensitive information it collects, holds and administers in the process of providing its services. This policy sets out how we collect, use, disclose and manage your personal and sensitive information. These commitments are undertaken to comply with Australia Privacy Principles (APPS) prescribed in the Privacy Act 1998 (Cth).
INTRODUCTION
This policy ensures we protect and handle personal information in accordance with the NDIS and relevant privacy legislation.
We acknowledge an individual’s right to privacy while recognising that personal information is required to be collected, maintained and administered in order to provide a safe working environment and a high standard of quality.
The information we collect is used to provide services to participants in a safe and healthy environment with individual requirements, to meet duty of care obligations, to initiate appropriate referrals, and to conduct business activities to support those services.
APPLICABILITY
When
Applies to all personal information and sensitive personal information including the personal information of employees and participants
Applies to all company confidential information - that is, any information not publicly available.
Who
Applies to all representatives including key management personnel, directors, full-time workers, part-time workers, casual workers, contractors and volunteers.
PRIVACY & CONFIDENTIALITY GUIDELINES
To support the privacy and confidentiality of individuals:
- We are committed to complying with the privacy requirements of the Privacy Act, the Australian Privacy Principles and for Privacy Amendment (Notifiable Data Breaches) as required by organisations providing disability services
- We are fully committed to complying with the consent requirements of the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework and relevant state or territory requirements
- We provide all individuals with access to information about the privacy of their personal information
- Every individual has the right to opt out of consenting to and providing their personal details if they wish
- Individuals have the right to request access to their personal records by requesting this with their contact person
- Where we are required to report to government funding bodies, information provided is non-identifiable and related to services and support hours provided, age, disability, language, and nationality
- Personal information will only be used by us and will not be shared outside the organisation without your permission unless required by law (e.g. reporting assault, abuse, neglect, or where a court order is issued)
- Images or video footage of participants will not be used without their consent
- Participants have the option of being involved in external NDIS audits if they wish
SECURITY OF INFORMATION
To keep information secure:
- We take reasonable steps to protect the personal information we hold against misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification and disclosure
- Personal information is accessible to the participant and is accessible only by relevant workers
- Security for personal information includes password protection for IT systems, locked filing cabinets and physical access restrictions with only authorised personnel permitted access
