PRIVACY POLICY | Premier Audiology

Privacy Notice

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

At Premier Audiology, protecting the confidentiality of your personal and health information is an important part of the care we provide. This Privacy Notice explains how we manage information about patients, website visitors, and other individuals who interact with our practice.

We handle personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988, the Australian Privacy Principles, and any applicable health records legislation.

By engaging our services or using our website, you acknowledge that your information may be collected, used, and disclosed as described in this notice.

Information We May Hold

To provide hearing healthcare services and operate our practice effectively, we may maintain records containing:

Personal Details

Full name
Date of birth
Contact information, including address, telephone number, and email address
Medicare details and private health insurance information
Emergency contact details where relevant

Clinical and Health Records

Hearing assessments and audiological test results
Relevant medical history
Referral letters and reports
Information relating to hearing aids, assistive listening devices, fittings, repairs, and warranties
Clinical notes associated with your care

Website and Technical Information

When you visit our website, certain information may be collected automatically, including:

Device and browser information
IP address
Website usage patterns
Referring websites
Cookie and analytics data

For patients under 18 years of age or individuals who require assistance in managing their affairs, information may also be provided by a parent, guardian, carer, or authorised representative.

How Information Is Obtained

Information may be collected directly from you when you:

Make an appointment
Complete forms
Contact our practice
Attend consultations
Correspond with us by telephone, email, or online

We may also receive information from healthcare professionals, government agencies, insurers, family members, carers, or other authorised persons where this is necessary for your treatment, administration, or otherwise permitted by law.

Certain information is collected automatically when you access our website through cookies and analytics technologies.

Why We Need Your Information

The information we collect helps us:

Deliver hearing assessments, treatment, and ongoing care
Maintain accurate clinical records
Arrange appointments and follow-up services
Communicate with patients and authorised representatives
Process payments and health fund or Medicare claims
Coordinate care with other healthcare providers
Meet professional, legal, and regulatory obligations
Improve the quality and efficiency of our services
Manage enquiries, feedback, and complaints

Where practical, we may use de-identified data for internal reporting, quality improvement activities, and service planning.

If requested information is not provided, we may be unable to offer certain services or administer your care effectively.

Sharing Information With Others

We only disclose personal information where reasonably necessary, authorised by you, or required by law.

Depending on the circumstances, information may be shared with:

Medical practitioners and other healthcare providers involved in your treatment
Medicare, private health insurers, and government funding programs
Hearing aid manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers
External contractors who assist us with technology, software, data hosting, administration, or business operations
Professional advisers, auditors, and insurers
Courts, regulators, law enforcement agencies, or government authorities where disclosure is legally required

Premier Audiology does not sell personal information to third parties.

Handling of Sensitive Health Information

Health information is recognised under Australian law as sensitive information and is subject to additional protections.

Where required, we rely on your consent to collect and use health information. Consent may be written, verbal, electronic, or implied through your interactions with our practice and the healthcare services you request.

There may be circumstances where legislation permits or requires us to use or disclose health information without consent.

Website Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance functionality and understand visitor behaviour.

These technologies help us:

Monitor website performance
Improve user experience
Analyse visitor activity
Maintain website security

You may choose to disable cookies through your browser settings, although some website features may not function correctly as a result.

Analytics providers engaged by us may process information outside Australia.

Protecting Your Information

We maintain administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information from unauthorised access, misuse, loss, alteration, or disclosure.

Examples of these measures include:

Secure clinical record systems
Password-protected access controls
Encryption technologies where appropriate
Confidentiality obligations for staff
Ongoing security monitoring and training

While reasonable safeguards are in place, no electronic system can be guaranteed completely secure.

External Websites

Links to third-party websites may appear on our website for convenience and information purposes.

Because these websites operate independently, Premier Audiology is not responsible for their privacy practices or content. We encourage users to review the privacy policies of any external sites they visit.

Accessing or Correcting Information

You may request access to personal information we hold about you or ask that inaccurate information be corrected.

Requests should be directed to our Privacy Officer using the contact details below.

To protect confidentiality, we may require verification of identity before responding to a request.

In certain circumstances, legislation permits us to refuse access or decline a requested correction. If this occurs, we will explain the reasons and advise you of available review options.

Updates to This Notice

This Privacy Notice may be amended periodically to reflect changes in legal requirements, business practices, or technology. The most current version will always be available through our website.

Communications and Marketing

We may contact you regarding appointments, hearing healthcare services, product support, recalls, warranty matters, or other matters connected with your care.

From time to time, we may also provide information about services or products that may be relevant to you. Where required by law, you will be given the opportunity to opt out of receiving such communications