Privacy Statement

Effective Date: 13/03/2025

1. Introduction:

Southern Stay Disability Services Inc. (“Southern Stay,” “we,” “our,” “us”) is committed to protecting the privacy of our participants, families, and carers. This Privacy Statement outlines our obligations and practices regarding the collection, use, disclosure, and security of personal information.

We adhere to the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), as well as the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic), the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic), and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Code of Conduct) Rules 2018.

2. Information We Collect:

We collect personal information for the primary purpose of providing our services. This may include:

• Personal Information: Name, address, phone number, email, and other contact details.
• Sensitive Information: Health records, racial or ethnic origin, religious beliefs, or other protected data as defined under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

We collect this information via:

• Interviews
• Correspondence (email, telephone, website interactions)
• Third parties (where necessary and with consent)

3. How We Use Your Information

We use personal information to:

• Deliver services to participants
• Communicate with families and carers
• Comply with legal obligations
• Improve our services

Sensitive information is only used for the purpose for which it was obtained, or as required by law.

4. Disclosure of Information:

Personal information may be disclosed:

• To third parties where consent has been given
• Where required or authorised by law

We take reasonable steps to ensure individuals are informed when their information is collected from third parties.

5. Security of Personal Information:

We implement strict security measures to protect personal data from loss, misuse, and unauthorised access. If personal information is no longer needed, we take steps to destroy or de-identify it, in compliance with legal retention requirements.

6. Access and Correction of Information:

Participants may request access to their personal information and request corrections if inaccurate. Identification may be required to process these requests. Southern Stay does not charge a fee for access requests but may apply an administrative fee for copies.

7. Privacy Breach Response:

In the event of a data breach, Southern Stay follows its Admin 15 – Data Breaches policy, which includes:

• Reviewing the incident
• Managing risks
• Notifying affected individuals and relevant authorities as required

8. Updates to This Privacy Statement:

This Privacy Statement may be updated periodically. The latest version is available on our website.

9. Contact Us:

For privacy-related inquiries, please contact us at:

Southern Stay Disability Services Inc.
Warrnambool Office: 181 Fairy Street, Warrnambool | PH: (03) 5564 3444
Hamilton Office: 46 Brown Street, Hamilton | PH: (03) 5572 1028
Email: admin@southernstay.org.au

For further information, visit:

• Health Complaints Commissioner: https://hcc.vic.gov.au/health-records | Phone: 1300 582 113
• Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner: https://ovic.vic.gov.au | Phone: 1300 006 842 (1300 00 OVIC)

Southern Stay remains committed to ensuring the privacy and security of all personal information in our care.