You can browse this website anonymously and safely without disclosing your personal information. Where we collect personal information from you via our website, we have implemented technology and security policies, rules and measures to protect the personal information that we have under our control. However, you should be aware that there are risks in transmitting information across the Internet. So while we strive to protect such information, we cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information transmitted to us online and individuals do so at their own risk. Once any personal information comes into our possession, we will take reasonable steps to protect that information from misuse and loss and from unauthorised access, modification and disclosure.

If you are concerned about conveying sensitive material to us over the Internet, you might prefer to contact us by telephone or mail. We will remove personal information from our system where it is no longer required. We will preserve the content of any feedback form, information request form, email or other electronic message that we receive. Any personal information contained in that message will only be used or disclosed in ways set out in this Website Privacy Statement. We will not use that information to add you to a mailing list or advertising push.

What is personal information?

The Privacy Act applies to the collection, use and disclosure of an individual’s personal information by private sector organisations. Under the Privacy Act, personal information is broadly defined. In simple terms it means any information related to an individual which is held in a record by an organisation such as All Families.

What is sensitive information?

Sensitive information is a particular type of personal information and includes health information and information about personal attributes such as ethnic or racial origin, membership of organisations such as trade unions, religious or political affiliations.

How to access your personal information

It is policy at All Families that, where appropriate, you should be able to request access to your personal information directly, without the need to make a formal application under the Freedom of Information Act 1982. Requests for access to your personal information may only be made by you.
We may seek reimbursement for providing access to this information to recover any expenses incurred in retrieving and collating the requested information. We may request that you specify the information you wish to access, to help us quickly identify and retrieve that information for you.
We may exercise our right to deny access to particular information in certain situations, for example where access may involve sensitive processes or where legal proceedings have commenced. If we deny you access to your personal information, we will explain the reason it has been denied.

Keeping your information secure

We use security procedures and the latest technology to protect the information we hold. Access to and use of your personal information within All Families is appropriately limited to prevent misuse or unlawful disclosure of the information. All Families maintains the confidentiality and security of your personal information by restricting access to those staff and service providers required to provide management and administration services.

A range of security measures, including an internal Information Security Policy, are in place and are designed to prevent the misuse, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure of your personal information. All Families office site is secured by a state of the art electronic security system with an added 24 hour surveillance agency in place.

Disclosure of your personal information to third parties

It may be necessary for us to disclose your personal information in some exceptional circumstances. We will disclose your personal information in circumstances where we are required by law to do so. Also recent amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 have enabled certain persons to request information about your interest in a superannuation fund. We may, if requested, be required to provide information about your interest in a superannuation fund to your spouse or to a person who intends to enter into an agreement with you about splitting your superannuation interests in the event of separation of marriage. The request must be in a form prescribed by law. The law prevents us from telling you about any such a request for information.

How long is your personal information kept?

Your personal information is kept as long as the information is required to manage your case, or to deal with your applications to our services. It is generally kept for a further period of at least seven years.

Financial information used by All Families

We may in the course of our service to you request information on your financial assets and interests. Your permission to obtain such credit information will always be consulted and respected. Since 1990, the handling of credit information has been regulated under Part IIIA of the Privacy Act.

What to do if you have a privacy complaint

All Families is committed to resolving your privacy complaint as quickly as possible and has procedures in place to help resolve any problems or complaints efficiently. Our aim is to assist you by reaching a satisfactory solution as soon as possible.