This document sets out the policy of Ozcare in relation to the handling of personal and sensitive information.

Statement of Commitment

Ozcare respects the privacy rights of all individuals in the workplace. Furthermore, the Board and Management are committed to ensuring that Ozcare complies at all times with its obligation under the Privacy Act 1998 (Cwth).

National Privacy Principles

As Ozcare does not, as yet, have an approved Privacy Code, Ozcare is bound by the National Privacy Principles (the "Principles"). The Principles will be binding on most private sector employers from 21st December 2001.
Ozcare will keep all its employees and clients (and anyone else who may be effected) appraised of the status of its Privacy Code. The Privacy Code will override the status of the Principles when it has received approval from the Privacy Commissioner.

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Information Held

Ozcare currently holds some information in relation to its clients, employees, contractors and other workplace participants. This information includes, but is not limited to:

• Tax file numbers
• Information relating to the personal background of staff (such as their home address, sex, date of birth, nationality, languages spoken, their employment history, their educational qualifications, any illnesses and details of contact people in the event of any emergency)
• Information documenting the work history of these staff (such as their letter of appointment and bank account details as well as records of any salary adjustments, written warnings, salary sacrifice documents and sick leave taken)
• Information relating to the personal background of clients (such as sex, date of birth, nationality, and details of family members and significant others)
• Information relating to the care that Ozcare provides to these clients including previous medical history and (in some cases) medical records, as well as a record of the care provided

These are a variety of reasons why Ozcare is required to hold this information. Some of these reasons include:

• Ensuring that both Ozcare and any workplace participants are meeting their obligations under relevant legislation as well as their contract of employment
• Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of all workplace participants at times when they are performing work for Ozcare
• Allowing appropriate insurance coverage for these workplace participants
• Ensuring the provision of the highest quality care to clients

While Ozcare does contract out some of its services, any of the above information will not be disclosed to any contractors without the prior consent being obtained from any affected individual.

There may be certain circumstances where Ozcare is contacted in relation to some or all of the above personal information. This may include instances when an Ozcare employee has applied for a loan with a financial institution and that financial institution contacts Ozcare to verify details of income being received. Ozcare's policy in relation to providing this information is to contact the staff member and seek their approval to pass on the information requested.

Ozcare will not pass on any personal information without the approval of the relevant client or staff member.

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Complaints and Contact Details

Anyone who feels that there has been an unwarranted invasion of their privacy should contact Robert McNamara, Manager - Human Resources, the Privacy Contact Officer, who can be contacted on
(07) 3246 2734.

While most employees and clients will be aware of Ozcare's contact details, they are set out below for convenience:

PO Box 912 FORTITUDE VALLEY QLD 4006
Ph: 07 3246 2777
Fax: 07 3246 2700
Email: Contact Us
Website: www.ozcare.org.au

If you require further information about the Principles or Ozcare policies relating to privacy, these can be obtained from the Privacy Contact Officer - Robert McNamara, on 3246 2734.

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