Wild Zebras Mental Health is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of personal and health information in accordance with applicable legislation, including the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), the Health Records Act 2001, and relevant professional obligations set by the Australian Association of Social Workers.
This policy outlines how personal and health information is collected, used, stored, and disclosed, and sets out the rights individuals have in relation to their information.
Wild Zebras Mental Health collects personal and sensitive information necessary to provide safe and effective services. This may include:
Information is collected directly from clients where possible, or from third parties (e.g., referrers, healthcare providers) with client consent or where otherwise permitted by law.
Where it is lawful and practicable to do so, individuals may interact with Wild Zebras Mental Health without identifying themselves, or by using a pseudonym, in accordance with APP 2. This option may not be available where full identification is necessary to provide safe clinical care, meet legal obligations, or process payment.
Information is collected and used for purposes including:
Personal information will not be used or disclosed for a secondary purpose unrelated to the above unless the client has consented, or an exception under the APPs applies.
Wild Zebras Mental Health may provide services via telehealth or use digital platforms for communication, record-keeping, and service delivery (e.g., video conferencing, practice management software, email, and messaging systems).
Reasonable steps are taken to use secure and reputable platforms that incorporate privacy and data protection safeguards.
Clients acknowledge that while all reasonable precautions are taken, the use of online technologies carries inherent risks, including potential unauthorised access or data breaches.
By engaging in telehealth services, clients consent to the use of these platforms for the provision of care.
Where platforms store or transmit data outside of Australia, Wild Zebras Mental Health will take reasonable steps, in accordance with APP 8, to ensure that overseas recipients do not breach the APPs in relation to that information, except where an exception under the Privacy Act applies.
Wild Zebras Mental Health takes reasonable steps to protect personal and health information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure.
Information is stored securely in electronic and/or paper-based systems with appropriate safeguards, including password protection, encryption where applicable, and restricted access.
Records are retained and disposed of in accordance with applicable legal and professional requirements.
In the event of a data breach that is likely to result in serious harm to an individual whose personal information is involved, Wild Zebras Mental Health will comply with the Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) scheme under the Privacy Act 1988. This includes notifying the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) and affected individuals as soon as practicable, and outlining recommended steps individuals can take in response.
Personal and health information will not be disclosed without client consent, except where required or authorised by law. This may include:
Where appropriate, information may be shared with other healthcare providers to support continuity of care, with client consent.
Wild Zebras Mental Health does not currently use automated decision-making technology (including AI-enabled tools) to make decisions that could significantly affect a client's rights or interests. Should this change, this policy will be updated to include the kinds of personal information used, and the kinds of decisions made or materially assisted by such technology, in accordance with APP 1.7–1.9, which commence on 10 December 2026.
Clients have the right to request access to their personal and health information and to request corrections where necessary, subject to legal limitations.
Requests should be made in writing to admin@wildzebrasmh.com.au and can take up to 30 business days to complete. Reasonable fees may apply for access to or copies of records.
Wild Zebras Mental Health takes reasonable steps to ensure that personal information is accurate, complete, and up to date. Clients are encouraged to inform us of any changes to their details.
If you have concerns about how your information has been handled, you are encouraged to raise this directly with the Wild Zebras Mental Health Clinical Director.
If the matter is not resolved, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) or the Health Complaints Commissioner.
This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in legal or professional requirements. The most current version will be made available upon request and published on our website.
You do not need to know exactly where therapy will lead before you begin.
Book an appointment online or contact Wild Zebras with any questions about services, accessibility or suitability.
