Our Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 2026

At Calamvale Family Practice, we are committed to protecting the privacy of your personal and health information. This policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and disclose your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

1. Why and When Your Consent is Necessary

When you register as a patient at our clinic, you provide consent for our GPs, nurses, and practice staff to access and use your personal information for the purpose of providing you with safe and effective medical care.

Only staff who need access to your information for the purpose of providing clinical care or related business activities will be able to view it.

If we need to use your information for any other purpose, we will seek additional consent from you.

2. Why We Collect, Use, Hold and Share Your Personal Information

We collect and manage your personal information for the primary purpose of providing healthcare services. We may also use or disclose your information for purposes directly related to your care, including:

• Medicare and health insurance claims
• Practice management and operational functions (e.g. accreditation, training, audits)
• Reminders for ongoing health checks or immunisations
• Managing referrals and allied health coordination

3. What Personal Information We Collect

We collect the following types of personal and health information:

• Full name, date of birth, address, contact details
• Medicare number, healthcare identifiers, health fund details
• Medical history, current conditions, medications, allergies, adverse events
• Immunisations, family/social history, lifestyle risk factors

4. Dealing With Us Anonymously

You have the right to deal with us anonymously or under a pseudonym when it is lawful and practical to do so. However, in most cases, accurate identification is required for safe, quality healthcare delivery.

5. How We Collect Your Personal Information

Your personal information may be collected in several ways:

• When you fill out the New Patient Form
• During consultations and treatment
• Through My Health Record, Shared Health Summary, or eScripts
• When you contact us via phone, email or SMS.
• From third parties such as:
  • Other healthcare providers (specialists, hospitals, allied health)
  • Pathology or imaging services
  • Your guardian, carer, or authorised representative
  • Government agencies (e.g. Medicare, DVA)

6. When and With Whom We Share Your Personal Information

We may share your information with:

• Other treating healthcare professionals
• Medicare, private health insurers, and relevant government agencies
• Third parties who support our business operations (e.g. IT providers, accreditation bodies) – all of whom are required to comply with privacy laws
• When legally required (e.g. court orders, mandatory disease notifications)
• When there is a serious risk to your life, health, or public safety
• As part of de-identified data collection for health service improvement (with your consent or the option to opt out)

We will not share your personal information outside Australia without your express consent, unless permitted by law.

We will not use your personal information for marketing without your express permission.

7. My Health Record & MyMedicare

We support the use of My Health Record and MyMedicare for improved patient care. These platforms allow for safer sharing of your health data between care providers.

If you need assistance setting up or managing your My Health Record or MyMedicare, our reception team is happy to help.

8. Data Security – How We Store and Protect Your Information

We are committed to the secure storage of your personal health information. We use electronic medical record systems that are:

• Password protected
• Accessible only to authorised personnel
• Regularly backed up and securely maintained

Paper-based records, if collected, are digitised and securely destroyed in accordance with legal standards.

9. Accessing and Correcting Your Personal Information

You may request access to your medical records at any time. Requests must be made  in writing. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe (typically within 30 days).

A small administration fee may apply.
You may also request corrections to any inaccurate or outdated information. We regularly verify patient details to ensure your records remain current.

10. Complaints and Feedback

If you have a concern about how your personal information has been handled, please contact our Practice Manager.

We take all complaints seriously and will respond promptly.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may escalate your complaint to:
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
P: 1300 363 992
W: www.oaic.gov.au

Contact Us

For more information or to request access to your health records, contact:

Calamvale Family Practice
A: Shop 18, 2605 Beaudesert Road, Calamvale QLD 4116
P: (07) 3272 4533
E: reception@calamvalefp.com.au