Privacy Policy
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Lara Freeman Speech Pathology
ABN: 83864648673
Effective Date: 01/01/26
Our Commitment to Privacy
Lara Freeman Speech Pathology is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your
personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy
Principles (APPs).
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose, and protect your personal
information when providing speech pathology services.
What Information We Collect
We may collect personal information that is necessary to provide speech pathology services,
including:
Client Information
● Name, date of birth, address, telephone number, and email address
● Parent, guardian, or caregiver contact details
● Medicare number
● NDIS participant number (if applicable)
● School and teacher information
● Emergency contact details
Health Information
● Medical and developmental history
● Assessment results
● Therapy notes and reports
● Information provided by parents, caregivers, schools, doctors, allied health
professionals, and other service providers involved in the client’s care
Financial Information
● Billing and payment records
● Medicare claiming information
● NDIS claiming information
● Private health fund information (if applicable)
How We Collect Information
We may collect information directly from:
● Parents, guardians, and clients
● Referral forms
● Intake forms
● Therapy sessions
● Telephone calls, emails, and written correspondence
With your consent, we may also collect information from:
● Schools and educational staff
● General Practitioners
● Paediatricians
● Psychologists
● Occupational Therapists
● Physiotherapists
● Support coordinators
● NDIS providers
● Other professionals involved in the client’s care
Why We Collect Information
We collect personal information to:
● Assess communication needs
● Provide speech pathology services
● Develop therapy goals and intervention plans
● Communicate with parents, schools, and other professionals
● Prepare reports and recommendations
● Process Medicare and NDIS claims
● Manage appointments and billing
● Meet legal, professional, and regulatory obligations
Disclosure of Information
We will only disclose personal information where:
● You have provided consent
● It is necessary for the provision of services
● It is required or authorised by law
Information may be shared with:
● Parents and legal guardians
● Schools and educational staff
● Medical and allied health professionals
● Medicare
● The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)
● NDIS plan managers
● Government agencies where legally required
We do not sell or rent personal information to third parties.
School-Based Services
When services are provided within a school setting, information may be shared with relevant
school personnel to support therapy goals and educational participation. Information shared will
be limited to what is reasonably necessary and, wherever possible, will occur with parent or
guardian consent.
Home-Based Clinic Services
For clients attending the home-based clinic, records are maintained securely and confidentially.
Reasonable steps are taken to ensure that client information is protected from unauthorised
access, loss, misuse, or disclosure.
Storage and Security of Information
Client records may be stored:
● Electronically using secure practice management and document storage systems
● In paper format where required
We take reasonable steps to protect information through:
● Password-protected devices and software
● Secure cloud storage systems
● Restricted access to records
● Secure disposal of records when no longer required
Retention of Records
Speech pathology records are retained in accordance with legal and professional requirements.
Generally:
● Adult client records are retained for a minimum of seven years after the last
contact.
● Children’s records are retained until the client reaches 25 years of age, or as
otherwise required by law.
Access to Your Information
You may request access to your personal information at any time.
Requests should be made in writing to Lara Freeman Speech Pathology.
Access may be refused in limited circumstances permitted under Australian privacy law. If access
is refused, reasons will be provided where required.
Correction of Information
If you believe information held about you or your child is inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date,
please contact us and we will take reasonable steps to correct it.
Website and Electronic CommunicationInformation may be collected through website enquiries, online forms, or email communications.
While reasonable precautions are taken, no method of electronic transmission is completely
secure.
Complaints
If you have concerns about how your personal information has been handled, please contact:
Privacy Officer
Lara Freeman
(See link to contact above)
We will investigate complaints and aim to respond within a reasonable timeframe.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the:
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
Phone: 1300 363 992
Website: https://www.oaic.gov.au
Changes to This Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time. The most current version will be available
upon request and on the website.
Consent
By engaging with Lara Freeman Speech Pathology for speech pathology services, you
acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and consent to the
collection, use, and disclosure of information as described above.