Privacy Policy

The Strengths Centre

(operated by Chercheuse Pty Ltd)

Effective date: 12th January 2026

This is a summary of our privacy practices. Our full Privacy Policy is available on request.

1. Who we are

The Strengths Centre (“we”, “our”, “us”) is an Australian allied health practice operated by Chercheuse Pty Ltd. We provide psychological and other allied health services across the lifespan and are an NDIS registered provider, delivering services to both NDIS and non‑NDIS clients.

We are committed to protecting your privacy and handle personal information in accordance with:

  • The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs)
  • The Psychology Board of Australia Code of Conduct (effective 1 December 2025)
  • The NDIS Act 2013 (Cth) and NDIS Practice Standards
  • Other applicable Commonwealth and state health‑records legislation

This Privacy Statement explains how we collect, use, store, and disclose personal and health information.

2. What personal information we collect

We collect personal information that is reasonably necessary to provide allied health services, including:

  • Identifying information (name, date of birth, address, contact details)
  • NDIS‑related information (participant number, plan details, funding arrangements, support categories)
  • Medicare, private health insurance, or other funding details (where applicable)
  • Health and allied health information, including assessments, therapy notes, reports, and clinical correspondence
  • Information about parents, guardians, nominees, carers, or support coordinators (where relevant)
  • Educational, behavioural, functional, and psychosocial information required for service delivery
  • Limited website and technical information (such as IP address, browser type, cookies, and analytics data)

Health information is considered sensitive information and is handled with a higher level of confidentiality and security.

3. How we collect personal information

We may collect personal information directly from:

  • You
  • A parent, guardian, nominee, or authorised representative
  • Online forms, intake documents, consent forms, and communications
  • Referring professionals such as GPs, paediatricians, schools, or allied health providers
  • The NDIS, NDIA, plan managers, support coordinators, or other funding bodies (where lawful and authorised)

We only collect information from third parties where it is lawful, reasonable, and necessary to support service delivery or funding requirements.

4. Why we collect and use personal information

The Strengths Centre collects and uses personal information to:

  • Deliver allied health assessment, therapy, behaviour support, and intervention services
  • Meet contractual, reporting, and safeguarding obligations as an NDIS registered provider
  • Prepare reports, plans, outcome measures, and progress summaries
  • Coordinate care with other professionals involved in your supports
  • Manage appointments, billing, funding claims, and administrative functions
  • Ensure services are ethical, safe, culturally responsive, and appropriate
  • Comply with legal, ethical, and regulatory requirements

Personal information is not used for unrelated purposes unless permitted or required by law.

5. Consent, confidentiality, and limits to privacy

We seek informed consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal or health information and provide explanations in clear, accessible language.

As an allied health and psychology practice, we uphold strict confidentiality obligations. However, confidentiality is not absolute, and information may be disclosed where:

  • There is a serious risk to your safety or the safety of others
  • Disclosure is required under child protection, disability safeguarding, or mandatory reporting laws
  • A court order, subpoena, or lawful request applies
  • Disclosure is required under NDIS legislation, including for audits, incident reporting, or quality assurance
  • Information must be shared with funding bodies in accordance with service agreements

Where practicable, we will inform you about relevant disclosures.

6. Children, young people, and supported decision‑making

When providing services to children, young people, or individuals with disability, we:

  • Obtain consent from the individual and/or their legally authorised decision‑maker
  • Involve the person receiving services in decisions to the greatest extent possible
  • Recognise and respect supported decision‑making arrangements

We apply additional care to the handling of information relating to children and vulnerable people, consistent with legislative and regulatory expectations.

7. Cultural safety and inclusive practice

The Strengths Centre is committed to culturally safe, respectful, and inclusive practice, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, and people from diverse backgrounds.

With consent, this may include involving family members, cultural advisors, or support persons in care planning and communication.

8. Use of AI‑enabled and digital health tools

The Strengths Centre uses secure digital systems to support clinical documentation, service delivery, and administrative processes. Some of these systems include AI‑enabled tools designed to assist clinicians with tasks such as note‑taking, record organisation, and documentation efficiency.

We only use AI‑enabled products approved for use in Australian health services and that comply with applicable privacy, health, and disability legislation, as well as the expectations of funding bodies such as the NDIS.

Importantly:

  • AI‑enabled tools are used under the direct oversight and professional responsibility of clinicians
  • These tools do not replace clinical judgement or decision‑making
  • AI systems do not make decisions about eligibility, diagnosis, care, or supports

All clinical decisions remain the responsibility of a qualified practitioner.

9. Storage and security of personal information

Chercheuse Pty Ltd takes reasonable steps to protect personal and health information held by The Strengths Centre, including:

  • Secure electronic practice management systems
  • Role‑based access controls
  • Password protection and encryption where available
  • Staff training in privacy, confidentiality, and NDIS obligations
  • Secure storage and confidential destruction of records when no longer required

Records are retained in accordance with legislative, professional, and NDIS requirements.

10. Disclosure of information (including NDIS‑related disclosures)

The Strengths Centre is committed to protecting client privacy and confidentiality and to upholding the dignity, autonomy, and rights of people of all ages, including people with disability.

We will seek written informed consent before disclosing or discussing personal or health information with any third party, unless disclosure is:

  • required or authorised by law; or
  • required by funding bodies such as Medicare or the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Subject to the above, we may disclose personal information to:

  • Health and allied health professionals involved in your care, where disclosure is necessary for service delivery and written consent has been provided
  • Referrers, including general practitioners, where written consent has been provided or where disclosure is required under funding or legal arrangements
  • The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), plan managers, support coordinators, or the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, where required to meet NDIS funding, reporting, safeguarding, audit, or quality obligations
  • Auditors or regulatory bodies, where required for NDIS compliance or other lawful regulatory purposes
  • Technology and service providers that support our clinical or administrative systems, where these providers are subject to confidentiality and privacy obligations
  • Courts or tribunals, where disclosure is required by law, subpoena, or court order

Disclosures are limited to the minimum information necessary, are made using secure processes, and are recorded in accordance with professional, legal, and NDIS requirements.

Where practicable, clients will be informed of any disclosure made without prior consent.

11. Website, cookies, and digital services

Our website may use cookies and analytics tools to improve functionality and understand how the site is used. These tools collect limited technical information and do not provide access to clinical records.

12. Access, correction, and complaints

You have the right to:

  • Access your personal information
  • Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
  • Make a complaint about how your information has been handled

Requests or concerns can be directed to the Director at The Strengths Centre.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, or AHPRA, as relevant.

13. Changes to this policy

This Privacy Statement may be updated from time to time to reflect changes to legislation, professional standards, or service delivery. The most current version will always be available on our website.

Policy title: Privacy Statement
Practice name: The Strengths Centre
Legal entity: Chercheuse Pty Ltd

Version: 3.0
Approved by: Practice governance leadership
Date approved: 8 January 2026
Date last reviewed: 8 January 2026
Next scheduled review: January 2028

Applies to: All clients, NDIS participants, families, carers, practitioners, staff, contractors, students, and volunteers engaged with The Strengths Centre.

Related legislation and standards: Privacy Act 1988 (Cth); Australian Privacy Principles; NDIS Act 2013 (Cth); NDIS Practice Standards; Psychology Board of Australia Code of Conduct.

Document control: This document is a controlled policy of Chercheuse Pty Ltd. Uncontrolled or printed copies may not reflect the current version. The current version is maintained by The Strengths Centre and is available on request or via the practice website.