Privacy Policy

Part 1 — About This Policy

1.1 Purpose

Speaking Speech Pathology (ABN 43 312 090 480) is committed to protecting the privacy of personal information we collect and hold about individuals. We comply with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), other privacy laws that govern private sector health service providers, and Speech Pathology Australia's Code of Ethics (2010). This Privacy Policy explains how we manage the personal information we collect, use, and disclose.

Part 2 — How We Handle Your Personal Information

2.1 Legal Obligations

To provide you with the health care services you request, we need to collect and use your personal information. If you provide incomplete or inaccurate information, we may be unable to offer the services you seek.

2.2 Information We Collect

We collect only the information necessary for our functions and activities, including your name, date of birth, address, health fund details, and health history. This information assists our speech pathologists in diagnosing and treating you.

2.3 Collection Methods

We typically collect your health information directly from you. However, we may also collect information from third parties (e.g., relatives or other health service providers) when necessary.

2.4 Use of Information

We use your personal information to provide speech pathology services, manage our relationship with you, and contact you regarding your care. We may also use your information for other purposes permitted under the Privacy Act 1988.

2.5 Disclosure of Information

We may disclose your information to:

Other health professionals involved in your treatment (e.g., speech pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists).

Referrer: Typically, a discharge summary is sent to your referring medical practitioner.

Relatives and guardians: Information may be provided to your relatives, close friends, guardians, or legal representatives unless you object.

Quality assurance: Activities such as audits, accreditation, risk management, and staff training.

Billing: Liaising with your health fund or other funding bodies as applicable.

Reminders: Sending standard reminders for appointments and follow-up care.

With your consent, we may also use your information for purposes such as marketing or research. We will not disclose your personal information to any individual outside Australia without your consent, except as outlined in Part 3 of this policy regarding website infrastructure.

2.6 Access and Correction

You have the right to access and request amendments to your personal and health information. If we do not agree to amend your information, you may make a statement of the requested changes, which will be enclosed with your record. Reasonable costs may be recovered for supplying this information.

2.7 Data Quality and Security

We take reasonable steps to ensure your personal information is accurate, complete, and up-to-date. We protect your information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure using technologies and processes such as access control procedures, firewalls, encryption, and physical security.

Clinical records and reports are stored securely using Google Workspace Business Standard (Google Drive). Access to these records is restricted to authorised personnel only and protected by Google's enterprise-grade encryption, two-factor authentication, and access controls. Data may be stored on Google's secure global infrastructure.

We will destroy or permanently de-identify your information when it is no longer needed, unless required to retain it by law. In accordance with Speech Pathology Australia guidelines and Queensland Health record-keeping requirements, clinical records for children are retained until the child reaches 25 years of age, or for 7 years after the last date of service — whichever is later.

2.8 Complaints

If you have questions, comments, or complaints about this Privacy Policy or our information handling practices, contact our Privacy Officer:

By email: info@speaking.com.au

Part 3 — Handling Your Information on Our Website

3.1 Collection

We do not attempt to identify individual users unless you provide personal information via an online form or email. Our hosting provider may log statistical data about your visit, such as your computer address, top-level domain, date and time of visit, pages accessed, and browser used.

3.2 Website Contact Form

When you submit an enquiry through our website contact form, your data (name, email, phone number, and message) is processed by Web3Forms, a third-party form handling service. This data is transmitted through and may be temporarily stored on servers located outside of Australia, including in the United States. By submitting the contact form, you consent to this transfer.

Form submission data is used solely for the purpose of responding to your enquiry and is not used for marketing or shared with any other third parties.

3.3 Website Analytics

Our website uses Google Analytics (GA4) to collect anonymised usage data such as pages visited, time spent on pages, and general geographic location. This data does not personally identify you and is processed on Google's servers, which may be located outside Australia.

3.4 Cookies

Our website uses temporary cookies to identify and interact with your computer. Cookies do not identify individual users but do identify your ISP and browser type. Upon closing your browser, the temporary cookie is destroyed. You may configure your browser to accept or reject cookies, but some website functionality may be lost.

3.5 Website Hosting and Infrastructure

Our website is hosted on Vercel, a cloud hosting platform. Website files may be served from servers located outside Australia. No personal health information is stored on our website or web servers.

The third-party services used by our website include:

Web3Forms — processes contact form submissions (servers may be located outside Australia).

Google Analytics (GA4) — collects anonymised website usage data.

Google Workspace Business Standard — stores clinical records securely with enterprise-grade encryption and access controls.

Vercel — hosts the website (servers may be located outside Australia).

3.6 Links to Third Party Websites

We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of linked third-party websites.

3.7 Use and Disclosure

Any personal information collected via our website will be used in accordance with this privacy policy.

Last updated: March 2026