Purpose of this policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (Congress) manages personal information in line with our legal obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), especially APP 1 – Open and Transparent Management of Personal Information.

This policy describes:

• What information we collect
• How and why we collect it
• How we store and use it
• When and how we may share it
• Your rights in accessing or correcting it
• How you can raise a concern

This policy is also part of our commitment to safe, culturally respectful, and transparent care for Aboriginal people and communities in Central Australia.

Who This Policy Applies To

This policy applies to all personal information collected by Congress during our operations.

It applies across all Congress service delivery sites, including town-based and remote clinics, outreach activities and bush mobile services, programs delivered in homes, courts, schools, prisons, or sporting clubs, and online, paper-based and verbal interactions.

We are bound by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles, and the Information Act 2002 (NT), where applicable.

We collect different types of information depending on the service or program you use. We keep each category separate and apply appropriate protections, as required under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

The personal information we collect includes general information, sensitive information, and health information.

With your consent we collect non-medical information depending on the community-based programs you participate in and information related to your social and emotional well-being, to support community-based interventions and family programs.

De-identified Information

De-identified information is information that has been processed to remove or alter personal identifiers so that a person can no longer be reasonably identified.

Anonymity and Use of Pseudonyms

You may remain anonymous or use a different name when:

• Calling us to ask a general question
• Giving feedback
• Completing an anonymous survey

You usually cannot stay anonymous when:

• We provide medical treatment or health services
• We are required to confirm your identity for safety, legal, or funding reasons
• There is a risk to yourself or others

If you need to use a different name for safety reasons (e.g., domestic violence), please let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate this safely.

How We Handle Consent

We aim to collect personal and health information with your informed consent. This means we explain:

• What information we are collecting
• Why we need the information
• Who it might be shared with
• Your right to say yes or no

You can withdraw consent at any time, but this might affect how we can support you.

Congress collects personal information by lawful and fair means, and directly from you with your consent wherever it is reasonable and practical to do so. We collect information in various ways depending on how you interact with our services.

Congress use or share your personal information for the purpose it was collected, or for another permitted purpose. We use your information to provide care, for program delivery and for quality improvement and reporting.

We may use your personal information without your consent in emergencies, serious threats and when permitted by law (mandatory reporting, court order and to complying with criminal justice order.  

We may share your health information with:

• Health and Clinical Partners
• Government and funding bodies
• Schools, Courts or Community Agencies
• Research, Training and Evaluation Partners (de-identified information)

Identifiable data is only shared if you consent in writing or where permitted by law.

We take your privacy seriously. Keeping your information safe is part of respecting your dignity and trust. We use a mix of physical, digital, and staff-based safeguards to protect your records from loss, misuse, or unauthorised access.

We may contact you from time to time to support your care or invite you to take part in health-related activities.

We do not use your information for commercial marketing. If we wish to share your photo, story, or achievements for public awareness or program reporting, we will ask for

You have important rights when it comes to your personal information. We are committed to supporting you to understand and exercise these rights in culturally safe and accessible ways.

You have a right to access your personal information, correct your personal information, and withdraw consent or limit use of your personal information.  

Getting Help with These Rights

If you need help understanding your rights or want to use them:

• You can talk to our staff through the contacts shared at the end of this policy document.
• Ask for a support worker, interpreter, or Aboriginal Family Support Worker
• We will provide the support you need to make an informed decision

We want to hear from you if you are unhappy with how your personal information has been handled. Privacy is important, and your concerns matter to us.

Raising a Privacy Concern

You can raise a concern or make a complaint.

We will take your concern seriously and respond respectfully.

If You Are Not Satisfied

If you are not happy with how we respond, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):

• Website: oaic.gov.au
• Phone: 1300 363 992
• Email:
  

  enquiries@oaic.gov.au

We review this policy annually and update when there are changes to the law and when our information handling practices changes.

Congress privacy policy will always be:

• Available at our clinics
• On our website at caac.org.au
• Provided on request by our staff

For major changes, we will let clients and community members know through posters, SMS, or community notice boards.

You can contact us at any time, we offer support through Aboriginal and non-Indigenous staff, and can arrange interpreters where needed. 

Congress Privacy Officer

Name: William MacNeil

Email: william.macneil@caac.org.au

Post: PO Box 1604, Alice Springs, NT 0871

If you need help, please let us know. We will make time to listen and support you properly.

Please visit our website at www.caac.org.au for more contact information, to connect with our primary health services and details of our regional offices.