Southern Cross Care (Vic) is committed to protecting the personal information and health information which it collects, holds and uses in accordance with the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988, the National Privacy Principles under that Act, the Victorian Health Records Act 2001 and the Health Privacy Principles under that Act.

Collection of Personal and Health Information
We collect personal and health information where necessary to process applications and provide our clients with relevant services and to plan for and facilitate care and service delivery. Some personal information concerning our clients and their family members is used to assess the level and type of care appropriate to the client's needs and to assist with entitlement claims for funding. We may also collect personal information about other persons, such as donors and volunteers.

Use and Disclosure
Southern Cross Care (Vic) may at times disclose personal and health information where necessary to provide services and to plan for service delivery. This may involve disclosure to contractors and other care providers. We may also disclose this information to the Commonwealth Government or its agencies, in accordance with the provisions of the Aged Care Act or other relevant law.
Wherever practical, we ensure that any third party to whom any personal or health information is disclosed is aware of our obligations under the Privacy Act and the Health Records Act and that they agree to be bound by these obligations.

Protection of Information
Southern Cross Care (Vic) has security measures in place and all personnel who handle personal and health information have a duty to protect it from unauthorised access, use or disclosure. When information is no longer required to be held it is destroyed appropriately.

Accuracy of Information, Access & Correction
All reasonable steps will be taken to ensure that personal and health information held by Southern Cross Care (Vic) is accurate and up-to-date. On request, subject to the exceptions set out in the National Privacy Principles and the Health Privacy Principles, an individual will be provided with access to personal or health information held about them and given reasonable opportunity to correct any inaccuracies or out-of-date information. A request for access can be made to the Privacy Officer whose details appear below. A fee may be charged to cover the cost of processing a request for access.

Privacy Complaints

Any concerns regarding the privacy policies and practices of Southern Cross Care (Vic), or requests for access to personal or health information should be addressed to:
The Privacy Officer,
Southern Cross Care (Vic)
PO Box 298, Oakleigh, Victoria 3166 Phone: (03) 8564 1800