Almond Wellness Pty Ltd
Last Updated: 23 June 2025
1. Introduction
Almond Wellness Pty Ltd (“Almond Wellness Centre”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) operates www.oztcm.com.au and related online services (“Website”).
We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in accordance with:
- The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
- The Australian Privacy Principles (APPs)
- The Health Records Act 2001 (VIC)
- Other applicable Australian privacy and health information laws
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and disclose your personal information when you use our Website or services.
2. What Personal Information We Collect
We may collect personal information including:
General Personal Information
- Full name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Postal address
- Date of birth
- Health & Sensitive Information
As a healthcare provider, we may collect sensitive health information including:
Medical history
- Treatment details
- Symptoms and diagnoses
- Medication information
- Clinical notes
Health information is classified as “sensitive information” under Australian law and is handled with additional protections.
Website & Technical Information
- IP address
- Browser type
- Device information
- Pages visited
- Cookies and usage data
3. How We Collect Information
We collect information when you:
- Book an appointment (online or in person)
- Register an account
- Complete intake forms
- Subscribe to newsletters
- Submit a contact form
- Communicate with us via email, phone, or telehealth
- Use our Website
Where possible, we collect personal information directly from you.
4. Why We Collect and Use Your Information
We collect and use personal information to:
- Provide healthcare services
- Manage appointments and treatment plans
- Process payments and health fund claims
- Communicate regarding your care
- Improve our Website and services
- Comply with legal and regulatory obligations
- Prevent fraud and ensure system security
We will not use your personal information for direct marketing without your consent.
5. Online Booking & Registration Data
If you register an account on our Website:
- Your username and email are stored securely
- You may access, edit, or update your personal details
- Website administrators may access this information for support purposes
6. Contact Forms
Information submitted through our contact form:
- Is sent to our secure business email
- Is retained only for customer service purposes
- Is not sold or shared for marketing purposes
7. Cookies & Analytics
Cookies
We may use cookies to:
- Improve user experience
- Store preferences
- Enable core site functionality
- Provide anonymised usage statistics
You may disable cookies through your browser settings.
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics for aggregated, anonymised reporting of Website usage.
Google Analytics may collect:
- IP address
- Device information
- Usage behaviour
No personally identifiable health data is shared with Google.
You may opt out via Google’s browser opt-out tools.
8. Embedded Third-Party Content
Our Website may include embedded content (e.g., YouTube videos, social media feeds). These third-party services operate under their own privacy policies.
We are not responsible for their privacy practices.
9. Who We Share Information With
We do not sell or trade personal information.
We may disclose information only when necessary to:
- Health fund providers (for claims processing)
- Payment processors
- IT service providers
- Secure booking platforms
- Government authorities if required by law
All third-party providers are required to comply with privacy obligations.
10. Storage & Security
We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information, including:
- SSL/HTTPS encryption
- Secure booking software
- Password-protected systems
- Access controls for staff
- Secure storage of clinical records
However, no online transmission is completely secure. You provide information at your own risk.
11. Data Retention
We retain health records in accordance with Victorian legal requirements.
Under the Health Records Act (VIC):
- Adult health records must generally be retained for at least 7 years from the last date of service.
- Records for patients under 18 must be retained until the patient turns 25.
Website account data may be retained until deletion is requested.
12. Data Breach Procedures
If a data breach occurs that is likely to result in serious harm, we will:
- Investigate promptly
- Contain the breach
- Notify affected individuals
- Comply with the Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) Scheme
13. Your Privacy Rights
You have the right to:
- Request access to your personal information
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request deletion (where legally permitted)
- Withdraw consent (where applicable)
- Lodge a complaint
Some information cannot be deleted if we are legally required to retain it.
14. Telehealth Privacy
Telehealth consultations use secure platforms. However:
- Internet-based communication carries inherent risks
- Patients are responsible for ensuring privacy at their location
- We recommend using private, secure networks
15. Overseas Data Storage
Some of our third-party service providers (e.g., cloud hosting or analytics providers) may store data on servers located outside Australia.
Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to ensure appropriate privacy safeguards are in place.
16. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.
The updated version will be posted on our Website with a revised date.
Continued use of our Website or services indicates acceptance of any changes.
17. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to access your personal information, please contact:
Almond Wellness Centre
Via our Website contact form
www.oztcm.com.au
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact:
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)