Privacy Policy

Last Updated: June 2026

At Ashburton Podiatry, we are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal and health information with the highest level of care, security, and confidentiality. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and disclose your information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and relevant state health records legislation.

1. Why We Collect Your Information

Ashburton Podiatry needs to collect personal and health information about you for the primary purpose of providing high-quality podiatric care. In order to thoroughly assess, diagnose, and provide effective therapy, we must gather relevant details regarding your medical history, lifestyle, and physical health.

Important Note: If you choose not to provide the requested personal or health information, in part or in full, we may be unable to perform a complete assessment. This may directly impact the accuracy of your diagnosis and the safety or effectiveness of the subsequent therapy provided, and in some circumstances, we may be unable to treat you.

2. Types of Information We Collect

Depending on whether you are browsing our website, submitting an enquiry, or attending an in-person clinical consultation, we may collect:

  • Contact & Identifying Information: Your name, date of birth, phone number, email address, and residential address.

  • Health & Clinical Information: Your medical history, current medications, previous diagnoses, footwear habits, imaging reports (X-rays/ultrasounds), and clinical assessment results.

  • Financial Information: Billing details, private health fund information, or insurance/compensation claim details.

3. How We Use and Disclose Your Information

Your information will be used strictly to support your healthcare management and the operational integrity of our practice. This includes:

  • Internal Clinical Continuity: Use within the practice if discussing your case or passing your management to another internal practitioner for ongoing care or handovers.

  • Practice Administration: The day-to-day administrative running of our clinic, including scheduling, general communications, and billing (either directly to you or through an insurer, Medicare, or compensation agency).

  • External Multidisciplinary Care: Disclosing information to your General Practitioner (GP), referring doctors, specialists, or other involved health professionals to facilitate clear communication and ensure the best possible coordinated care.

  • Educational Coordination: Where relevant (such as pediatric assessment), communicating with teachers or educational staff to support your care, strictly with your knowledge or consent.

  • Insurance & Compensation Claims: In the case of work-related injuries, insurance schemes, or compensation claims, it may be necessary to collect and/or disclose relevant clinical information affecting your treatment and return-to-work status to your employer, insurer, or legal representatives.

  • Practice Updates: Specific service or clinical product information deemed highly suitable for your ongoing foot health management may be forwarded to you by us. We strictly do not disclose or sell your information to third-party commercial marketing companies. You may instruct us to stop sending these practice updates at any time.

4. Consent and Patient Authority

Your formal written consent will be obtained at the commencement of your clinical treatment to carry out the necessary communication and care activities outlined above. Outside of these standard clinical and administrative pathways, we will only disclose your diagnostic or treatment information to third parties with your explicit consent, or where required/authorized by Australian law.

5. Cross-Border Data Disclosures

We respect your digital privacy. We do not disclose, transfer, or store your personal or health information with overseas recipients. All core clinical data is managed within Australia.

6. Website Privacy & Digital Analytics

When you interact with us digitally via this website, the following privacy rules apply:

  • Online Enquiries: If you contact us via our public email address, your information is treated securely and used solely by our reception team to manage your administrative or billing enquiry.

  • Cookies & Traffic Data: This website utilizes standard analytics tracking (powered by Squarespace) to measure visitor volume, geographic traffic sources, and page usage. This data is aggregated, completely anonymous, and does not identify individual users. It is used purely to optimize the performance of our website.

7. Data Security and Accuracy

Information at Ashburton Podiatry is stored securely using industry-standard digital and physical safeguards. Access to your records is strictly restricted to authorized practice staff who require the information to perform their clinical or administrative duties.

We take all reasonable steps to ensure that the personal and health information we collect about you is accurate, complete, and up to date.

8 Notifiable Data Breaches

In the unlikely event that your personal or health information is involved in a data breach that is likely to result in serious harm, we will immediately take steps to contain the breach. We will notify you and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) promptly, providing clear guidance on the steps you can take to protect your security.

9. Contact Information and Enquiries

We take the management of your personal and health information seriously. If you have any questions regarding this policy, wish to update your personal details to ensure accuracy, or would like to request access to your records, please contact our clinic directly:

  • Practice Name: Ashburton Podiatry

  • Clinic Address: 469 Warrigal Road, Ashwood, VIC 3147

  • Phone: 9885 9910

Our team will handle your enquiry promptly, transparently, and in accordance with Australian clinical privacy standards.