DS Psychology Group Privacy Policy
Last updated: 9 September 2026
1. About this Privacy Policy
DS Psychology Group Pty Ltd (ABN 74 162 375 117) ("DS Psychology", "we", "us" or "our") provides psychology, counselling, assessment and related professional services in Victoria.
We are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of personal and health information. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use and protect it, when it may be shared, and how you can access your information or raise a privacy concern.
Our privacy obligations may include the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles, the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) and the Health Privacy Principles.
2. Information we collect
We collect personal and health information that is reasonably necessary to provide our services and operate our practice. Depending on your relationship with us, this may include:
- your name, date of birth and contact details;
- health history, presenting concerns, psychological information, medications and other information relevant to treatment or assessment;
- clinical notes, appointment information, questionnaires, assessment results, reports and correspondence;
- referral information and details provided by GPs, specialists, parents, guardians, carers, schools or other professionals where relevant;
- Medicare, private health insurance, NDIS, WorkCover, TAC, EAP or other funding information where applicable;
- billing and payment information; and
- information you provide when you contact us, make an enquiry, use our website or communicate with our team.
3. How we collect information
We usually collect information directly from you when you contact us, complete forms, book or attend an appointment, use telehealth, make a payment or communicate with our team.
Where appropriate and permitted, we may also receive information from another person or organisation, such as a parent or guardian, referrer, GP, specialist, school, insurer, funding body or another health professional.
4. How we use and share information
We may use personal and health information to:
- provide counselling, psychological assessment, professional supervision and related services;
- assess enquiries, referrals and service suitability;
- book and manage appointments and communicate with you;
- prepare clinical notes, reports, letters and recommendations;
- process payments, rebates, claims and funding arrangements;
- coordinate care with other health, education or support providers where appropriate and authorised;
- meet professional, clinical, insurance, regulatory and legal obligations; and
- manage our practice, systems, safety, quality and complaints.
We may share information with clinicians and authorised staff, healthcare or support providers involved in your care, parents or guardians where appropriate, funding bodies, insurers, and service providers that support our practice. We may also disclose information where you have consented or where disclosure is permitted or required by law.
We do not currently use health information for direct marketing. We may send administrative communications, such as appointment confirmations and reminders, through our practice management system.
5. Children and young people
For children and young people, consent, privacy and access arrangements may depend on age, capacity, family circumstances, the service being provided and applicable law. We explain the relevant arrangements during intake and before services begin.
6. Website, online forms and service providers
When you use our website, make an online enquiry or follow a booking link, limited technical information may be collected, such as your IP address, browser or device type and pages viewed. Our website may also use cookies or analytics tools to help us understand website performance and improve the user experience.
We use third-party technology providers to support services such as website hosting, practice management, telehealth, payments and communications. Some service providers or their subprocessors may process information outside Australia, including in the United States. Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to ensure personal information is handled in accordance with applicable privacy requirements.
7. Storage, security and retention
We take reasonable steps to protect personal and health information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. Information may be held in secure electronic systems and, where applicable, physical records, with access limited to people who need it for their role.
We retain health records for the periods required by applicable laws and professional obligations and securely dispose of information when it is no longer required.
8. Accessing or correcting your information
You may request access to personal or health information we hold about you and ask us to correct information you believe is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date. Some legal exceptions may apply.
To make a request, contact us using the details below. We may need to verify your identity before providing access and will let you know if any permitted fee applies.
9. Privacy complaints
If you have a concern about how we have handled your personal or health information, please contact our Privacy Officer so we can investigate and respond.
Privacy Officer: Rebecca Rhodes
Email: operationsmanager@dspsychology.com.au
We aim to acknowledge privacy complaints within 5 business days and provide a substantive response within 30 days. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may be able to contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) or the Victorian Health Complaints Commissioner (HCC), depending on the issue.
10. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to our services, systems or legal obligations. The current version will be published on our website with the date it was last updated.
Contact us
DS Psychology Group | Suite 6/37 Heatherdale Rd, Ringwood VIC 3134
(03) 9872 6255 | info@dspsychology.com.au