PRIVACY POLICY

HYPE* Disability Success Service

Our Commitment to Protecting Your Privacy

At HYPE* Disability Success Service (“HYPE”, “we”, “us”), we are committed to protecting your privacy and the rights of individuals in relation to their personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how, when and why we collect, hold, use and disclose your personal information, how you can access or correct it, and the steps we take to keep it secure. We comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and all relevant legislation.

1. Policy Statement

HYPE supports the responsible and secure handling of personal information. We respect your right to know how your information is managed, and we are committed to transparency in our practices. This Policy is based on the following principles:

• We handle personal information responsibly and securely;

• We respect your right to know how your information is collected, used, held, and disclosed;

• We provide ways for you to access or correct your information;

• We ensure our staff understand their responsibilities regarding privacy.

2. What is Personal Information?

Personal information refers to any information or opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable. This applies whether the information or opinion is true or not, and whether it is recorded in a material form or not. Personal information includes, but is not limited to:

• Name

• Address

• Contact details (such as phone number and email address)

• Date of birth

• Other information relevant to providing our services

Some personal information is considered ‘sensitive information’. This includes information about your: 

i.   health;

ii.  racial or ethnic origin;

iii. religious beliefs;

iv.  sexual orientation;

v.   criminal record;

vi.  Membership of a political association; or

vii. Philosophical beliefs;

Sensitive information is subject to greater protection under the law and is only collected if required for our services or as permitted by law.

3. Collection of Personal Information

Why We Collect Your Information

We may collect Personal Information and Sensitive Information from you so that we can provide services to you if you are a client, to manage our relationship with you, or where this is otherwise necessary for our functions or activities. In particular, if you are a client, we may collect your Personal Information to provide you with Health Services and other services, or to provide you with information regarding our services. The type of Personal Information we collect about you depends on the type of dealings we have with you. You provide most of your Personal Information directly to us and for a specific purpose.

Types of Information We Collect

• Biographical information (e.g., name, birthdate, relationship details)

• Contact information (addresses, emails, telephone numbers)

• Health information (where relevant for service provision)

• Diversity status (ethnicity, gender identity, lifestyle preferences, languages spoken at home)

• Emergency contacts or advocate details

• Any other relevant information needed for providing our services

How We Collect Information

Most personal information is collected directly from you when you:

• Request our services or interact with us via our website, phone, or in person;

• Provide feedback or complete forms;

• Supply goods or services to us;

•  send us a message (e.g. where you contact us through our website);

• ask us to provide you with services – including as a client, online or by phone;

• interact with us or make a comment Website/s or social media;

• make a donation;

• ask to receive newsletters/updates;

• ask to obtain resources such as promotional materials;

• complete a feedback form;

• participate in a publicity photo shoot or other audio visual activity;

• apply for a job with us;

 We may also collect information from family members, advocates, service providers, or healthcare professionals if you consent, or if permitted or required by law. If it is unreasonable or impractical to collect information directly from you, we will only collect it from others in accordance with relevant legislation. 

We collect Personal Information for purposes such as employment, volunteer engagement, processing payments or grants, procurement, or customer service. This information may include contact details, employment information, insurance, banking, and any details you provide us through our platforms or in person

 From time to time, we may collect general, non-personal, statistical information about the use of our Website/s or Mobile Application, such as survey feedback. In addition to this,

we will track users to determine the status of users (i.e. whether they user is active or inactive). We may group this information into aggregated data in order to describe the use of our Website/s or Mobile Application to our existing or potential business partners, sponsors, advertisers, or other third parties, or in response to a government request. However, please be assured that this aggregate data will in no way personally identify any individuals or any other users of our Website/s or Mobile Application.

4. Use and Disclosure of Personal Information

We use your personal and sensitive information to provide support and services, improve our products and offerings, manage our relationship with you, and comply with any legal obligations.

We will not use or disclose your information for purposes other than those for which it was collected, unless:

• You provide your consent;

• The other purpose is directly related to our primary purpose and you would reasonably expect it;

• We are required or permitted by law.

Disclosure may occur to relevant service providers, medical practitioners, emergency contacts, regulatory authorities, or IT/administrative contractors, only as necessary and in accordance with privacy obligations.

5. Data Security

We take all reasonable steps to protect your information from misuse, loss, unauthorized access, modification, or disclosure. Your information is stored securely, and access is restricted to those who need it for service provision or business operations. When your information is no longer required, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or de-identify it, except where it is required to be retained by law (e.g. minimum retention periods).

6. Accessing and Correcting Your Personal Information

You can request access to personal information we hold about you at any time. We may ask you to verify your identity before releasing information. If you believe your information is incorrect, incomplete, or outdated, you may request its correction. If we do not agree with your requested changes, we will add a note to your file stating your disagreement. There may be situations where we cannot provide access (e.g., impacting others’ privacy or breaching confidentiality); in such cases, we will provide written reasons.

7. Dealing with Us Anonymously

Where practicable, you may interact with us anonymously or using a pseudonym (for example, when making a general enquiry). However, full identification may be required to access certain services.

8. Children’s Privacy

We are committed to protecting the privacy of children and young people. If we collect personal information from individuals under the age of 18, we will do so only with the consent of a parent or legal guardian, or as otherwise permitted by law. Personal information about children will be handled with particular care and in accordance with this Privacy Policy and relevant legislation. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child without appropriate consent, we will take reasonable steps to delete or de-identify that information as soon as practicable.

9. Third party links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. Please note that we are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites. We recommend that you review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit

10. Cookies and Online Tracking

Our website may use “cookies” and other online tracking technologies to enhance your experience, measure site usage, and improve our services. Cookies do not identify you personally. You can adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies, but some website features may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

11. Direct Marketing

We may send you updates on our services and other information via post or email, in accordance with relevant marketing laws. You can opt out of receiving such communications at any time by contacting us or following the unsubscribe instructions.

12. Overseas Disclosure

Your data may be stored or processed by third-party service providers outside Australia (for example, for web hosting or analytics). If personal information is transferred overseas, we take reasonable steps to ensure it remains protected and handled in accordance with Australian privacy principles.

13. Data Breach Notification

If we become aware of any unauthorised access or disclosure of your personal information that is likely to result in serious harm, we will notify you and the Australian Information Commissioner in accordance with the Privacy Act.

14. Complaints and Contacting Us

If you have questions about this policy, concerns about how your information is managed, or wish to make a privacy complaint, please contact our Privacy Officer:

• Post: suite 4, 17 Short st. Port Macquarie 2444

• Email: Brandyn@hypedss.com

• Phone: 0499 582 085

We will address your enquiry or complaint promptly, aiming to respond within 30 days. If you are dissatisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC): https://www.oaic.gov.au or phone 1300 363 992.

15. Changes to This Policy

We review this Policy regularly and may update it to reflect changes in legislation or business practices. The latest version will always be available on our website.

Last updated: 1 AUG 2025