Privacy policy
Introduction
Focus on Family is committed to providing quality services to you and this policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information.
We have adopted the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). The APPs govern the way in which we collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your Personal Information.
A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the website of The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.oaic.gov.au.
Who does this privacy policy apply to?
This policy applies to any person for whom we currently hold, or may in the future collect, Personal Information.
What information does this privacy policy apply to?
In broad terms, ‘personal information’ is information or opinions relating to a particular identifiable individual.
Information or opinions are not Personal Information where they cannot be linked to a particular individual.
Focus on Family is a law firm and holds different information depending on the legal services provided to clients or, in the case of prospective employees, the information needed to assess future employment with us. Generally, the types of information that we may collect and hold include:
a) contact information (such as name, address and phone number);
b) financial information;
c) business circumstances;
d) family circumstances;
e) information about assets and investments;
f) employment history;
g) gender;
h) date and place of birth;
i) insurance information;
j) banking information;
k) credit information;
l) credit card details;
m) expertise and interests;
n) tax file numbers;
o) driver’s licence and other photographic information;
p) video or photographic footage given by clients to us for legal advice;
q) information otherwise required by law; and
r) any other personal information required to perform the legal service to the individual.
Where possible, we will only collect the Personal Information required to provide the legal service to the individual, or as required by our professional obligations.
Sensitive Information
Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information or opinion about such things as an individual's racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union or other professional body, criminal record or health information.
Sensitive information will be used by us only:
For the primary purpose for which it was obtained
For a secondary purpose that is directly related to the primary purpose
With your consent; or where required or authorised by law.
Why do we collect, hold, use, or disclose personal information?
We take reasonable steps to use and disclose Personal Information for the primary purpose for which it is collected. The primary purpose for which information is collected varies, depending on the particular service being provided, but is generally to provide legal advice and services to an individual or their business.
In the case of potential employees, the primary purpose the information is collected is to assess the individual’s suitability for a position with us.
Personal Information may also be used or disclosed by us for secondary purposes that are within the individual’s reasonable expectations and related to the primary purpose of collection.
For example, we may use Personal Information for the following secondary purposes:
a) to add an individual’s details to our legal alerts list, to inform the individual of updates and changes to the law that may affect them and to invite them to legal events relevant to their industry (which can be unsubscribed from at any time);
b) to comply with our professional obligations; or
c) to provide a referral.
We may disclose Personal Information:
a) to other service providers or referral partners, in order to provide the legal service to the individual (for example, other solicitors, barristers, experts, accountants, insurers etc. as the context of the legal service requires);
b) to government bodies (such as ASIC or the ATO);
c) to paid search providers;
d) with the consent of the individual to whom the information relates; or
f) to third party contractors where it contracts out any financial, administrative, information technology or other services.
Otherwise, we will only disclose Personal Information to third parties with the relevant individual’s consent or if the disclosure is permitted by the Privacy Act.
How is personal information collected?
We collect Personal Information through interviews, correspondence, be telephone, by email, via our website www.focusonfamily.com.au and from third parties. We don’t guarantee website links or policy of authorised third parties.
Do we disclose information overseas?
We do not disclose Personal Information to overseas recipients, apart from in accordance with your instructions.
Access to your personal information
You may access the Personal Information we hold about you and to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing.
Focus on Family will not charge any fee for your access request, but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your Personal Information.
In order to protect your Personal Information we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.
Maintaining the quality of your personal information
It is an important to us that your Personal Information is up to date. We will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. If you find that the information we have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and ensure we can continue to provide quality services to you.
Changes to the Policy
We may update, modify or remove this policy at any time without prior notice. Any changes to the privacy policy will be published on our website.
This policy was last updated on 18 August 2019. If you have any comments on the policy, please contact our privacy officer on the contact details above.
Privacy Policy Complaints and Enquiries
If you have any queries or complaints about our Privacy Policy please contact us at: bonnie@focusonfamily.com.au