Current as of: 22/06/2026
Access Eye Centre is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our patients' personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and disclose your personal information, including your health information, in the course of providing ophthalmology services and managing our practice.
We are committed to handling your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and applicable health privacy legislation.
When you register as a patient with
Access Eye Centre and provide your personal information, you consent to our ophthalmologists, clinical staff, and administrative team collecting, accessing, and using your information to provide healthcare services to you.
Only staff members who require access to your information to perform their duties will have access to it.
If we need to use or disclose your information for a purpose other than providing healthcare services or managing our practice, we will seek your consent unless otherwise permitted or required by law.
We collect personal information primarily to provide safe, effective, and appropriate eye care services.
We may also collect, use, hold, and share your information for purposes including:
- Managing your healthcare and treatment
- Maintaining accurate clinical records
- Communicating with you regarding appointments, test results, and treatment plans
- Processing Medicare, DVA, and private health insurance claims
- Practice administration and business operations
- Quality assurance, accreditation, and audit activities
- Meeting legal and regulatory obligations
The information we may collect includes:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Residential and postal address
- Telephone numbers and email address
- Emergency contact, next of kin, or carer details
- Medicare details
- Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) information where applicable
- Private health insurance details
- Healthcare identifiers
- Medical history and eye health information
- Current medications and allergies
- Clinical notes, diagnostic imaging, test results, and treatment records
- Referral letters and correspondence from healthcare providers
You have the right to deal with us anonymously or using a pseudonym where practical.
However, in most circumstances it is not practical for us to provide healthcare services without collecting identifying information, and we may be required by law to verify your identity.
We collect personal information in a number of ways.
- Directly from You
- When you make an appointment
- When you complete patient registration forms
- During consultations, examinations, and treatment
- Through telephone conversations, emails, and secure electronic healthcare communication systems used by healthcare providers
- From Other Healthcare Providers
During the course of your care, we may receive information from:
- General practitioners
- Optometrists
- Ophthalmologists and other specialists
- Hospitals and day surgery facilities
- Pathology and diagnostic imaging providers
- Allied health practitioners
- From Other Sources
Where appropriate, information may also be collected from:
- Your parent, guardian, carer, or authorised representative
- Medicare
- Department of Veterans' Affairs
- Private health insurers
- My Health Record system (where relevant and authorised)
Your personal information may be shared with:
- Healthcare professionals involved in your treatment and ongoing care
- Hospitals and surgical facilities
- Diagnostic imaging and pathology providers
- Medicare, DVA, and private health insurers for billing and claims processing
- Third-party service providers who support our practice operations, including secure information technology and practice management systems
- Accreditation bodies and auditors where required
- Government agencies, courts, tribunals, or regulatory authorities where required or authorised by law
We may also disclose information where:
- It is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to life, health, or safety
- It is required to assist in locating a missing person
- It is necessary to establish, exercise, or defend a legal claim
- There is a statutory reporting obligation
We will not disclose your personal information to overseas recipients without your consent unless otherwise permitted by law.
We do not sell or rent personal information to third parties.
Access Eye Centre will not use your personal information to market products or services to you without your consent.
If you have consented to receive marketing communications, you may opt out at any time by contacting our practice.
When you visit our website, certain information may be collected automatically, including your IP address, browser type, device information, and website usage data.
Our website may use cookies and analytics tools to improve website functionality and user experience.
You can disable cookies through your browser settings; however, some website features may not function correctly if cookies are disabled.
We take reasonable steps to protect your information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure.
Your information may be stored in electronic and paper-based records.
Security measures may include:
- Password-protected systems and devices
- Restricted staff access to patient information
- Secure data storage and backup procedures
- Confidentiality obligations for staff and contractors
- Physical security measures for paper records
While we take reasonable precautions, no method of data transmission or storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you and to request corrections if your information is inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date.
Requests for access or correction should be made in writing using the contact details below.
We will respond within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable privacy legislation.
In certain circumstances, access may be restricted where permitted by law.
If you have concerns about how your personal information has been handled, please contact us in writing.
We will investigate your complaint and endeavour to respond within 30 days.
Access Eye Centre
Email:
info@accesseyecentre.com.au
Phone: (02) 9145 2177
Address: East Sydney Private Hospital
Level 5, 75 Crown St, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact:
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
Website:
www.oaic.gov.au
Phone: 1300 363 992
This Privacy Policy is reviewed periodically to ensure it remains current and compliant with relevant legislation.
Any updates to this policy will be published on our website and will take effect from the date of publication.
