Document Owner: Jodie Rollason, CEO
Document Author: Jodie Rollason, CEO
Supporting Legislation & Documents: Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
Your privacy is of the utmost importance to the Mountains Youth Services Team (MYST). MYST is a registered charity that provides programs and services for youth support and assistance, including providing drop-in youth centres, schoolbased programs, school holiday activities organising outdoor recreational programs, and providing individual counselling and casework support. MYST is committed to protecting and supporting those who register with us to participate in our programs and receive our services, including by respecting your privacy rights.
We collect certain types of personal information in the course of operating our youth support programs and providing services to you. This document describes how and why we collect your personal information, the purposes which we may use or disclose such information, and provides you with information on how to raise issues or complaints with us or relevant regulators in respect of your personal information.
MYST may update this privacy policy from time to time. The latest version of the privacy policy will be publicised on this page.
What is personal information?
Personal information is defined by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and means information or an opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable. Personal information can include your name, home address, email address and date of birth.
What kinds of personal information do we collect?
As a youth service, the personal information we collect can include your name, home address, contact details, date of birth or educational information. In certain circumstances, and only with you or your guardian’s consent, we may collect sensitive information about you while providing certain services through our casework and counselling services. Sensitive information is information about your racial or ethnic origin, political opinion, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, criminal record, or your health information.
How do we collect personal information?
We collect information that you directly give us when you interact with us, including in-person, by phone, email, and online when you make an enquiry with us, or you register for our events or make a donation. If you sign up to our services or programs, or apply to volunteer with us, we will require you to complete a paper or electronic form providing your contact details and other personal information including your next of kin and a working with Children’s check. Depending on the services you require, we may assign one or more staff as your case worker, who may record other personal information relating to you in their case records.
Sometimes, we collect information about you from other organisations who have referred your details to us, or through your guardian.
We will obtain consent from you, or where you are under the age of 16, your guardian before collecting any sensitive information about you or in other circumstances where we are required to obtain such consent under applicable privacy laws.
You do not need to provide personal information when interacting with us, or you may provide a pseudonym or de-identified information, but we may not be able to provide you with the services you need if you do not provide the required personal information.
How do we store and protect your personal information?
We hold your personal information electronically and on hard copy, and we take reasonable steps to ensure that your personal information is protected from unauthorised access, modification, disclosure or interference.
What purposes do we use personal information?
The main purpose why we collect, hold and use your personal information is to carry out our functions and activities including to provide you with our services, to allow you to participate in our programs, people and associated activities, including sending you newsletters or other communications. You can opt out of newsletters at any time by following instructions to unsubscribe from the mailing list in the newsletter, or emailing us at the email below to ask to be removed from the mailing list.
Who do we disclose personal information to?
We may disclose your personal information to other third parties, such as:
- Partners, service providers and volunteers that are engaged by us to perform services to you, or help us run our social programs;
- Third party organisations, where you have requested us to arrange a referral to such organisation;
- Government agencies or authorities, if you request us to, if required or authorised by an Australian law or a court or tribunal order, or if we otherwise believe necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to the life, health or safety of any individual or to public health or safety; or if we suspect that any unlawful activities or serious misconduct has been engaged in, in relation to our functions and activities;
- DCJ for the purposes of reporting (information sent is not identifiable)
How can you access and correct your personal information?
You have a right to request access to the personal information that we have about you and to request correction of your personal information. If you have any requests, you can contact the CEO at 1300 006 978, 59 Springwood Avenue, SPRINGWOOD NSW 2777 or info@myst.com.au. We will endeavour to respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe.
Complaints
If you have any complaints about a breach of your privacy, you can contact us at 59 Springwood Avenue, SPRINGWOOD, NSW, 2777 or info@myst.com.au You should make your complaint in writing, and we will respond to you within a reasonable timeframe (usually 30 days).
If your complaint is not resolved after you have contacted us, you can complain directly to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) (https://www.oaic.gov.au/) or mail the complaint to the OAIC at GPO Box 5288, Sydney NSW 2001.