Privacy Policy

Abacus Learning Centre is committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the National Privacy Principles contained in the Commonwealth Privacy Act and as such this statement outlines how the Centre uses and manages personal information provided to or collected by it. This Privacy Policy will from time to time be reviewed and updated to take account of new laws and technology.

 

Type of Information

The type of information Abacus collects and holds information about:

• Students and parents and/or guardians (‘parents’) before, during and after the course of a student’s enrolment at the Centre;
• Job applicants, staff members, volunteers and contractors;
• Other people who come into contact with the Centre.

 

Collection of Personal Information

Abacus will generally collect personal information held about an individual by way of forms filled out in-person, online via email or the website and telephone calls. In some circumstances, the Centre may be provided with personal information about an individual from a third party; for example, a medical report or school reference.

 

Exception in relation to employee records

Under the Privacy Act the National Privacy Principles do not apply to an employee record. As a result, this Privacy Policy does not apply to the Centre’s treatment of an employee record, where the treatment is directly related to a current or former employment relationship between Abacus and the employee.

 

Use of Personal Information

Abacus will use personal information it collects from you for the primary purpose of collection, and for such other secondary purposes that are related to the primary purpose of collection and reasonably expected, or to which you have consented.

 

Students and Parents

In relation to personal information of students and parents, the primary purpose of collection is to enable the Centre to provide programs for the students.

The purposes for which Abacus uses personal information of students and parents include:

• To keep Parents informed about matters related to their child’s program, through correspondence, newsletters and magazines;
• Day-to-day administration;
• Looking after students’ educational, social and medical wellbeing;
• Seeking donations and marketing for the Centre;
• To satisfy the Centre’s legal obligations and allow Abacus to discharge its duty of care.

In some cases where Abacus requests personal information about a student or parent, if the information requested is not obtained, the Centre may not be able to enrol or continue the enrolment of the student.

 

Job applicants, staff members and contractors

In relation to personal information of job applicants, staff members and contractors, the primary purpose of collection is to assess and (if successful) to employ the applicant, staff member or contractor, as the case may be.

The purposes for which Abacus uses personal information of job applicants, staff members and contractors include:

• In administering the individual’s employment or contract, as the case may be;
• For insurance purposes;
• Seeking funds and marketing the Centre;
• To satisfy the Centre’s legal requirements.

 

Volunteers

Abacus also obtains personal information about volunteers who assist the Centre in its functions or conduct associated activities, to enable the Centre and the volunteers to work together.

 

Marketing and Fundraising

Abacus treats marketing and seeking donations for the future growth and development of the Centre as an important part of ensuring it continues to be a quality learning environment.

Personal information held by the Centre may be disclosed to an organisation that assists in the fundraising and marketing.

Parents, staff, contractors and other members of the wider community may from time to time receive fundraising information and publications, like newsletters and magazines.

 

Personal Information Disclosure

Abacus may disclose personal information, possibly including sensitive information, held about an individual to:

• another school;
• Government departments;
• Medical practitioners;
• People providing services to the Centre, including specialist visiting teachers;
• Anyone you authorise the School to disclose information to

 

Sending Information Overseas

Abacus will not send personal information about an individual outside Australia without:

• Obtaining the consent of the individual (in some cases this consent will be implied); or
• Otherwise complying with the National Privacy Principles.

 

Sensitive Information

In referring to ‘sensitive information’, it means: information relating to a person’s racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religion, trade union or other professional or trade association membership, sexual preferences or criminal record, that is also personal information; and health information about an individual. Sensitive information will be used and disclosed only for the purpose for which it was provided or a directly related secondary purpose, unless you agree otherwise, or the use or disclosure of the sensitive information is allowed by law.

 

Management and Security of Personal Information

Staff are required to respect the confidentiality of students’ and parents’ personal information and the privacy of individuals. Abacus has in place steps to protect the personal information the Centre holds from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure by use of various methods.

 

Updating Personal Information

Abacus endeavours to ensure that the personal information it holds is accurate, complete and up-to-date. A person may seek to update their personal information held by Abacus by contacting the Centre at any time. The National Privacy Principles require the Centre not to store personal information longer than necessary.

 

Checking of Personal Information

Under the Commonwealth Privacy Act, an individual has the right to obtain access to any personal information that Abacus holds about them and to advise the Centre of any perceived inaccuracy. There are some exceptions to this right set out in the Act.

To make a request to access any information the Centre holds about you or your child, please contact Abacus in writing.

Abacus may require you to verify your identity and specify what information you require. The Centre may charge a fee to cover the cost of verifying your application and locating, retrieving, reviewing and copying any material requested. If the information sought is extensive, the Centre will advise the likely cost in advance.

 

Consent and Rights of Access

Abacus respects every parent’s right to make decisions concerning their child’s education.

Generally, the Centre will refer any requests for consent and notices in relation to the personal information of a student to the student’s parents. The Centre will treat consent given by parents as consent given on behalf of the student, and notice to parents will act as notice given to the student.

Parents may seek access to personal information held by Abacus about them or their child by contacting the Centre. However, there may be occasions when access is denied. Such occasions would include where release of the information would have an unreasonable impact on the privacy of others, or where the release may result in a breach of the Centre’s duty of care to the student.