Client Information & Confidentiality
Relationships Australia WA (RAWA) collects personal information to provide services to our clients. We may also use your information to help us manage our organisation, and to improve the quality of our services. We are bound by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). We will not share your information without your consent unless necessary for safety reasons or if the law requires us to.
Inadmissibility under the Family Law Act
The Australian government has designated RAWA as a family counselling organisation under the Family Law Act. What is said during family counselling regarding personal and interpersonal issues concerning marriage, divorce, separation and the care of children cannot be used as evidence in any court. This protection also applies to children affected by separation and divorce. The only exception that may apply is if there is an admission or disclosure of child abuse or the risk of child abuse.
We will, therefore, object to any subpoenas to produce information disclosed during family counselling regarding marriage and family breakdown.
Limits to confidentiality
Our duty of care requires us to report information about you that we learn in the course of providing services to you if:
- a practitioner considers that a client is at risk of harm;
- a practitioner considers that a child may be at risk of harm or neglect;
- a client discloses to a practitioner that they have committed, or are likely to commit, a serious crime; or
- we are otherwise required by law.
As part of maintaining a high standard of professional practice and accountability, all practitioners regularly consult with a clinical supervisor and may discuss client information during their consultations.
More Information
For more information, you can talk to your practitioner about our approach to confidentiality.
You can also see our privacy policy at https://www.relationshipswa.org.au/privacy. It sets out our approach to the handling of personal information, including how you can access or correct your personal information, and our complaints handling procedures.
You can contact our Privacy Officer at:
Post:
Privacy Officer
Relationships Australia WA
PO Box 1206
West Leederville WA 6901
Email: privacy.officer@relationshipswa.org.au