What you tell us stays with us

What we collect

Only what we need to help you: usually your name, how to contact you, and what we’re working on together. Sometimes we need more, like your income to apply for a payment, or your health if it affects what help you can get. We ask first, and tell you why.

You don’t have to give us your real name. You can stay anonymous or use another name, unless it’s needed for something you ask us to do, like a Centrelink claim.

Why we collect it

To help you, to remember what we’ve done so you don’t have to repeat your story, to keep people safe, and to report numbers (never names) to the organisations that fund us.

Who can see it

Only the staff, mentors and volunteers working with you, and only the parts they need. Everyone who works here signs a confidentiality agreement.

Where it’s kept

In a secure system that only our team can open. Paper notes are kept locked away, and shredded when no longer needed.

When we share it

With your permission, we share what’s needed with other services you want us to work with, like Centrelink, your landlord, or a specialist service.

Without your permission, only if someone’s safety is at serious risk, a child may be at risk of harm, or the law requires it. If that happens, we’ll tell you, unless telling you would put someone in danger.

Your rights

• See the information we hold about you
• Ask us to correct anything that’s wrong
• Ask how your information has been used or shared
• Make a complaint, and have it taken seriously

Ask anyone at the centre, or contact us.

This website

This website doesn’t use advertising or tracking cookies, and doesn’t share your visit with social media companies. This website has no forms: to reach us, call or email.

Concerns and complaints

Tell us first: feedback and complaints. If you’re not happy with our answer, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner on 1300 363 992 or at oaic.gov.au.