Privacy Policy

Effective date: 15th June 2025

This website, located at www.melbouregutdietitians.com.au (the “Site”), is owned and operated by Sarah Melton (trading as Melbourne Gut Dietitians) (“we”, “us” or “our”).

We are committed to protecting your personal information and complying with our obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (including the Australian Privacy Principles) and the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic).

This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose and store personal information, including through our website, booking system, and any communications you have with us online or offline.

1. Collection of Personal Information

We collect your personal information when you:

Make a booking via our online booking system
Submit an enquiry via our website or contact form
Communicate with us via email, phone or social media
Visit or interact with our website (including through cookies and analytics)
Provide information as part of the intake or treatment process

We generally collect personal information directly from you, unless it is unreasonable or impracticable to do so (e.g. referrals from your GP or other health providers).

If you are under 15 years of age, we require that a parent or guardian provide or consent to the provision of your personal information.

2. Types of Personal Information We Collect

The personal information we may collect includes:

Full name, date of birth, phone number, email address, postal address
Medicare and private health insurance details (if applicable)
Referrer or GP contact details
Appointment information and service preferences
Any health information you voluntarily provide through online forms or communications
Technical data such as IP address, device type, and website usage patterns (via cookies)

In some cases, we may also collect sensitive information, including health-related data relevant to your care. This is handled in accordance with the applicable health privacy legislation.

This enables us to safely, appropriately and accurately provide our services and assess the needs of our customer in the provision of our services and to generally assist in optimising the quality of our service.

Consent
By engaging us or registering your details on our Website, and/or using our Website or supplying information or documents to us or otherwise engaging our services, you consent to us collecting, using and disclosing your personal information (including health information) for the purposes specified in this Privacy Policy. By registering your details on our Website, and/or using our Website you also agree to our Terms of Use.

3. Use of Personal Information

We may use your personal information to:

Provide dietetic and nutrition services, including assessment, communication, follow-up and appointment management
Respond to enquiries or requests
Send you appointment reminders and administrative updates
Improve website functionality and user experience
Send you newsletters or service-related communications (if you opt-in)
Meet our legal and professional obligations

We will not use or disclose your personal information for any secondary purpose unless:

You have provided consent
It is related to the primary purpose of collection and you would reasonably expect us to use or disclose it in that way
We are required or authorised by law

4. Use of Third-Party Providers and Data Hosting

We use third-party platforms to manage bookings and securely store client information (e.g. Cliniko). These providers have their own privacy and security safeguards and may store data on servers located outside of Australia.

By using our booking system or submitting information via our website, you consent to the international storage of your personal information by these providers.

We will never sell your personal information to third parties.

5. Website Analytics and Cookies

Our website uses browser “cookies” and third-party analytics tools (such as Google Analytics and Meta Pixel) to collect anonymised data about how users interact with the site. This may include:

Your device type, IP address, and browser type
Pages viewed and time spent on the website
Links clicked or forms submitted

We use this information to improve our site, understand user preferences, and offer relevant content. This data does not identify you personally.

You can disable cookies via your browser settings, though some site functionality may be limited.

6. Direct Marketing

We may use your personal information to contact you with health updates, clinic news, or service offerings. These communications will only be sent if you have opted in.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in our emails or contacting us at: admin@melbournegutdietitians.com.au

We do not provide your information to third parties for marketing purposes.

7. Storage and Security

We store personal information:

Electronically via secure, password-protected platforms

Access to your information is restricted to authorised personnel only. While we take reasonable steps to protect your data, no system is 100% secure and transmission over the internet carries some risk.

We will retain your information only for as long as necessary to provide services or as required under health record retention laws. After this period, we will securely destroy or de-identify your data.

8. Accessing or Updating Your Information

You have the right to request access to or correction of your personal information. To do so, please email: admin@melbournegutdietitians.com.au

We may refuse access in limited circumstances (e.g. where required by law or in relation to health information), in which case we will provide written reasons.

9. Questions, Concerns or Complaints

If you have any concerns about your privacy or this policy, please contact:

Email: admin@melbournegutdietitians.com.au

We will do our best to respond promptly and resolve your concern. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC): www.oaic.gov.au