Privacy Policy Template for Australian Health Practitioners: What to Include

If you run a health and wellness business in Australia, you are trusted with some of the most sensitive personal information your clients will ever share. This might include medical histories, treatment plans, contact details, payment information, and even highly personal lifestyle data. With that trust comes a legal and ethical responsibility to keep this information safe and only use it in the ways your clients have agreed to.

A privacy policy is not just a piece of legal paperwork to tick a box. It is a clear, written commitment that explains how your business collects, stores, uses, and shares personal information. It also tells clients what rights they have, how they can access their information, and what they can do if they believe their privacy has been breached.

If you are collecting personal information in any form – whether through online booking systems, email, in-person forms, or phone calls – a privacy statement template is not optional. Australian privacy laws make it mandatory for most businesses, including health practitioners, to have a clear and accessible policy in place.

Why using the right privacy policy template Australia matters

Some small business owners believe they can copy a privacy policy they find online or adapt one from another business. The problem with this approach is that it may not meet the specific requirements of Australian law or be suitable for the health and wellness industry. You could unintentionally leave out essential details, which could expose your business to complaints or fines.

Other businesses create a privacy policy once but then never update it. If your services, systems, or technology change – for example, if you start offering telehealth or using a new booking platform – your privacy policy needs to be updated to reflect those changes. Likewise, if privacy laws change, your policy needs to reflect those changes in order for you to stay compliant.

The safest option is to use a privacy policy template specifically created for Australian health practitioners. This ensures you meet your legal obligations while also speaking directly to the unique needs of your industry.

What your privacy policy should include

If you are using a professional privacy policy template (which we recommend), it should be tailored to include these key elements:

Types of personal information you collect and hold

Be specific about the kinds of information you handle. For health practitioners, this usually includes client names, addresses, contact details, health records, treatment notes, billing information, and any relevant medical history. If you collect sensitive health data (ie health information) you need to make that clear.

How you collect personal information

Your policy should outline the ways you collect information – such as through website forms, phone calls, email, or in-person consultations. It should also note if you collect information from third parties, like other health professionals or insurers.

The purposes for collecting and using personal information

You need to clearly state why you collect this data. Common purposes for health and wellness businesses include providing treatment, managing bookings, processing payments, sending appointment reminders, and maintaining client records. If you use information for marketing purposes, you must say so and explain how clients can opt out.

Who you share personal information with

If you share client data with third parties – such as other health providers, pathology labs, payment processors, or booking software – this must be disclosed. You should also say if any personal information will be disclosed to overseas recipients and, if so, specify the countries.

How individuals can access and correct their personal information

Clients have the right to request access to their personal information and to have it corrected if it is inaccurate. Your privacy policy should explain how they can make these requests and how your business will respond.

How clients can make a complaint

Your privacy policy must describe how a client can make a complaint if they believe their privacy has been breached, and how your business will handle that complaint. This process should be clear, straightforward, and fair.

Whether you comply with GDPR for overseas clients

If you work with clients from the European Union or the UK, you will need to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in addition to Australian privacy laws. This involves extra requirements around consent, access, and security. A good privacy policy template should include GDPR clauses if relevant to your business.

The risks of not having a compliant privacy policy

Failing to have a proper privacy policy, or having one that is incomplete or outdated, can lead to serious consequences. Complaints to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner can result in investigations, reputational damage, and even financial penalties.

Beyond the legal risks, a weak or missing privacy policy can also harm your relationship with clients. In health and wellness, trust is everything. If clients feel their sensitive information is not being protected, they may choose to take their business elsewhere.

How a professional privacy policy template can save time and stress

Rather than starting from scratch, you can use a privacy policy template designed for health practitioners in Australia. This ensures you meet all legal requirements while also providing a clear, client-friendly explanation of your privacy practices.

At Legally Healthy, our Privacy Policy Template includes all the elements above, covering:

• The types of personal information you collect and hold
• How you collect personal information
• The purposes for which you collect, hold, use, and share personal information
• Who you share personal information with
• How individuals may access and correct their personal information
• How individuals can make a complaint and how you will handle it
• Whether you disclose information overseas and which countries are involved
• GDPR clauses for businesses working with EU or UK clients

This template is easy to customise, saving you hours of research and drafting time, while giving you the confidence that your business is legally protected.

Where to get your privacy policy template

If you are ready to put your privacy obligations in order, you can get our Privacy Policy Template here: https://legallyhealthy.com.au/shop/privacy-policy/

If you are unsure which legal template you need, we can help you choose the right one for your situation. Simply get in touch and we will guide you to the best option for your business.

Privacy is not something you can afford to ignore. With the right privacy policy template in place, you protect your clients, your business, and your professional reputation. It is one of the simplest and most important steps you can take to stay legally healthy.