Privacy Policy

Horticultural Skills Australia is committed to the Privacy Act 1988 and the new National Privacy Principles, introduced in December 2001. We believe that people's privacy is important and have in place protocols and procedures that assist us in following government guidelines as well as legislation.

Horticultural Skills Australia may, from time to time, review and update this Privacy Policy to take into account new laws and technology, changes to the operations and practices of Horticultural Skills Australia, and to make sure it remains appropriate to the changing environment.

Information Collected

The type of information Horticultural Skills Australia collects and holds includes personal information, including sensitive information, about:

• Students and/or guardians before, during and after the duration of a student's enrolment

• Job applicants, staff members, volunteers and contractors

• Other people who come into contact with Horticultural Skills Australia

Personal Information

Horticultural Skills Australia will collect personal information held about an individual by way of forms filled out by students, face-to-face meetings and interviews, and telephone calls.

Exceptions

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 Horticultural Skills Australia’s treatment of an employee record, where the treatment is directly related to a current or former employment relationship between Horticultural Skills Australia and the employee.

Use of Personal Information

Horticultural Skills Australia will use personal information it collects 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 a person has consented.

Students

In relation to personal information of students, Horticultural Skills Australias primary purpose of collection is to enable HSA to provide training for the student. This includes satisfying the needs of the student throughout the whole period the student is enrolled.

The purposes for which Horticultural Skills Australia uses personal information of students include:

• Daily administration

• Satisfying HSA's legal obligations and allow HSA to discharge its duty of care

In some cases where Horticultural Skills Australia requests personal information about a student, if the information requested is not obtained, HSA may be unable to enrol or continue the enrolment of the student.

Marketing

Horticultural Skills Australia treats marketing for the future growth and development of HSA as an important part of ensuring that HSA continues to be a quality learning environment in which both students and staff thrive.
Parents, staff, contractors and other members of the wider community may from time to time receive publications, such as newsletters and magazines, which include personal information.

Disclosure of Personal Information

Horticultural Skills Australia may disclose personal information, including sensitive information, held about an individual to: another college, government departments, medical practitioners, people providing services to HSA - including specialist visiting educators, parents / guardians (if the student is under 18), anyone a parent / guardian or senior student authorizes in writing the disclosure of information to Sending Information Overseas.

Horticultural Skills Australia will not send personal information about an individual outside Australia without obtaining the consent of the individual.

Treatment of Sensitive Information

In referring to 'sensitive information', Horticultural Skills Australia 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 the person otherwise agrees, or the use or disclosure of the sensitive information is allowed by law.

Security of Personal Information

Horticultural Skills Australia's staff are required to respect the confidentiality of students and parents personal information and the privacy of individuals. Horticultural Skills Australia has in place steps to protect the personal information it holds from misuse, loss, unauthorized access, modification or disclosure by use of various methods including locked storage of paper records and password protected access rights to computerized records.

Updating Personal Information

Horticultural Skills Australia 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 by contacting Training Administration Manager at any time.

The National Privacy Principles require Horticultural Skills Australia to not store personal information longer than necessary.

Checking Personal Information

Under the Commonwealth Privacy Act, an individual has the right to obtain access to any personal information that HSA holds about them and to advise of any perceived inaccuracy. There are some exceptions to this right set out in the Act. Students will generally have access to their personal information through their parents, but older students may seek access themselves.

To make a request to access any information Horticultural Skills Australia holds about a student, please contact the General Manager in writing. Horticultural Skills Australia will require proof of identity and specifics on what information is required. HSA may charge a fee to cover the cost of verifying an application and locating, retrieving, reviewing and copying any material requested. If the information sought is extensive, HSA will advise the likely cost in advance.

Enquiries

Further clarification about the way Horticultural Skills Australia manages the personal information it holds, should be directed to the This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it