Last Updated: February 2026
1. About This Policy
Well Ahead is committed to protecting the privacy of personal information we collect and hold about individuals.
Well Ahead complies with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW), and the ethical requirements of the Australian Counselling Association and Speech Pathology Australia’s Code of Ethics (2010).
This Privacy Policy explains how Well Ahead manages the personal information we collect, use and disclose. This includes having in place systems governing the appropriate collection, use, storage and disclosure of personal information, access to and correction of that information, and disposal of that information.
Well Ahead is a private counselling and speech pathology practice under the ownership of Amelia Bayliss.
By engaging our services or using our website, you consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
2. Definitions
‘Personal Information’ means information (or an opinion) we hold (whether written or not) from which a person’s identity is either clear or can reasonably be determined.
‘Sensitive information’ is a particular type of personal information, such as health, race, sexual orientation, or religious information. As a health service provider, most of the information we collect is sensitive health information.
3. Procedure
Ensuring Well Ahead Workers Understand Privacy & Confidentiality Requirements
- The Director of Well Ahead will review the Privacy Policy annually and ensure the responsibility to protect the privacy of individuals’ personal information is understood and upheld.
- All workers engaged in Well Ahead at any time will undergo training related to Privacy and Confidentiality requirements at induction and annually thereafter.
- All workers are required to comply with confidentiality obligations as a condition of engagement.
3.1 Well Ahead Legal Obligations
In order to provide you with the health care services that you have requested, Well Ahead will need to collect and use your personal information.
If you provide incomplete or inaccurate information to us or withhold relevant personal or health information, we may not be able to provide you with the services you are seeking.
3.2 What information does Well Ahead collect?
We will only collect the information reasonably necessary for the particular function or activity we are carrying out.
We collect information necessary to provide counselling and speech pathology services and to manage our relationship with you.
(a) Personal Information
This may include:
- Full name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Date of birth
- Address
- Emergency contact details
- Payment information
- Health information relevant to speech pathology or counselling services
- Appointment history and clinical notes
(b) Sensitive Information
In providing speech pathology and counselling services, we collect health information, including:
- Medical history
- Clinical notes
- Assessments and reports
- Treatment plans
- Referral information
- Progress notes
Sensitive information is collected only:
- With your consent;
- Where reasonably necessary to provide our services; or
- Where otherwise authorised or required by law.
We require this information to assist the counsellor or speech pathologist to support you. If you choose not to provide certain information, we may be unable to provide services to you.
Participant information is stored for seven years from the date of last discharge. In the case of participants aged under 18 years, information is kept until their 25th birthday or seven years post discharge (whichever is later), in accordance with legal and professional obligations.
3.3 How does Well Ahead collect health information?
We may collect information:
- Directly from you (in person, by phone, email, or online forms)
- When you book appointments online
- During consultations and assessments
- From third parties (e.g., parents/guardians, referring practitioners) with your consent
- Through our Website via cookies and analytics tools
- Through secure payment processing systems
We take reasonable steps to ensure you are aware of the purpose of collection at or before the time of collection.
3.4 How does Well Ahead use your information?
Well Ahead uses your personal information for the purpose for which you have given the information to us.
We will use your information to:
- Provide counselling and speech pathology services
- Manage our relationship with you
- Contact you in relation to matters concerning your care
- Maintain clinical records
- Issue invoices, process payments and manage billing
- Liaise with Medicare, NDIA, private health insurers or other relevant bodies
- Send appointment reminders via SMS or email
- Comply with legal and professional obligations
- Improve our services
- Send marketing communications, where consent has been provided.
We may also use your information for other purposes permitted under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) or Health Records legislation.
We will not use or disclose your sensitive information for secondary purposes without your consent unless authorised or required by law.
3.5 Who might we disclose your information to?
We may disclose your information to the following:
(a) Other health professionals involved in your treatment
Your personal information will generally only be used by the counsellor or speech pathologist involved in your care. However, with your consent, we may disclose your information to other health professionals involved in your care.
(b) The referrer
We may provide reports or discharge summaries to your referrer (e.g., GP or medical practitioner) where relevant to your care.
If you do not wish us to provide information to your referrer, please inform us.
(c) Administrative and service providers
We may disclose information where reasonably necessary for:
- Quality assurance, accreditation and audits
- Risk and claims management
- Staff training and supervision
- Billing and account management
- IT support and secure data storage
- Processing payments via Stripe
Some third-party service providers may store data on secure servers located outside Australia. Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to ensure that such providers handle personal information in accordance with Australian privacy laws.
(d) Government and funding bodies
We may disclose information to:
- Medicare
- NDIA
- Private health insurers
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs
where required to verify treatment or process claims.
(e) Required or authorised by law
We may disclose information without your consent where:
- There is a legal obligation to do so;
- There is a serious threat to life, health or safety;
- Mandatory reporting obligations apply;
- Records are subpoenaed or required by a court or tribunal.
(f) With your consent
With your express consent, we may use your information for purposes such as marketing communications or research participation. You may withdraw consent at any time.
3.6 Access to and correction of your health information
You have the right to request access to the personal and health information that we hold about you.
You may also request correction if you believe your information is inaccurate, incomplete or out-of-date.
If we do not agree to amend your record as requested, we will allow you to provide a written statement which will be attached to your record.
We may recover reasonable administrative costs associated with providing access where permitted by law.
3.7 Data Quality
Well Ahead will take reasonable steps to ensure that personal information we collect, use or disclose is accurate, complete and up-to-date.
3.8 Data Security
Well Ahead will take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.
We use technologies and processes such as:
- Secure practice management systems
- Access control procedures
- Password protection
- Network firewalls
- Encryption
- Physical security safeguards
- Staff confidentiality obligations
Well Ahead will destroy or permanently de-identify personal information when it is no longer required for the purpose for which it was collected, unless we are required by law to retain it. Despite these safeguards, no system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
3.9 Complaints about privacy issues
If:
(a) you have questions or comments about this Privacy Policy;
(b) Well Ahead does not agree to provide you with access to your personal information; or
(c) you have a complaint about our information handling practices,
You may contact us using the details below.
We will acknowledge your complaint and respond within a reasonable timeframe.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) or the NSW Privacy Commissioner.
4. Website Privacy
This section explains how we handle personal information collected through our website.
This Privacy Policy applies to your use of our website and any facilities on the website.
4.1 Collection
When you use our website, we do not attempt to identify you unless you choose to provide personal information to us.
We may collect personal information if you:
- Submit a general enquiry
- Complete an online referral or intake form
- Make a booking
- Send a written complaint or enquiry
When you access our Website, we may collect technical data including:
- IP address
- Device type
- Browser type
- Pages visited
- Usage patterns
We use cookies and similar technologies to improve Website functionality and user experience.
We use Google Analytics to analyse Website traffic and performance. Google Analytics may collect information and transmit it to servers located outside Australia. You can control cookies via your browser settings.
5. Payment Processing
Payment will be requested when making an online booking via our Website. This is processed securely through Stripe.
We do not store full credit card details on our systems. Stripe may collect and process payment information in accordance with its own privacy policy and may store data outside Australia.
6. Email Marketing
If you opt in to receive marketing communications, your name and email address may be stored with Flodesk, our email marketing provider.
You may withdraw consent at any time by:
- Clicking the unsubscribe link in our emails; or
- Contacting us directly.
Withdrawing consent does not affect prior lawful processing.
7. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may amend this Privacy Policy from time to time.
The current version will always be available on our Website and will include the updated “Last Updated” date.
Continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of any updated policy.
8. Contact Us
Well Ahead Therapy
Email: amelia@wellahead.com.au
Address: 31 Belmore Road, Randwick
Website: www.wellahead.com.au