Mental Health Carers ARAFMI NSW Inc handles all personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Privacy Legislation Amendment Act, and the Privacy Amendment (Notifiable Data Breaches) Act 2017.

MHCN will:

• Only collect information that the organisation requires for its primary function;
• Ensure that members are informed as to why information is collected and how it will be administered;
• Use and disclose personal information only for primary functions, a directly related purpose, or for another purpose with the individual’s consent;
• Store personal information securely, whilst protecting it from unauthorised access;
• Ensure people can access their own information, with the right to seek correction.

MHCN will only collect information about you when you use MHCN services or come into contact with MHCN. Personal information is only collected to run the organization, provide services, or comply with the law. The kinds of information collected depends on how you interact with us. Here are some examples.

Information collected from you, but not limited to:

• If applying to the Mental Health Carers Advocacy Network membership. The information provided includes name, contact details, and other personal information such as ethnic origin, gender, and lived/living experience.
• If wanting to attend an education training course. The information provided will include name, contact details, organisation if relevant, and other personal information.
• If applying to be on a committee, focus or working group or program. The information provided will include name, contact details, any other personal information, and lived/living experience.
• If you are an emergency contact or referee for an employee, Board member, volunteer, member or student. This will include name, contact details, and the nature of the relationship with the individual.
• When engaging with MHCN directly. For example, in person and online events, via telephone, email, MHCN website, or social media. This information may include your name and contact details.
• Applying to work with MHCN. Details required will be name, address, contact details, information about your right to work, bank account, tax and superannuation information, employment history, qualifications, health information, lived/living experience and ability to perform the role.
• Giving feedback or a complaint. The information provided should include your name, contact details and feedback or details of a complaint.
• Attending an event, or activity. This may include confirmation of attendance or consent for use of photographs or quotes.

Please note – Any personal information about other people will be assumed that you have obtained consent from that person for this information to be passed onto MHCN. 

Information collected from other people can include:

• Professional background, qualifications and memberships, and references from any former employers if applying to work at MHCN. Screening check information such as background, medical, and criminal record check may also be obtained, where relevant.
• Name, professional background, and qualifications if assigned to MHCN from an agency.

The Privacy Act protects your sensitive information, such as information about your health. MHCN will only collect sensitive information if consent is given first, and it is reasonably necessary for, or directly related to one or more of the functions or activities of MHCN.

Information will be collected directly from you or from your representatives, and/or from a third party such as other organisations. If your personal information is collected by us from a third party, MHCN is under no obligation to inform you of the collection, but such information will be subject to this policy and will be accessible by you on request, subject to any limitations or exceptions in the Act.