Privacy Policy
Last updated: 14 September 2026
1. Who we are
Galah Speech Pathology Pty Ltd (ABN: 16 157 487 603) (Galah Speech Pathology, we, us or our) provides speech pathology services, Allied Health Assistant supports, training, workshops, supervision, mentoring, consultation and tailored communication resources.
As a provider of health services that collects and holds health information, Galah Speech Pathology is bound by the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act), regardless of annual turnover, and applicable state and territory legislation.
2. What information we collect
Galah Speech Pathology may collect personal, sensitive and health information that is reasonably necessary to respond to enquiries, provide services, complete administration, meet legal and professional obligations, and operate the business. This may include:
name, date of birth and contact details
parent, guardian, carer or representative details
address, location and service area
NDIS information, funding details and plan information
Medicare, private funding or payment-related information where relevant
health, disability, developmental, communication, feeding, swallowing or therapy-related information
school, childcare, workplace or community participation information
reports, referrals, assessments, therapy notes and progress information
information shared by family members, educators, support workers, allied health professionals, medical professionals or other relevant stakeholders
photographs, videos or audio recordings where consent has been provided
information provided through website forms, Splose forms, email, phone, telehealth, social media messages or training/resource enquiries
billing, invoicing and payment information
name, email address, role (for example, parent, educator or allied health professional) and marketing or newsletter preferences where you choose to subscribe to our mailing list, or where you sign up for a free tool, game or resource (such as our Footy Sounds game or communication board resources)
We only collect information that is reasonably necessary for our services, communication, administration, legal obligations and business operations. If you choose not to provide requested information, we may not be able to respond to your enquiry, assess suitability for a service, or provide some or all of our services to you.
3. How we collect information
Galah Speech Pathology may collect information directly from you or from your authorised representative. This may happen when you:
complete an enquiry form
complete a Splose form
email, call or message us
communicate through our website, including by using a website form or QR code to sign up for a free tool, game or resource
contact us through social media
participate in therapy, assessment, consultation, training, supervision or mentoring
attend a telehealth appointment or online meeting
provide reports, forms, plans or other documents
give consent for another person or organisation to share information with us
We may also collect information from third parties where this is relevant and appropriate, such as:
parents, guardians, carers or family members
support coordinators or plan managers
educators, schools or early childhood settings
support workers or disability organisations
allied health or medical professionals
NDIS representatives or other relevant service providers
4. Why we collect, hold, use and disclose information
Galah Speech Pathology collects, holds, uses and discloses information for purposes including:
responding to enquiries
determining service suitability and availability
providing speech pathology services
providing Allied Health Assistant supports under speech pathology supervision
completing assessments, therapy planning and therapy documentation
developing reports, recommendations, programs and resources
providing training, workshops, consultation, supervision or mentoring
creating tailored communication resources
communicating with families, teams, organisations and relevant stakeholders
invoicing, accounting and payment administration
meeting legal, professional, ethical, insurance and record-keeping obligations
improving services and business systems
sending newsletters, updates or resources where you have opted in
5. Health and sensitive information
Health information is "sensitive information" under the Privacy Act and receives a higher level of protection.
Galah Speech Pathology only collects health and sensitive information where it is reasonably necessary for our work and where you have given consent, or where collection is otherwise permitted or required by law — for example, where necessary to provide a health service to you and the information is collected in accordance with the professional confidentiality obligations that apply to our staff, or where necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to life, health or safety.
This may include information about communication, speech, language, literacy, disability, development, feeding, swallowing, medical history, therapy goals, support needs and participation in home, school, work or community settings.
6. Use and disclosure of information
Galah Speech Pathology may use and disclose personal information for the purpose it was collected, or for another related purpose you would reasonably expect. Because health and sensitive information receives extra protection under the Privacy Act, we will only use or disclose it for a secondary purpose that is directly related to the purpose for which it was collected, or where you have consented, or an exception under the Privacy Act applies.
With your consent, information may be shared with relevant people involved in your (or your child’s) care, support, education or service delivery. This may include:
parents, guardians, carers or family members
support coordinators and plan managers
NDIS representatives
schools, teachers, education assistants or early childhood educators
support workers or disability organisations
allied health professionals
medical professionals
other service providers involved in the person’s care or support
Information will only be shared where relevant and appropriate. We may also disclose information where required or authorised by law, including where necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to health, safety or wellbeing, or in response to a lawful request from a court, tribunal, regulator or law enforcement body.
We do not sell personal information to third parties.
7. Consent to share information
Where appropriate, Galah Speech Pathology will ask for consent before sharing personal, sensitive or health information with other people or organisations. Consent may be provided through service agreements, consent forms, email, verbal discussion, written communication or other agreed processes. Where consent is provided verbally, a record will be made in the client’s file.
You may let us know if there are specific people or organisations you do not consent for us to contact or share information with.
8. Direct marketing
Galah Speech Pathology may send newsletters, updates, resources or marketing emails where you have subscribed or opted in. You can unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe link in the email or by contacting us directly. We will not use your health or other sensitive information to send you direct marketing without your express consent, and our marketing communications are sent consistently with the Spam Act 2003 (Cth). We do not sell personal information to third parties.
9. Photography, video and audio recordings
Galah Speech Pathology may take photographs, videos or audio recordings during therapy, training or related activities where consent has been provided. These may be used for:
clinical purposes, such as assessment, progress monitoring, therapy planning or supervision
resource development
training or professional education, where appropriate
marketing or promotional purposes, only where specific consent has been provided
You may withdraw consent for photography, video or audio recordings at any time by notifying Galah Speech Pathology in writing. Withdrawal of consent applies to future use. Where materials have already been published or shared, we will take reasonable steps to remove them where practicable.
10. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools
Galah Speech Pathology may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to support administration, clinical documentation, therapy planning, resource development, supervision, mentoring, training, content creation and service improvement. This may include tools such as Heidi, Claude or similar platforms.
AI tools may assist with tasks such as:
drafting or summarising notes
preparing resources
planning sessions
developing training materials
reflecting on clinical practice
improving administrative efficiency
creating content or general educational information
AI tools do not replace clinical judgement, professional responsibility or individualised assessment. Any clinical recommendations, therapy plans, reports, resources or decisions remain the responsibility of Galah Speech Pathology and are reviewed by an appropriate clinician before use — no decision that could significantly affect your rights or interests is made by an AI tool without meaningful human review.
Where AI tools are used, Galah Speech Pathology takes reasonable steps to protect personal, sensitive and health information, including removing or changing identifying details, limiting the amount of information shared, using de-identified information where possible, and only using identifiable information where reasonably necessary, appropriate and consistent with privacy obligations and consent. Galah Speech Pathology does not enter identifiable health information into general AI tools such as Claude unless appropriate safeguards, consent and privacy considerations are in place, and takes reasonable steps to prevent inadvertent disclosure of identifiable information to such tools. Heidi may be used as an AI-assisted clinical documentation tool, such as to assist with note-taking, summarising appointments or drafting clinical documentation.
If you have questions or concerns about the use of AI tools, or wish to opt out of AI-assisted processes where practicable, please contact us using the details in clause 1.
11. Digital systems and third-party platforms
Galah Speech Pathology uses digital systems to manage enquiries, clinical information, business records, communication, invoicing and administration, including:
Splose for practice management, online forms, client records, progress notes, clinical documentation and service information
Microsoft 365, Outlook, OneDrive and SharePoint for email, business documents, file storage and internal communication
Squarespace for website hosting, and for enquiry, referral and free resource sign-up forms submitted through the website
Instagram and Facebook messages for initial enquiries, with people redirected to formal enquiry channels where appropriate
Google Drive where needed for limited file sharing or collaboration, but not as the primary clinical record system
Microsoft Teams, Google Meet or Zoom for telehealth, online meetings, training or consultation
Xero for invoicing, accounting and payment-related information
MailerLite or another email marketing platform where you choose to subscribe to newsletters, updates or online resources
Heidi, Claude or similar AI-assisted tools where appropriate
other secure platforms where reasonably required to provide services, training, resources, communication or administration
Where third-party platforms are used, information may be stored or processed by those providers in accordance with their own privacy and security practices. Galah Speech Pathology takes reasonable steps to select reputable systems that are appropriate for the type of information being collected, stored or shared, and to satisfy itself that those providers handle personal information in a manner consistent with the Australian Privacy Principles.
12. Social media enquiries
Galah Speech Pathology may receive initial enquiries through Instagram or Facebook. Social media platforms are not suitable for sharing detailed health, clinical or sensitive information. Where appropriate, we will redirect enquiries to our website form, Splose form, email or another formal communication channel. Please avoid sending detailed health information, reports, images or sensitive information through social media messages unless specifically requested.
13. Telehealth and online meetings
Galah Speech Pathology may provide services, consultation, training, supervision or mentoring through telehealth or online meeting platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Google Meet or Zoom. Telehealth may involve the sharing of personal, health or sensitive information through video, audio, screen sharing, chat or file sharing. We take reasonable steps to use telehealth in a way that protects privacy and confidentiality. You are responsible for choosing a private and appropriate location for your own participation where possible.
14. Overseas disclosure of information
Some of the digital platforms used by Galah Speech Pathology may store or process information on servers located outside Australia, including in the United States and other countries where our platform providers operate data centres.
Before disclosing personal information overseas, Galah Speech Pathology takes reasonable steps to select reputable providers and to ensure that overseas recipients handle personal information consistently with the Australian Privacy Principles, except where an exception under the Privacy Act applies (for example, where you have consented after being expressly told that a recipient may not be subject to equivalent privacy protections, or where the overseas recipient is itself subject to a law that has the effect of protecting the information in a way that is substantially similar to the APPs).
15. Storage and security
Galah Speech Pathology takes reasonable steps to protect personal, sensitive and health information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. This may include:
using secure digital systems
password protection and multi-factor authentication where available
limiting access to information to team members or providers who need it
storing clinical records in appropriate practice management systems
using secure email, file storage and administrative systems
maintaining professional confidentiality expectations with team members and contractors
reviewing systems and processes where needed
No digital system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. However, Galah Speech Pathology takes reasonable steps to protect the information it holds.
16. Accessing or correcting your information
You may request access to personal or health information that Galah Speech Pathology holds about you, and may ask us to correct information you believe is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date. To request access or correction, please contact us using the details in clause 1.
We may need to verify your identity before providing access or making changes, and we will respond as soon as practicable and, in any event, within a reasonable period (we aim for 30 days). In some circumstances, access may be refused or limited where permitted by law, and we will explain our reasons if we do so. A reasonable administrative fee may apply to providing access, but not to making a request or to correcting information.
17. Retention and destruction of records
Galah Speech Pathology keeps records for as long as required to meet legal, professional, ethical, insurance and business obligations. The length of time records are kept may depend on the type of information, the age of the client, funding requirements, professional obligations and applicable laws. For example, health records relating to children are generally retained until the individual reaches at least 25 years of age, and other health records are generally retained for at least 7 years from the date of the last entry, or as otherwise required by applicable law or professional standards.
When information is no longer required, Galah Speech Pathology will take reasonable steps to securely delete, destroy or de-identify it where appropriate.
18. Data breaches
If Galah Speech Pathology becomes aware of a data breach that is likely to result in serious harm to an individual whose personal information is involved (an eligible data breach under the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme in Part IIIC of the Privacy Act), we will take reasonable steps to contain, assess and respond to the breach, and will notify affected individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) as required by law.
19. Children and young people
Many of Galah Speech Pathology’s clients are children. Where a client is a child or otherwise unable to provide their own consent, we will generally collect personal, sensitive and health information from, and provide information and seek consent from, a parent, guardian or other authorised representative, while involving the child appropriately having regard to their age and capacity to understand what is proposed.
20. Our website
When you visit our website
When you visit our website, we may collect certain information such as browser type, operating system, and the website visited immediately before coming to our site. This information is used in an aggregated manner to analyse how people use our site, so that we can improve it.
Cookies
We may use cookies on our website to help analyse website traffic and improve visitor experience. Cookies are small files used to identify you when you return to the site and to store details about your use of the site; they are not malicious programs and do not damage your device. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can choose to reject cookies by changing your browser settings, which may affect your experience of the website.
Third-party sites
Our website may from time to time contain links to other websites not owned or controlled by us. These links are provided for your convenience only and do not constitute sponsorship, endorsement or approval of those websites. Galah Speech Pathology is not responsible for the privacy practices of other websites, and we encourage you to review the privacy policy of any website you visit.
21. Complaints
If you have concerns about how your personal, sensitive or health information has been handled, please contact us first so we can try to resolve the issue, by email to jasmeet@galahsp.com.au.
We take complaints seriously and will acknowledge your complaint promptly and aim to respond substantively within a reasonable period (we aim for 30 days). If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au or on 1300 363 992.
22. Changes to this Privacy Policy
Galah Speech Pathology may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will be available on our website with the date of the most recent update. Where changes are material, we will take reasonable steps to notify affected individuals. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
23. Contact us
Galah Speech Pathology
Email: jasmeet@galahsp.com.au