Privacy Policy – Scope and Purpose
This Privacy Policy explains when and why we collect your personal and sensitive information, how we use, manage and protect it, and the limited circumstances in which we may disclose it to others. It also outlines how you can access or correct your information and how to make a privacy complaint.
Fostering Connections is a program of the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Inc. (ABN 24 629 376 672) (“we”, “us” or “our”). We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
This policy applies to personal and sensitive information we collect through the Fostering Connections website, including when you enquire about becoming a foster carer.
About this Privacy Policy
The purpose of this Privacy Policy is to explain:
- what personal and sensitive information we collect and hold;
- how we collect and hold that information;
- why we collect, use and disclose it;
- how you may access or correct your information;
- how you can make a privacy complaint; and
- how we manage your information in accordance with applicable privacy law.
We only collect personal and sensitive information that is reasonably necessary for our functions and activities.
Where practicable, you may choose to interact with us anonymously or using a pseudonym. However, for specific enquiries about foster care or where we need to respond to your request, we may require identifying information.
If you do not provide certain information, we may not be able to respond fully to your enquiry or facilitate referral.
The kinds of personal and sensitive information that we collect and hold
The types of personal information we collect and hold may vary depending on your interaction with us.
Information we collect may include:
- your name and contact details (such as email address and phone number);
- gender, date of birth, postcode and suburb;
- occupation and household structure;
- your preferences regarding referral to foster care services;
- your preferred method of communication; and
- other information you choose to provide to us to support your enquiry.
We may also collect sensitive information, including:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin; and
- cultural background.
We collect this information to support appropriate referral pathways, including culturally appropriate referrals where requested, and to better understand and respond to enquiries about foster care.
Sensitive information is subject to higher privacy protections and will generally only be collected with your consent.
Use of your personal and sensitive information – why do we collect, hold, use and disclose personal and sensitive information?
We collect, hold, use and disclose personal and sensitive information so that we can:
- respond to your enquiry about becoming a foster carer;
- communicate with you and provide relevant information;
- understand your needs, preferences and circumstances;
- support referral to an appropriate foster care agency;
- support culturally appropriate referral pathways, including to Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (where requested);
- improve foster care recruitment and engagement in Victoria;
- undertake reporting, research, service planning, quality improvement and program evaluation;
- maintain appropriate administrative records; and
- comply with legal, funding and contractual obligations.
Where possible, we use aggregated or de-identified information for reporting and evaluation activities.
Consent
By providing your personal or sensitive information to us, you consent to us collecting, using, storing and disclosing it for the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy.
Where required, we will seek your express consent, particularly for the collection of sensitive information. This may occur through:
- an online privacy collection notice and consent checkbox; or
- your direct engagement with us.
How we collect and hold your personal information
We collect personal information directly from you when you:
- complete an online enquiry form;
- contact us by phone, email or other communication channels;
- participate in surveys or provide feedback; or
- interact with us through our website or social media channels.
In some circumstances, we may receive information from a third party with your consent or where it is reasonable to do so (for example, where an enquiry is made on your behalf).
Protection from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access or modification
We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.
These steps may include:
- restricting access to authorised personnel;
- implementing secure systems and technologies; and
- maintaining internal policies and procedures for information handling.
While we take reasonable precautions, we cannot guarantee that information transmitted via the internet is completely secure.
Holding your personal information
We store personal information securely in systems used to manage enquiries and program operations.
We use a combination of physical, technical and administrative safeguards, which may include:
- secure IT systems and access controls;
- confidentiality requirements for staff and contractors; and
- secure storage of electronic and hard copy information.
Tracking information on this website
When you visit our website, we may collect non-identifying information such as:
- pages visited;
- date and time of visits;
- browser type and system information.
We may use cookies and analytics tools to understand website use and improve functionality. Cookies generally identify your browser rather than you personally.
You can adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies, however some website functions may be limited.
Who we may disclose personal information
We may disclose your personal information to:
- foster care agencies, so they can contact you about your enquiry;
- Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (where you request referral and one is available in your area);
- service providers who assist us with IT systems, data storage or administration;
- government or regulatory bodies where required or authorised by law; and
- professional advisers such as legal or audit services.
We only disclose information that is relevant and necessary for the purpose.
Destroying or de-identifying personal information
We will take reasonable steps to destroy or de-identify personal information once it is no longer required for the purposes outlined in this policy, unless we are required to retain it by law or for legitimate operational purposes.
Cross border disclosures
We do not disclose personal information to overseas recipients.
Where third-party service providers use cloud-based systems, information is stored within Australia.
Contacting you and direct marketing
We may contact you in response to your enquiry or to provide relevant information about foster care.
We may also contact you to seek feedback or provide updates about our services where appropriate. We do not use your personal information for unrelated marketing purposes.
Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme
We comply with the Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme.
If a data breach occurs that is likely to result in serious harm, we will:
- investigate and contain the breach; and
- notify affected individuals and the relevant regulator where required.
How you may access your personal information held by us
You may request access to personal information we hold about you by contacting us.
We will respond within a reasonable timeframe and provide access where permitted by law.
Correcting information where it is incorrect
If you believe information we hold about you is incorrect, incomplete or out of date, please contact us so that we can take reasonable steps to correct it.
Updating your personal information
You may request that your personal information be updated or deleted by contacting us.
How you may make a complaint about the way we handle, use and manage personal information, and how we will deal with privacy related complaints
If you wish to make a complaint about our handling, use or management of personal information, you should provide the details of the complaint to us by:
Mail:
The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare
Level 5, 50 Market Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Australia
Attention: Privacy Officer
Telephone: 03 9614 1577
Email: fcenquries@cfecfw.org.au
We ask that you provide as much information as possible about your complaint so that we can understand and respond to it, including:
- what happened, when and how it came to your attention; and
- refer to specific breaches of one or more of the Australian Privacy Principles; and
- outline the outcome you seek.
We will contact you within 20 working days to advise you of our response to your complaint. We will work with the appropriate regulatory authorities, to resolve any complaints regarding your personal information that we cannot resolve with you directly.
If the complaint is not resolved, it may be referred to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (the ‘OAIC’). The contact details for the OAIC are:
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
GPO Box 2999
Canberra ACT 2601
Australia
Telephone: 1300 363 992
Fax: 02 9284 9666
Website: www.oaic.gov.au
Inquiries or comments
We welcome any inquiry or comment in relation to the practice, procedures or systems that we have in place to protect your personal information. Please contact us if you wish to discuss any such matters via email fcenquiry@cfecfw.org.au
Links to other websites
Our website may also contain links to other websites. While these links are provided for convenience, if you are navigating to these sites please be aware that the information handling practices of the linked websites may differ from ours. While we try to link only to sites that share our high standards and respect for privacy, we are not unable to guarantee the privacy practices of other websites.
This privacy notice does not cover the links within this website linking to other websites. Those sites are not governed by this Privacy Policy. If you have questions about how a site uses your information, you will need to check that site’s privacy statement.
Contact details
Mail:
The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare
Level 5, 50 Market Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Australia
Attention: Privacy Officer
Telephone: (+61) 3 9614 1577
Email: fcenquiry@cfecfw.org.au
This policy will be kept up to date and published on this website. We may change this policy from time to time by updating this page.
Your continued use of our website, requesting or continued use of our services or the provision of your further personal information after this Privacy Policy has been revised will be your deemed acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.
This policy is effective from June 2026.
Copyright and trademarks
This website and its contents, including downloadable documents and materials, are subject to copyright owned by the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Inc. (ABN 24 629 376 672), unless otherwise stated.
You may view this website and access its content for personal, non-commercial use. Except as permitted by law, you must not reproduce, modify, distribute, transmit, republish, display or otherwise use any part of this website without prior written permission.
This website may also contain registered and unregistered trademarks. Except as expressly authorised, the use of those trademarks is prohibited.