Privacy Policy

Introduction

St Aidan’s collects information about people to enable communication, promote the Gospel, pray, care, and provide other Christian services and inform people of our work. The Parish of St Aidan's Anglican Church Strathmore acknowledges and respects the privacy of individuals. We are committed to protecting the privacy of all people we engage with.

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We support and endorse the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Commonwealth Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act 2012 and will comply with these principles whenever we collect information (both personal and sensitive) as defined by the Act. This policy is consistent with the recommendations of the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne.

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What we may collect

Personal Information

The personal information that we collect relates only to the work we conduct as a church.  Examples of the information we may collect are:

• Your name

• Contact information, including address, phone and email details.

• Date of birth

• Family/Household connections

• Baptism, confirmation, reception, and marriage information

• Information concerning pastoral and care matters.

• Records of giving/donations.

• Notes of meetings, phone calls or pastoral visits.

• Information that must be collected to comply with safety and welfare legislation and policy, for example, Working with Children Cards or national Police Check results.

• Results of submitted survey questions or forms.

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Sensitive Information

Sensitive information will only be collected by consent unless it is required by law, or the collection is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the life or health of any other individual. Sensitive information includes information relating to health, racial or ethnic background, and accusations of abuse or neglect. Higher standards apply to the handling of sensitive information.

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Accuracy of Personal Information

We will take all reasonable steps to ensure the information we collect is accurate, complete, and up to date at the time of collection. If your circumstances change or if you have reason to believe our records are not accurate, complete, or up to date, be sure to get in touch with us immediately, and we will take all reasonable steps to amend the information under the above criteria or an alternative may be discussed with you.

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Availability to Parish Members

Your information is only available to parish members who require it to conduct their office or ministry.  This will include the Vicar and may include the Treasurer, Secretary, Wardens, or members engaged in Pastoral Care ministries.  It will not be made available to parish members who do not need it, nor will your information be made available publicly as a “parish directory. without your consent”

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We are, on occasion, required to submit personal information to the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne to comply with statistical, safety, or financial policies.  Your information is collected under the diocesan privacy policy when passed to the diocese.  This policy can be provided on request.

Personal or sensitive information will be disclosed to third parties when legally required to do so.  Third parties may include:

• Victoria Police

• Commission for Children and Young People

• Kooyoora Ltd (an independent complaints handling and screening provider to the diocese)

• Child and Family Services Victoria

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Storage

Where possible, St Aidan’s uses secure digital storage for personal information.  St Aidan’s employs the third-party storage and database services of Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and Wix.  All parish members who require access to your information through these services must use two-factor authentication as a minimum.

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Due to the relatively small size of our database, we cannot dictate the location of the data centres used to store your information securely.  This may result in your information being stored outside of Australia. 

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Transparency and Access

We adhere to the principles of openness and transparency.  Information on the parish's information handling practices and governance will be made available to anyone on request. 

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You may request access to the personal information that we hold about you. However, our discretion, duties and obligations under the Law may restrict your access. All reasonable actions will be taken to assist access or address any reasons to seek access. We will provide reasons under the law if access is denied. Individuals may apply to access the personal information held about them by application to the Vicar, Wardens, or Diocesan Registrar.

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Anonymity

Individuals are allowed to interact with the parish anonymously or under a pseudonym whenever it is lawful and practicable to do so.