Confidentiality and privacy for young people
Planning Australia are committed to protecting your right to privacy and confidentiality.
Right to privacy and confidentiality
At Family Planning Australia, we believe that all young people have the right to access reproductive and sexual health services that are respectful, confidential and non-judgemental.
In Australia it is your legal right to have what you say to a doctor, nurse and anyone working with them be kept private. This is called your right to privacy and confidentiality. This right is protected by law and also outlined in the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights, which Family Planning Australia uses to guide the way we support people.
This means that Family Planning Australia will keep your visit private. We won't tell anyone - like your parents or guardian, family, friends, partner, boss, school, or support service staff - unless you say it's okay. The only time we might have to share something is if someone is at risk of serious harm.
We take your right to privacy and confidentiality seriously and believe you should clearly understand your rights too. You can ask your doctor or nurse at the beginning of your visit:
“From what I tell you today, what can be kept private and what might need to be shared?”
Making decisions on your own or talking to your family
Everyone needs support to make health decisions sometimes. It can help to talk with your parents or another trusted adult, but we understand there might be things you'd rather keep private.
If you're 14 or older, you can usually make your own decisions about medical care if we believe you understand what's involved.
If you're under 18 and we don't think you can give informed consent, we might need to talk to a parent or guardian, depending on the type of care you need.
If you are concerned about involving a parent or guardian, we can talk through your options. We'll always listen to your wishes and won't talk to your family or involve anyone else unless you agree or we're worried about your safety.
Confidentiality exceptions - when your information might be shared
Your parent or guardian may have access to your information through Medicare and My Health Record, depending on your age.
There are also some specific situations where the law might allow or require Family Planning Australia to share your information with others. For example:
- If your doctor or nurse has concerns about the safety, welfare or wellbeing of you or others
- To help investigate a serious crime
- If there's a serious public health risk (like some infectious diseases) and it's needed to keep other people safe
Where possible, we will talk with you about our concerns, explain who might need to be informed, and work with you on a plan moving forward.
Medicare and My Health Record
Medicare is Australia's public health insurance that covers doctor visits, hospital care, tests, and medicines using your Medicare card. When Family Planning Australia bulk bills through Medicare, you don't pay. My Health Record is a secure online summary of your health, including medications, test results, and medical history, which you and your healthcare providers can access.
It can also be helpful to know that if you don't have Medicare and need to have a test done (like a blood or urine test), a bill might be posted to your address. If that's a concern, speak with your doctor or nurse. They'll talk you through the options and help you get the care you need.
You are under 14 years of age
If you're under 14, your parent or guardian manages your Medicare and My Health Record. This includes seeing your medical info, test results, and prescriptions. If you're under 14 and want to keep your health information private, speak with your doctor or nurse. They will discuss available options with you and help get the care you need.
To find out if you have a My Health Record and ask any other questions about it call the Helpline on 1800 723 471.
When you are 14 years of age
If you are 14 or older, you can manage your own Medicare and My Health Record. This means you can:
- Access your own Medicare and My Health Record information
- Decide who you want to share your health information with
- Set privacy controls on your My Health Record
- Choose to delete your My Health Record if you want to
When you turn 14, My Health Record automatically removes any parent or guardian who had access to your record, unless you choose to give them access again. Doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers involved in your care can still access your record to support your treatment. You can also cancel your My Health Record registration at any time.
Medicare records (like your past appointments and services) also stop being visible to your parent or guardian through their MyGov account.
In some situations, people can get their own Medicare card before they turn 15. For more information call Medicare on 13 20 11 or the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Access Line on 1800 556 955.
You are 15 years of age or older
From the age of 15 you can get your own Medicare card by:
- Using the myGov app, find out how here
- Calling Medicare on 13 20 11 or the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Line on 1800 556 955
- Visiting Services Australia
Actions to take if your right to privacy and confidentiality is not respected
When accessing any health service in Australia, including Family Planning Australia, you can take action if your rights are not respected.
It can be a good idea to first try resolve the problem directly with the health service. If you experience a problem at Family Planning Australia, call us on 1300 372 372 or email feedback@fpnsw.org.au
Read more about making a complaint or providing feedback here.
If you are not happy with how a health service handles a problem, you should call the Health Care Complaints Commission on 1800 043 159 (toll free in NSW).
