Confidentiality
The Counselling Service observes the normal tenets of professional confidentiality and observes the requirements of the Privacy Act.
In addition, Curtin policy contains the following provisions:
1. Record Keeping
Each Service maintains records on all clients in keeping with normal standards of professional accountability.
These records are not accessible to any person outside the particular Service.
Information provided by clients is not transferred in part or whole to any other staff or student record within the University.
2. Release of Information
Information about a client may be released to parties outside a Service only with the explicit consent of the client.
Release of information will normally require a written consent to disclosure signed by the client. Verbal agreement may be accepted only when both client and staff member agree that the circumstances do not require the formality of a written agreement.
3. Limits of Confidentiality
Information may be disclosed without the consent of a client when:
- there exists a clear danger to the client or to others, or
- there exists a legal obligation to do so.
Legal obligation includes such circumstances as a court supoena, a valid search warrant, or such other legislated requirements as may be in force at any given time.
