The Microbiome Clinic Pty Ltd (“The Microbiome Clinic”, “we”, “our”, “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and share your personal data when you use our website, purchase products, book consultations, or otherwise engage with our services.

By using our website, purchasing our products, or engaging our clinic, you agree to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following categories of personal information:

a. Identity and Contact Information

• Name, date of birth, email address, phone number, billing/shipping address, emergency contacts.
  

b. Health and Medical Information

• Information you provide during patient intake forms, telehealth bookings, or in consultation with our clinicians.
  
• Medical history, symptoms, diagnostic results, test reports (including from partner laboratories such as Nutripath).
  
• Prescriptions or supplement program details relevant to your treatment.
  

c. Transaction Information

• Records of consultations, microbiome test purchases, supplement program orders, and payment details (processed securely via third-party providers).
  

d. Technical and Usage Data

• Information automatically collected when you visit our website, including IP address, device type, browser details, cookies, pages viewed, referring URLs, and interaction with marketing pixels (Google, Meta, etc.).
  

e. Marketing and Communication Data

• Your communication preferences, responses to campaigns, survey feedback, and participation in events or online communities.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information collected for the following purposes:

• To provide healthcare services, including consultations, telehealth, test interpretation, and supplement programs.
  
• To process and deliver product and service orders, including shipping and customer support.
  
• To communicate with you about appointments, test results, program updates, and account information.
  
• To personalise your treatment and provide tailored health recommendations.
  
• To comply with professional medical obligations, Medicare and AHPRA regulations, and legal requirements.
  
• To operate, maintain, and improve our website, digital services, and marketing campaigns.
  
• To conduct internal analytics, clinical outcome tracking, and research to improve microbiome-based care.
  
• To send you marketing communications where you have consented, with the ability to opt-out at any time.
  
• To prevent fraud, enforce our Terms and Conditions, and ensure the security of our systems.

3. Sharing of Information

We may share your information with:

• Healthcare partners: Laboratories, pharmacies, and clinicians necessary for your treatment (with your consent).
  
• Service providers: Payment processors, couriers, IT platforms
  
• Analytics and marketing partners: For website optimisation, targeted advertising, and campaign measurement (e.g. Meta, Google).
  
• Regulatory and legal authorities: Where required under law (e.g. Medicare, AHPRA, OAIC, law enforcement).
  
• Corporate service providers: Auditors, insurers, professional advisers.
  

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to:

• Analyse traffic and performance.
  
• Remember preferences.
  
• Personalise your experience.
  
• Deliver targeted advertising.

You may adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies; however, some parts of the website may not function properly.

5. Security of Your Information

We take reasonable technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect your personal data, including:

• Encrypted storage of sensitive health information.
  
• Secure access controls and restricted staff access.
  
• Regular data backups and firewall protections.

Despite these precautions, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your data.

6. Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as reasonably necessary:

• Medical records: Retained in compliance with Australian healthcare legislation (generally 7 years, or longer for minors).
  
• Transaction data: Retained for accounting, tax, and legal purposes.
  
• Marketing data: Retained until you opt out or withdraw consent.

7. Your Rights

Under the Australian Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and relevant laws, you have the right to:

• Request access to the personal data we hold about you.
  
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
  
• Request deletion, subject to medical record-keeping laws.
  
• Opt-out of marketing communications at any time.
  
• Lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) if you believe your rights have been breached.

Requests can be made using the contact details below.

8. Children and Minors

We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 16 without parental or guardian consent. If you are under 16, you must have consent to use our services.

9. International Data Transfers

Some of our service providers (e.g., Shopify, Stripe, cloud hosting) are located outside Australia. Where your data is transferred internationally, we ensure it is safeguarded by contractual and security measures consistent with Australian law.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or services. Updates will be posted on this page with the “Last Updated” date amended accordingly.

11. Contact Us

For questions about this Privacy Policy, to exercise your privacy rights, or to make a complaint, please contact us at:

The Microbiome Clinic Pty Ltd
admin@themicrobiomeclinic.com.au