Privacy Policy

I recognise the importance of ensuring that personal information held by my celebrancy service is treated confidentially, and I am committed to ensuring that all personal information is only collected, disclosed, used and stored in accordance with the National Privacy Principles set out under the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act 2012 which amends the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles. 

In accordance with Section 5 of the Marriage Celebrant Code of Conduct (Attorney Generals’ Dept.) I am required to

(b)   respect the privacy and confidentiality of the parties, including by:

      (i)    arranging for appropriate facilities to interview parties; and

      (ii)   dealing appropriately with personal documents and personal information; and

      (iii)   maintaining appropriate facilities for the secure storage of records; and

      (iv)   ensuring the return of all personal documents belonging to the parties as soon as practicable (unless it is necessary to keep the documents for the ceremony);

In relation to the collection, storage and use of personal information, I shall only collect information that is reasonably necessary for the proper performance of my professional activities or functions as a celebrant. I shall not collect personal information just because I think it could be useful at some future stage if I have no present need for it.

It will be me who collects any personal and sensitive information in relation to my celebrancy services and I shall undertake not to make any unauthorised disclosure of confidential information with which I may come into contact in my role as a celebrant. Personal information that I shall collect and hold is information that is necessary for the proper performance of my responsibilities as a celebrant and will likely differ from person to person.

Personal information is any information about the client and may range from “very sensitive” to “routine”. Sensitive information is a special category of personal information. Sensitive information may be conveyed to me by the Clients during the planning discussions, however the type of information listed below is not required to be disclosed to the Celebrant. It is information about a person’s:

  • Racial or ethnic origin
  • Political opinion
  • Philosophical beliefs
  • Religious beliefs or associations
  • Sexuality
  • Criminal record
  • Health or disability.

In accordance with the Code of Practice I shall take a range of measures to protect personal information from:

  • Misuse, interference and loss
  • Unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.

All personal and sensitive information collected will be treated as “Confidential” and no unauthorised person will be permitted to have access to it.

Hard copy documents containing such information will be held in files situated in a secure location within my office, negating the possibility of casual access by unauthorised persons.

Any electronic data I shall hold will be kept in secured and controlled databases with appropriate protection against viruses or other unauthorised access. The relevant computers and associated equipment will be protected in the same manner as the hard copy files. 

I take seriously the security of personal information and I shall put in place a range of measures to ensure this information is protected, including:

  • Firewalls and access logging tools that protect against unauthorised access to personal and sensitive data
  • A secure work environment that prevents unauthorised access to and copy of personal information
  • Virus scanning tools
  • Management of access privileges, including password protection, to ensure that only I can view personal information
  • Disposal of personal information through secure processes.

When I collect personal information, I shall:

  • check that it is reasonably necessary for my functions or activities as a celebrant
  • check that it is current, complete and accurate
  • record and hold the information in my information record system
  • retrieve relevant information when I need to use or disclose as part of my responsibilities as a celebrant
  • permit people to access their personal information in accordance with APP:12 of the Australian Privacy Principles (available through the website of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner)
  • correct or attach associated statements to personal information in accordance with APP:13 of the Australian Privacy Principles
  • destroy or de-identify personal information when it is no longer needed for any purpose, for which it may be used or disclosed, provided that it is lawful for me to do so.