The University of Newcastle is committed to the protection of your personal information.
You will need to provide personal information when applying for financial assistance, or talking to a member of the Financial Wellbeing team. This may be in person, on the telephone or online, or when completing application documentation.
The University of Newcastle Financial Wellbeing Service (“UoN FW”) will not discuss your personal information with any persons outside of the UoN FW team, except in the following situations:
When you have provided your consent.
Where the University of Newcastle has a legal obligation to do so.
Where it is necessary to manage the risk of an immediate threat of harm to an identifiable person or persons, including yourself, that can be averted only by disclosing information.
When UoN FW staff are consulting, or in the course of supervision or professional training (in this instance your identity and the identity of other parties involved will be concealed).
Personal information you provide to us may be collected, stored, used and disseminated by the University, for the purpose of assisting in the University's delivery of, and research in respect of, student wellbeing services. Your identity, and the identity of any parties involved, will be concealed to protect your privacy.
The University of Newcastle abides by the
Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act (NSW) 1998, the
Health Records and Information Privacy Act (NSW) 2002as set out in the
University’sPrivacy Management Planin the collection, storage, access, use and disclosure of your personal and health information.
ONLINE AND TELEPHONE COUNSELLING
The UoN Financial Wellbeing service offers financial counselling appointments in person, via phone or online. Our online appointments are offered using the digital platform,Zoom.
Zoom is a free, high quality video conferencing program, which allow users to see and hear each other using a computer or handheld device that is equipped with a camera and a microphone. The University has adopted encryption processes, and each Zoom meeting is password protected to reduce the risk of access by parties other than those who have been invited and to prevent potential electronic eavesdropping.
For beneficial phone or online appointments, you will need access to a quiet and private area away from distractions and the risk of your conversation being overheard.
For online appointments, use an appropriate device with a camera, microphone and speakers, and a reliable internet service.
LIMITATIONS OF SERVICES
Whilst the University takes all reasonable steps to ensure security in providing our services, due to reasons outside our control, UoN cannot guarantee the privacy or security of session content or communication conducted via online services (including telephone services).
There is potential that videoconferencing sessions or phone calls could be intercepted by others and communicating via these mediums cannot be guaranteed 100% secure. To ensure up to date security protocols, we recommend you use a current version of Zoom and ensure your computer or other electronic device is subject to appropriate password security and up-to-date anti-virus software. Where possible, do not use public wi-fi as this is not a secure service.
In consenting to using the online services, you acknowledge these risks and consent to proceed on this basis.
CONFIRMATION OF INFORMED CONSENT
By engaging in an online appointment with a Financial Wellbeing Advisor, I agree to the following:
To engage in sessions only from a private location where I will not be overheard or interrupted.
To attempt to connect via a private internet connection (i.e. not a public Wi-Fi)
To ensure that the computer or device I use has updated operating and anti-virus software.
I will not record any sessions, nor will the counsellor record sessions, without obtaining prior written consent.
