1. Introduction

The Foster Care Association of Western Australia (Inc) ("FCA WA", "we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy of individuals who interact with us, including foster carers, prospective carers, children, families, staff, volunteers, and website visitors.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose, and protect personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), as well as relevant Western Australian legislation.

By accessing our website at www.fcawa.com.au or engaging with our services, you acknowledge and consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

2. About FCA WA

FCA WA is a not-for-profit, incorporated association providing support, advocacy, and information services to foster carers and prospective foster carers across Western Australia. Our services include:

• Phone and in-person support for foster carers
• Advocacy and representation at agency and government meetings
• Access to resources, literature, and educational materials
• Coordination of social activities and events
• Liaison with government departments and community service organisations

3. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal information:

3.1 Contact and Identity Information

• Full name, address, phone number, and email address
• Date of birth (where relevant to service delivery)
• Emergency contact details

3.2 Membership and Carer Information

• Membership registration details and history
• Foster carer status and agency affiliation
• Information provided when seeking advocacy, support, or referrals
• Records of interactions with FCA WA staff

3.3 Sensitive Information

In the course of providing advocacy and support services, we may collect sensitive information including health information, cultural background, or family circumstances. We will only collect sensitive information where it is directly relevant to the support you have requested, and with your explicit consent.

3.4 Website Usage Information

• IP address and browser type
• Pages visited and time spent on site
• Referring website or search terms
• Device type and operating system

4. How We Collect Information

We collect personal information in the following ways:

• Directly from you when you contact us by phone, email, or in person
• When you complete membership registration or enquiry forms on our website
• When you request support, advocacy, or referral services
• Through attendance at FCA WA events or activities
• Automatically through cookies and analytics tools when you browse our website
• From third parties such as government agencies or community service organisations, where you have authorised this

5. How We Use Your Information

We use personal information to:

• Deliver support, advocacy, and information services to foster carers
• Manage membership registrations and communications
• Respond to enquiries and requests for assistance
• Coordinate attendance at meetings, events, and social activities
• Liaise with government departments or agencies on your behalf (with consent)
• Improve our website, services, and programs
• Send newsletters, updates, and relevant resources (where you have opted in)
• Meet our legal and reporting obligations

6. Disclosure of Personal Information

FCA WA does not sell, rent, or trade personal information to third parties. We may disclose your information to:

• Government departments or agencies (e.g. the Department of Communities) where you have requested our representation or support
• Community service organisations relevant to your case or enquiry
• Service providers who assist us with website hosting, IT, or communications (bound by confidentiality obligations)
• Legal or regulatory authorities where required by law

We will seek your consent before disclosing personal or sensitive information to third parties, except where disclosure is required by law or is necessary to protect the safety of a child or individual.

7. Information Relating to Children

Given the nature of our work, FCA WA may handle information that indirectly relates to children in foster care. We treat all such information with the highest standard of care, discretion, and confidentiality. We do not collect personal information directly from children through our website. Any information relating to children is handled strictly in accordance with relevant child protection legislation and our duty-of-care obligations.

8. Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to improve your browsing experience and help us understand how our site is used. We may use the following types of cookies:

• Essential cookies: Required for the website to function correctly
• Analytics cookies: Help us understand visitor behaviour (e.g. Google Analytics)
• Functional cookies: Remember your preferences for a better experience

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website.

9. Data Storage and Security

FCA WA takes reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. Our security measures include:

• Restricted access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Secure storage of physical and digital records
• Password protection and access controls for digital systems
• Regular review of our information security practices

While we take all reasonable precautions, no data transmission over the internet is entirely secure. We cannot guarantee the absolute security of information transmitted to us online.

10. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law. When personal information is no longer needed, we take reasonable steps to destroy or de-identify it securely.

11. Your Rights

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

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate, incomplete, or out-of-date information
• Request that we delete your information (subject to legal obligations)
• Withdraw consent to receiving marketing communications at any time
• Make a complaint about how we handle your personal information

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details in Section 13 below. We will respond to requests within 30 days.

12. Third Party Websites

Our website may contain links to external websites operated by third parties, including government agencies and community organisations. FCA WA is not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints about this Privacy Policy or the way we handle your personal information, please contact us:

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):

14. Changes to This Policy

FCA WA may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal obligations. The current version will always be published on our website at www.fcawa.com.au. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.