At The Clinic Plastic Surgery, we value your privacy
At The Clinic Plastic Surgery, we are committed to protecting the privacy of patient information we collect and to handling your personal information in a responsible manner in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles, cyber security legislation and relevant state and territory privacy legislation (referred to as privacy legislation).
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use and disclose your personal information, how you may access that information and how you may seek the correction of any information. It also explains how you may make a complaint if you are concerned there has been a breach of privacy legislation.
From time to time we may make changes to our policy, processes and systems relating to how we handle your personal information. We will update this Privacy Policy to reflect any changes. Those changes will be available on our website and in the practice.
This Privacy Policy also addresses the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies within our practice.
When you first attend The Clinic Plastic Surgery, we will ask you to provide information (for example, contact details) and also ask you to confirm you consent to the collection of your information. This means that you are providing consent for the practitioners and staff to gather, access and use your personal health information to facilitate the delivery of healthcare to you. Your personal information will only be accessed by practitioners and staff who need to do so for the purpose providing healthcare to you.
We will seek your express consent before using your information for any purpose not directly related to your healthcare.
We collect personal and sensitive health information that is necessary for the provision of healthcare. This may include, but is not limited to: personal identifiers such as name, date of birth, address, and contact details, medical history, clinical notes, diagnostic test results, and treatment plans, medicare and private health insurance details, information generated or processed through AI-enabled tools used in clinical or administrative contexts.
We primarily collect information directly from patients. In certain circumstances, and with appropriate authority, we may also obtain information from third parties such as other treating practitioners, hospitals, or diagnostic service providers and the My Health Record. In limited situations, we may also collect information from other people, such as your relatives or friends.
CCTV footage: Collected from our premises for security and safety purposes.
Clinical images: From time to time, we may also take photographs or images with your consent
obtained at the time, including on a personal device.
Website use: When you visit our website, we collect information through Google Analytics and
Cloudflare. This information is not personal information as you are not identified or reasonably identifiable.
We may use or disclose your personal and health information for the following purposes:
We will communicate with or about you using the following methods – SMS/text messaging, email, secure messaging, encrypted messages. This may include your personal and health information.
We do not disclose personal information to overseas recipients unless it is necessary for the provision of care and appropriate safeguards are in place, in accordance with Australian Privacy Principle 8.
At The Clinic Plastic Surgery, we are committed to continuously improving the quality of our services and supporting clinical education. We may use your information in the following ways:
Quality Improvement and Staff Education
These processes help ensure we maintain high standards of care and safety.
Research
From time to time, we may participate in health research projects. If identifiable information is required, we
will seek your express consent before sharing your data. You may be contacted by a member of our team to discuss a
research opportunity, but you will never be contacted directly by researchers unless you have provided consent.
We will only provide identifiable information for research if the project has appropriate ethics approval and meets legal and privacy requirements.
De-identified Data Sharing
We may contribute de-identified health data to health improvement initiatives or registries. This data cannot
identify you and is stored securely. If you do not want your data included in these de-identified datasets, please
inform our reception staff.
Marketing
We will not use your personal information to market goods or services directly to you without your express
consent. If you do provide consent, you may opt out of receiving marketing communications at any time by notifying
us in writing or using the unsubscribe function.
The Clinic Plastic Surgery may use AI technologies to enhance clinical decision-making, streamline administrative processes, and improve patient engagement. Examples of AI applications include:
Governance of AI Use:
We use AI tools in a manner consistent with the APPs and relevant ethical standards.
It is important to note that:
The APPs provide for individuals to be dealt with anonymously or under a pseudonym, except where impracticable or where the law requires individuals to be identifiable. Please raise this with us if you wish to remain anonymous or use a pseudonym when interacting with our practice and we will consider your request. However, given the nature and requirements of providing healthcare, if impractical or required by law we will require you to be identifiable.
We will take reasonable steps to ensure your personal information is accurate, complete, up to date and relevant.
We implement robust technical and administrative measures to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss and unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. These measures include:
Information is retained in accordance with applicable legal and professional obligations. Information no longer required for the purposes it was collected and the minimum period for retention has passed, will be destroyed in a safe and responsible manner as required under privacy legislation.
You have the right to access your personal information. To request access or corrections, please contact our Privacy Officer in writing.
We will respond within 30 days. A small fee may apply to cover administrative costs.
We will respond to such requests in accordance with applicable privacy principles and legislation.
If you have any questions or concerns about how your personal information is handled or want to request access to
or correction of your information, please contact:
Practice Manager
The Clinic Plastic Surgery
Suite 30, Level 3
166 Gipps Street
East Melbourne
P: 03 8521 8888
E: enquiries@theclinic.com.au
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
(OAIC):
Website: www.oaic.gov.au
Phone: 1300 363 992
This document was updated on 8 November 2025.
We review this privacy policy at least annually, or when there are changes to operations, legislation, or relevant
technology.
Significant changes may be communicated to patients via email, in the practice, or on our website.
Your initial consultation begins with a private, no commitment conversation with your surgeon, Dr Julian Liew, in a relaxed and professional environment. Dr Liew will take the time to listen and understand your specific expectations and concerns pertaining to your procedure. Dr Liew will advise you on your suitability for your procedure, assisted by clinical photographs and other technically advanced tools. On completion of your consultation, you will have accurate and realistic information regarding your surgical options and potential results and have an understanding of their risks and benefits. This will allow you to confidently contemplate your important decision regarding your procedure. All surgical costs involved with your treatment and recovery will also be discussed with you during your consultation. You will have the opportunity to has all of your questions answered.
Dr Liew will discuss and design your personalised operative plan based on your individual concerns, goals and expectations. From your first contact with The Clinic Plastic Surgery, to your consultation, surgery and recovery, you can expect to be treated as a valued member of our Clinic Plastic Surgery Family. Every step of your surgical journey will be considered and optimised. Your Clinic Plastic Surgery Team will be informed and united in the delivery of your surgical result that has been designed by Dr Liew.
Your desired surgical outcome is the result of careful consultation, meticulous planning and precise surgical implementation. You will have confidence that your personally created surgical solution will be delivered through safety, skill and extraordinary care and attention to detail. The Clinic Plastic Surgery prides itself on treating patients like members of our own family. And we look forward to welcoming you into our Clinic Plastic Surgery Family.
Dr Julian Liew is a Specialist and Reconstructive Surgeon accredited by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Dr Liew is an experienced and respected plastic surgeon and only operates in Accredited Hospitals with Accredited Consultant Anaesthetists who are experts in their field.
Your procedure will be unique to you. We take the time to listen and understand your expectations and concerns to create your own personal surgical solution. You will have confidence that your personally created surgical solution will be delivered with skill, safety and extraordinary care and meticulous attention to detail.
The Team at The Clinic Plastic Surgery understand what it means to be a patient. We work tirelessly to treat all of our patients like members of our own family in a private, professional and supportive environment.
We remove the confusion from the costs of your procedure. Our prices are inclusive of everything necessary for your surgical journey. There are no “add-ons” at The Clinic Plastic Surgery.
