HESTA respects your privacy.

Protecting your personal information has always been important to HESTA and is required by law. HESTA handles your personal information in accordance with the provisions of the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988 and a set of National Privacy Principles.

HESTA only collects information that is necessary to administer your account membership. By this we mean managing your account and keeping you up to date with opportunities available to you as a Fund member.

HESTA has appointed a fund administrator, along with a life insurer and other organisations to provide services to you on our behalf. They are authorised to use your personal information only to administer your fund membership, under the strictest confidence. HESTA also uses the services of an independent research company to undertake customer satisfaction surveys to help us continually improve the services that we offer you.

Your personal information will not be used or disclosed for any other purpose without your consent, except where allowed or required by law. For example, HESTA's fund administrator is required to report certain information to the Australian Taxation Office for tax related purposes.

The personal information collected by HESTA from you, or through your employer, includes your contact details, date of birth, Tax File Number (if you have chosen to quote it) and, if applicable, relevant health information. Over time, this will be supplemented with financial and other information necessary to administer your fund membership. Without this information HESTA will be unable to properly administer your account.

Additional information may be collected from you, from medical practitioners or from your employer for the purpose of assessing your eligibility for insurance cover or for the assessment of a claim. We would only seek such information with your consent. In these circumstances both your personal and health information may be disclosed to third parties including: the Fund's administrator, insurer, medical assessors, or in the case of a dispute about the provision or application of cover, legal advisers, health practitioners, the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal and the courts. Disclosure to these organisations is solely for the purpose of determining an insurance application or claim. Without your consent to the collection, use and disclosure of this health information we will not be able to process your insurance application or assess your claim. In the event that you wish to have another party act on your behalf and receive information, such authorisation will be required in writing.

Our insurer may disclose your personal information to other parties such as re-insurers, claims investigators, medical practitioners, medical services or other organisations providing services in the collection, collation, or assessment of personal information (including health information) and other relevant professionals where you apply for additional insurance cover, and organisations undertaking compliance reviews of the accuracy or completeness of the insurer’s information, each of whom may in turn disclose information about you back to us or as permitted or required by law.

The type of information we receive from you on our web site depends on what you do when visiting the site. If you send us an email message requesting information, we will use your email address and other information you supply to respond to your request. If you choose to receive any of our updates via email we will only use the details you have provided for the service you have choosen. You are able to unsubscribe at any time. Your personal information will be retained only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purpose for which the information was collected, or as required by law. HESTA also uses cookies to assist you in accessing information on our web site. Cookies are a way of storing data on your computer so you don't have to enter the same information every time you visit our web site. We use permanent cookies so that you can personalise the site to meet your own needs. For example, you can customise which industry you prefer in the member and employer Supporting Your Industry sections. However, you can remove this feature or change the industry by selecting 'remove' from the customise box. We do not store any of your personal information when we do this. If you have any concerns about cookies, you should be able to adjust your computer settings so they will not be accepted or set your computer to prompt you each time a cookie is about to be stored.

HESTA has strict security measures in place, and the staff who handle your personal information have the knowledge, skills and commitment to protect it from unauthorised access or misuse.

As a member of HESTA, you may ask to see the information we hold about you and to have it corrected if required.

To enquire about the personal information we hold about you and how it is handled, or to request access to it please call 1800 813 327.

If you would like more information about the Privacy Act 1988, you can contact the Federal Privacy Commissioner's hotline service on 1300 363 992 or visit www.privacy.gov.au

For further details about the collection and use of health information you can contact the office of the Health Services Commissioner on 1800 136 066 or visit www.health.vic.gov.au