Privacy policy
Privacy Policy
Marika Ward Nutrition
Last updated: 29 October 2026
1. Our Commitment to Your Privacy
At Marika Ward Nutrition, your privacy, confidentiality and trust are important to us.
We are committed to protecting your personal and health information and handling it responsibly in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) where applicable, and other relevant legislation.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, protect and disclose your information when you access our nutrition services, website, online store, client app and digital resources.
Our website and online store are powered by Shopify.
2. Information We Collect
To provide personalised nutrition and wellness services, we may collect:
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Personal information: Your name, date of birth, contact details and other relevant identifying information.
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Health information: Medical history, symptoms, medications, supplements, lifestyle habits and relevant health conditions.
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Clinical results: Blood tests, functional pathology, gut health testing, hormone assessments and other relevant investigations.
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Nutrition and lifestyle information: Food diaries, photographs of meals, exercise, sleep, stress and other health-related information.
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Consultation information: Clinical notes, consultation recordings, transcripts, assessments and recommendations.
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Administrative information: Appointments, payments, communications and program participation.
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Online store information: Billing and shipping details, purchases, returns, account details and payment transaction information.
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Digital information: Information provided through our website, client app and online services, including device information, IP addresses, browsing activity and cookies.
We collect information that is reasonably necessary for our services or otherwise permitted by law.
3. How We Collect Your Information
We may collect information through:
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Client intake and consent forms.
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In-person and online consultations.
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Pathology laboratories and testing providers.
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Food diaries, questionnaires and progress tracking.
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Our client app and online platforms.
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Emails, messages and other direct communications.
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Website visits, online purchases and account registrations.
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Other healthcare professionals, where authorised or otherwise permitted by law.
Where practicable, we collect information directly from you and explain why it is required.
You may request to deal with us anonymously or using a pseudonym where lawful and practicable. However, identification is generally necessary to provide personalised clinical services safely.
4. How We Use Your Information
Your information may be used to:
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Assess your nutritional and health needs.
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Interpret relevant pathology and functional testing results.
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Develop personalised nutrition and lifestyle recommendations.
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Prepare clinical notes, reports and educational resources.
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Monitor your progress and provide ongoing support.
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Communicate with you about consultations, appointments and programs.
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Process payments, purchases, orders, returns and refunds.
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Provide access to digital products and client programs.
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Maintain and improve our website and online services.
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Manage security, prevent fraud and meet legal obligations.
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Send educational or promotional communications where permitted by law.
We will not use your identifiable health information for unrelated marketing purposes without appropriate consent or another lawful basis.
5. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Technology
Marika Ward Nutrition may use AI-assisted technology to support clinical documentation, consultation summaries, analysis of health information, development of personalised nutrition plans and administrative processes.
AI is used as a supporting tool and does not replace professional judgement.
All AI-assisted clinical recommendations and documents are reviewed by your practitioner before being used to guide your care.
The use of AI may involve processing identifiable personal and sensitive health information, including names, medical histories, consultation notes and pathology results, through third-party technology providers.
We take reasonable steps to assess the privacy and security practices of AI providers, limit unnecessary disclosure and protect client confidentiality.
Information may be stored or processed by third-party providers, including providers located outside Australia. Relevant overseas disclosures and safeguards are addressed in this policy.
We seek appropriate consent where required, including for AI-assisted consultation recording and transcription and other uses involving sensitive health information.
We do not authorise the use of identifiable client health information to train general-purpose AI models without an appropriate lawful basis and any required consent.
6. Consultation Recordings and Transcriptions
Marika Ward Nutrition may record or transcribe Zoom consultations to assist with clinical documentation, accurate note-taking and continuity of care.
Where consent is required, we will obtain it before recording or transcription begins.
Recordings and transcripts are treated as confidential health information and are accessible only to authorised persons and service providers where necessary.
Consultation recordings, audio or identifiable personal information will not be used publicly for testimonials, marketing or promotional purposes without your separate written consent.
You may decline optional recording or transcription and discuss alternative note-taking arrangements.
7. Case Studies, Testimonials and Marketing
With your separate consent, Marika Ward Nutrition may use aspects of your health journey, progress or results for educational or marketing purposes.
Where information is presented as an anonymous case study, reasonable steps will be taken to remove identifying details and minimise the risk of re-identification.
Your name, image, voice or other identifiable personal information will not be published for promotional purposes without your specific written consent.
Participation in testimonials or marketing activities is voluntary and does not affect your access to our services.
You may withdraw consent for future marketing use by contacting us. Where information has already been published or distributed, we will explain what removal is reasonably possible.
8. Sharing Information With Third Parties
To deliver our services, we may share relevant information with authorised third-party providers, including:
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Pathology laboratories and functional testing providers.
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Appointment booking and practice management platforms.
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Secure client communication and coaching platforms.
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Video conferencing and transcription providers, including Zoom.
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AI-assisted documentation and administrative services.
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Shopify and associated ecommerce service providers.
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Payment processing, shipping and fulfilment providers.
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Cloud storage, IT and website service providers.
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Other healthcare professionals, with appropriate authority or where permitted by law.
We may also share relevant information with marketing and advertising providers in connection with website and online store activity, subject to applicable law and your privacy choices.
We take reasonable steps to ensure third-party providers handle personal information securely and in accordance with applicable privacy requirements.
We may disclose information where required or authorised by law.
We do not sell client health information.
9. Shopify and Online Store Privacy
Our website and online store are powered by Shopify.
Shopify may collect and process information about your interactions with our website, including purchases, browsing activity, account information, device information and transaction details.
This information may be used to operate our online store, process transactions, improve services, prevent fraud and support marketing and advertising features.
Certain Shopify services may involve information being processed or shared with third-party providers, including providers located outside Australia.
Shopify may also process information under its own privacy policies and applicable legal obligations.
You can learn more about Shopify's data practices through its Consumer Privacy Policy:
https://www.shopify.com/legal/privacy/consumers
You may also access Shopify's privacy portal:
Health information collected as part of our nutrition consultations is handled separately from ordinary online shopping information unless a specific service requires otherwise.
10. Overseas Storage and Processing
Although Marika Ward Nutrition operates in Australia, some digital platforms, cloud services, ecommerce providers and AI technologies may store or process personal information outside Australia.
This may include information processed through Shopify, Zoom, AI platforms and other third-party services.
Where personal information is disclosed overseas, we take steps required under applicable Australian privacy laws, including assessing relevant safeguards and service provider arrangements.
11. Storage, Security and Retention
We take reasonable steps to protect personal and health information against misuse, loss, interference, unauthorised access, modification and disclosure.
These measures may include access controls, password protection, secure platforms, appropriate access restrictions and other technical and organisational safeguards.
Health records, consultation notes and related information are retained for the periods required by applicable laws and professional obligations.
Where Victorian health records legislation applies, records are generally retained for at least seven years after the last service, or, for records collected when a client was a child, until the client reaches 25 years of age, whichever period is longer.
Other records, including website, payment and administrative information, are retained according to applicable legal requirements and legitimate business needs.
When information is no longer required and there is no legal requirement to retain it, we take reasonable steps to securely destroy or de-identify it.
Although we take reasonable precautions, no electronic storage or transmission system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
12. Your Client App and Online Services
Marika Ward Nutrition may use a client app and other digital platforms to deliver nutrition programs, educational resources, habit tracking, progress monitoring and communication.
Information entered into these platforms may include personal details, health information, messages, progress updates and uploaded content.
Information is handled in accordance with this Privacy Policy and any additional notices applicable to the relevant platform.
Where group accountability features are offered, information you choose to post in a group may be visible to other participants.
We recommend avoiding the disclosure of information in group spaces that you do not wish other participants to see.
13. Website, Cookies and Marketing Communications
Our website and online services may use cookies and similar technologies to support website functionality, understand usage, remember preferences and improve the customer experience.
Shopify and relevant third-party providers may use cookies and related technologies for analytics, marketing and personalised advertising.
You may be able to manage cookies through your browser settings and available website privacy controls.
If you subscribe to our newsletter, download resources or request information, we may send relevant educational and promotional communications in accordance with applicable law.
You can unsubscribe from marketing emails using the unsubscribe link provided or by contacting us directly.
We do not disclose identifiable client health information to advertising platforms for targeted marketing without an appropriate lawful basis.
14. Children's Privacy
Where we provide services to clients under 18, we take additional care in collecting and handling their personal and health information.
Consent will be obtained from the young person or their parent or guardian as appropriate, taking into account applicable law and the young person's capacity to consent.
Our online store and digital services may have additional age-related requirements.
Parents and guardians may contact us regarding their child's information, subject to applicable privacy and confidentiality rights.
15. Your Privacy Rights
You may request access to the personal or health information we hold about you and ask us to correct information that is inaccurate, incomplete, outdated or misleading.
Depending on applicable law and the circumstances, you may also request deletion of certain information, withdraw consent for particular activities or exercise other available privacy rights.
Requests for deletion may be limited by clinical recordkeeping and other legal obligations.
We may need to verify your identity before providing access or making changes.
We will respond within a reasonable timeframe and explain any lawful reason for refusing a request. Any applicable access charges will be explained in advance.
For information processed directly by Shopify, additional privacy choices may be available through Shopify's privacy portal.
16. Third-Party Websites and Links
Our website and digital services may contain links to websites or platforms operated by third parties.
These providers may have their own privacy policies and information-handling practices.
We encourage you to review the privacy policies of external websites and services before providing personal information.
17. Privacy Concerns and Complaints
If you have questions or concerns about how your information is handled, please contact Marika Ward Nutrition using the details below.
We will acknowledge your concern, investigate it and aim to provide a response within 30 days.
If you are dissatisfied with our response, you may be able to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) or the relevant state health privacy regulator.
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
Health Complaints Commissioner Victoria
18. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in legislation, technology, our services or our information-handling practices.
The current version will be made available through our website.
Where required, we will provide additional notice or obtain consent before introducing materially different uses of personal information.
19. Contact Us
For questions, privacy requests or complaints, please contact:
Marika Ward Nutrition
Privacy contact: Marika Ward
Email: marika@marikaward.com