On 19 October 2011, the Governor-General approved an amendment to the Administrative Arrangements Order transferring responsibilities for privacy and freedom of information policy from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to the Attorney-General’s Department. The Privacy and Freedom of Information Policy Branch within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has transferred to the Attorney-General’s Department as the Information Law and Policy Branch. Relevant parts of this webpage and its contents will shortly be updated and relocated to the website of the Attorney-General’s Department (www.ag.gov.au).
Freedom of Information
This section outlines the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s responsibilities for FOI policy and management of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 across the Australian Government.
The Commonwealth’s FOI Act applies only to the federal public sector. Information about FOI regimes applying to the public sectors of states and territories can be found on their respective websites listed below.
The Privacy & FOI Policy Branch of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet assists the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, Minister for Privacy and Freedom of Information, to administer the Commonwealth FOI Act.
FOI Reform
Substantial changes to the FOI Act commenced on 1 November 2010. This includes the establishment of the Australian Information Commissioner and the FOI Commissioner who will have broad ranging functions related to the independent oversight of the Commonwealth FOI Act. Further information is available from the FOI Reform page and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. Agencies entering into certain contracts on or after 1 November 2010 must take contractual measures to receive documents from contractors and subcontractors – a model clause and guidance is available from the website for the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
State Websites
- QLD - Department of Justice and Attorney-General
- QLD - Office of the Information Commissioner
- WA - Office of the Information Commissioner
- NSW - Office of the Information Commissioner
- VIC - Department of Justice
- SA - State Records of South Australia
- TAS - Ombudsman Tasmania
- ACT - Chief Minister's Department
- ACT - Department of Justice and Community Safety
- NT - Office of the Information Commissioner (Northern Territory)