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Request access to a document

Please print and complete the Freedom of Information (FOI) application form below. You may also directly contact CIIRu and have one mailed to you. A letter outlining the details of your request will also be accepted.

Your request should clearly set out the document(s) you require from the department, as well as, provide sufficient detail to enable the document(s) you are seeking to be identified. If you are seeking access to documents relating to your own personal affairs, please attach proof of your identity (e.g. driver's licence, passport or health care card).

Freedom of Information application form

Applications should be forwarded to:

Manager, Corporate Integrity Information and Resolutions unit
Department of Human Services
GPO Box 4057
MELBOURNE VIC 3001

Application Fee

An application fee of $22.70 is generally required to constitute a valid application. Please remember to enclose a cheque /money order (payable to the Dept. of Human Services) with the application. In certain circumstances, the application fee of $22.70 may be waived.

Download an Application Form [PDF 50kb]

Costs

In addition to the application fee of $22.70, charges may also be incurred depending on the nature of the request. These include the costs for:

• photocopying;
• providing written transcripts of a recorded document and;
• supervising an inspection of documents.

If the charges relating to your request are more than $50.00, you may be required to pay a deposit. You will be notified of this in writing.

Download Fees & Charges document [PDF 29kb]

Correction of Personal Records

Every person also has the right to request the correction or amendment of personal information, held by the department, which they believe is inaccurate, incomplete, out of date, or misleading. A request to amend documents must be made in writing with details of why the information is considered incorrect. Please note, that you may be required to provide evidence to support your request.

Time Limits

Once your valid FOI application has been received, together with the application fee and accompanying proof of identity documentation, the department must respond to you in writing outlining its decision, as soon as practicable and no later than 45 days from the date your request was received. A decision in relation to a request to amend personal records must be made as soon as practicable and no later than 30 days from the date the request was received.

Reviewing of a Decision

If the Department denies you access to the documents you sought, refuses an amendment of personal records, or you are not satisfied with the decision made, you can apply in writing to the CIIRu manager at the Department of Human Services for an internal review of the decision. Your request for an internal review must be in writing and be lodged within 28 days of the date of the original decision. If there are reasonable grounds for a review of the original decision, a secondary response will be forwarded to you within 14 days of receipt of the internal review.

If you wish to appeal further, you may apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal up to 60 days after you are notified of the result of the internal review.

Need More Information?

For further details about how to apply for documents held by the Department of Human Services, please telephone (03) 9096 8449.

Download FOI general information and fact sheet [PDF 33kb]

For additional information relating to Freedom of Information, you may wish to visit the Department of Justice Freedom of Information website www.foi.vic.gov.au - external site