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Freedom of Information

The Freedom of Information Act 1982 gives people a right of access to information held by ministers, state government departments, local councils, most semi-government agencies and statutory authorities, public hospitals and community health centres, universities, TAFE colleges and schools. The intention of the act is to provide the maximum amount of available government information promptly and inexpensively to the public.

People have a right of access to:

• A document of the department other than an exempt document
• An official document of the Minister other than an exempt document.

Certain categories of exemption exist to protect essential public interests and people’s private and business affairs.

The Freedom of Information unit serves as the portal through which people access departmental material. The unit responds to requests for records about all areas of the department's operations, from routine housekeeping through to program-driven client services. Operating under the umbrella of the Freedom of Information Act, the Freedom of Information unit balances the act's purpose to facilitate access to records with the rights of people to have their privacy protected.

Contact Information

For more information about freedom of information and how to make a request, visit the Freedom of Information website or contact one of the Freedom of Information contacts.