Freedom of Information

The objective of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 is to 'extend as far as possible the right of the Australian community to access information in the possession of the Government of the Commonwealth'. Access is limited only by exemptions that protect essential public interests and the private and business affairs of people about whom departments and statutory authorities hold information.

Members of the public seeking access to documents that may be held by AusAID should lodge a formal Freedom of Information (FOI) application.

How to make an FOI application

Your FOI application needs to contain enough information concerning the documents sought to enable the agency to identify them. Your application should also include a telephone number and an address within Australia to which notifications are to be addressed.

Applications should be posted to:

FOI Coordinator
Ministerial and Parliamentary Section
AusAID
PO Box 887
CANBERRA   ACT   2601

or emailed to:

foi@ausaid.gov.au

Charges

The FOI Act provides that charges may be imposed for processing requests. The agency levies the applicable fees and charges imposed under the FOI Regulations. The agency may decide to remit, reduce or not impose fees and charges for any reason, including on the grounds of financial hardship or if general public interest can be established by the applicant.

Freedom of Information requests

Documentation released under the Freedom of Information Act will be published on this agency’s disclosure log as close as possible to the time it is received by the applicant. This will not however apply to the following types of documents:

• personal information about any person if publication of that information would be ‘unreasonable’
• information about the business, commercial, financial or professional affairs of any person if publication of that information would be ‘unreasonable’
• other information covered by a determination made by the Australian Information Commissioner if publication of that information would be ‘unreasonable’
• any information if it is not reasonably practicable to publish the information because of the extent of modifications that would need to be made to delete the information listed in the above points.

Where we release other information to an FOI applicant, and the information was related to but not formally covered by the FOI request, we may also release that information through the disclosure log or elsewhere on AusAID's website.

Routinely requested information and disclosure log

Freedom of Information notes

The material contained in this section provides explanatory notes in relation to some FOI requests.

Freedom of Information notes

More information

For more information about FOI, contact AusAID's Ministerial and Parliamentary Section:

• Tel: (02) 6178 5716
• Email