Training

One of the functions of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) is to provide training to any person or Australian Government agency on matters relevant to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).

Keep an eye on this section for the latest training information and tools.

The OAIC and FOI Reforms training course

This one day course has been developed for FOI Practitioners in Australian Government agencies and representatives from agency training sections.  The course will cover the reforms to the FOI Act.

There is a cost of $285 for each attendee. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided.

On completion of the course, participants will receive training material that can be used within their agency. Attendees will be provided access to resources to use for awareness sessions which can be conducted within agencies. The OAIC is encouraging agencies to adopt or customise the course for internal presentation by their own staff presenters.

Please note: The OAIC will discontinue this training course in April 2012. The OAIC will offer the course in February and March 2012 to a number of agencies that have been placed on a waiting list, and will advertise any remaining positions on this page.

What will the course cover?

The course will provide an overview of changes to the FOI Act and the operation of the OAIC, and will cover topics such as:

• the objects of the FOI Act regime
• processing requests
• exemptions
• OAIC complaint and review processes.

The course will require attendees to complete a number of exercises on new exemptions, the public interest test, and various aspects of processing requests.

What you will need to bring

You will need to bring the following materials to the course:

• pad and pen
• your own copy of the current Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) available at http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Current/C2011C00803 (optional)

When and where?

We plan to offer training in most capital cities. The OAIC would be interested in hearing whether your agency is willing to host a training course. Please let us know if your agency is happy to do this.

City	Dates	Venue
Perth	16 February 2012	TBA
Adelaide	24 February 2012	TBA
Canberra	29 February and 1 March 2012	OAIC Office
Melbourne	7 and 8 March 2012	TBA
Sydney	14 and 15 March 2012	OAIC Office
Brisbane	21 and 22 March 2012	TBA

How to register

The maximum number for each course is 20 people.

Please return your completed registration form by:

Email to: training@oaic.gov.au,

Fax to: (02) 9284 9666,

Post to: GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001

Enquiries: training@oaic.gov.au or 1300 363 992

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