Refusal to grant access (neither confirming nor denying existence of document) (s 25)
Dear [applicant name]
Freedom of information request no. [Insert identifier number/code]
The purpose of this letter is to provide you with a decision regarding access to documents that you requested under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act). 
Summary
I, [insert name, position], am an officer authorised under section 23(1) of the FOI Act to make decisions in relation to FOI requests.
You requested access to documents relating to [subject of request]. Specifically you sought access to:
•	[quote or accurately paraphrase the terms of the request, including any clarification or variation in its scope resulting from subsequent consultation with the applicant.]
[Explain the background for the request. Relevant information could include:
•	any revisions the applicant has made to their request during the processing period
•	any correspondence entered into by the applicant or agency during the processing period
•	any other background material that provides context for the processing of the request.
Under section 25 of the FOI Act, I neither confirm nor deny that any documents of the type you have requested exist in [name of agency] records. 
Decision and reasons for decision
The FOI Act allows agencies to refuse access without confirming or denying the existence of a document is certain narrow circumstances. These are where a document, if it existed, would be exempt under section 33 (documents affecting national security, defence or international relations) or section 37(1) (documents affecting enforcement of law and protection of public safety). 
Your review rights
If you are dissatisfied with my decision (which is deemed to be a refusal to grant access), you may apply for internal review or Information Commissioner review of the decision. We encourage you to seek internal review as a first step as it may provide a more rapid resolution of your concerns. 
[If the decision maker is a minister or the principal officer of an agency, replace preceding paragraph with: If you are dissatisfied with my decision, you may apply for Information Commissioner review.]
[Insert as applicable: Internal review
Under section 54 of the FOI Act, you may apply in writing to [the Department/name of agency] for an internal review of my decision. The internal review application must be made within 30 days of the date of this letter.
Where possible please attach reasons why you believe review of the decision is necessary. The internal review will be carried out by another officer within 30 days.]
Information Commissioner review
Under section 54L of the FOI Act, you may apply to the Information Commissioner to review my decision. An application for review by the Information Commissioner must be made in writing within 60 days of the date of this letter, and be lodged in one of the following ways:
online: https://forms.business.gov.au/smartforms/servlet/SmartForm.html?formCode=ICR_10
email: foidr@oaic.gov.au 
post:	GPO Box 5218 Sydney NSW 2001
More information about Information Commissioner review is available on the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner website. Go to https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/reviews-and-complaints/information-commissioner-review/. 
FOI Complaints
If you are unhappy with the way we have handled your FOI request, please let us know what we could have done better. We may be able to rectify the problem. If you are not satisfied with our response, you can make a complaint to the Australian Information Commissioner. A complaint to the Information Commissioner must be made in writing. Complaints can be lodged in one of the following ways:
online: https://forms.business.gov.au/smartforms/servlet/SmartForm.html?formCode=ICCA_1
email: foidr@oaic.gov.au
post: GPO Box 5218 Sydney 2001
More information about complaints is available on the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/reviews-and-complaints/make-an-foi-complaint/.
If you are not sure whether to lodge an Information Commissioner review or an Information Commissioner complaint, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner has more information at: https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/reviews-and-complaints/.
Questions about this decision
If you wish to discuss this decision, please contact [me, using the details below / the following officer]:
	[Insert officer name, position and contact details]
Yours sincerely