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Download the Freedom of Information request form
Updated: 02 October 2025Freedom of Information
We make a range of information available for public access. You can also formally request access under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to documents we hold.
Your rights
The FOI Act gives any person the right to:
- access copies of documents (except exempt documents) we hold
- seek a review of our decision not to allow you access to a document or not to amend your personal record.
- ask for information we hold about you to be changed or annotated if it is incomplete, out of date, incorrect or misleading
You can ask to access any document we hold. We can refuse access to some documents, or parts of documents that are exempt. Exempt documents may include those relating to national security, documents containing material obtained in confidence and Cabinet documents, or other matters as set out in the FOI Act.
Documents available outside the FOI Act
You can get certain information, including personal information we hold about you, without following a formal process under the FOI Act. To find out more visit - Access to our Information
Check you have the correct agency
The OAIC may not hold the information you need as we do not generally hold documents of other government agencies or departments. We encourage you to lodge your request directly with the relevant agency which may be a quicker process for you.
For example, the OAIC do not hold documents for:
- Police Records
- Education records.
- Health or Medical records
- Immigration and citizenship records
For further information to assist you to find the correct agency, visit Requesting documents of other agencies.
How to make an FOI request
Your request must:
- be in writing
- provide an address for reply.
- state that the request is an application for the purposes of the FOI Act
- provide information about the document(s) you wish to access so that we can process your request
You can send your request by:
- Form - You can use the request form FOI request application form (PDF, 1096 KB) and email the form to foi@oaic.gov.au. Completing the form is generally the quickest process and ensures immediate lodgement of your request.
- Post - You can post the printed form or a letter detailing your request to:
- Email - You can email your request to foi@OAIC.gov.au
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
Attention FOI Coordinator
GPO Box 5288
Sydney NSW 2001.
If you are making an FOI request on behalf of another person, you will need to provide a specific, written authority from that person, allowing us to send copies of documents to you containing information about the other person.
Help to apply
If you need us to assist you to lodge your FOI request you can seek assistance with:
- hearing or speech services: you can contact us through the National Relay Service
- translation services: you can contact us through the Translating and Interpreting Service
If you need further help to make an FOI request to the OAIC, please contact us.
FOI processing charge
There are no processing charges where you are seeking your own personal information. However, processing charges may apply to requests for non-personal information. We will let you know if your request attracts a processing charge.
For further information regarding charges refer to What charges may apply?.
What to expect from us
We will tell you within 14 days that we have received your request. We will give you our decision within 30 days unless that time has been extended.
We will let you know if a document contains information about a third party as we may need to consult with them. We may also seek your agreement to extend the time by up to 30 days if we need more time to process your request. For further information see Extension of time under the FOI Act.
Transferring requests to another agency or minister
If your request relates to documents held by another Australian Government agency, we may transfer the request or relevant part of the request to that agency for processing, subject to provisions under section 16 of the FOI Act. If you wish to approach that agency directly, this will generally be a quicker and more efficient process for you. We will let you know if we transfer your request to another agency.
If you disagree with our decision
When we have made a decision about your FOI request, we will send you a letter explaining our decision and your review and appeal rights.
You can ask for the following decisions to be reviewed:
- if we refuse to give you access to all or part of a document or if we defer giving you access
- if we refuse to change or annotate information about you that you claim is incomplete, incorrect, out of date or misleading.
- if we impose a charge
A third party who disagrees with our decision to give you documents which contain information about them can also ask for our decision to be reviewed.
Information Commissioner Reviews
You can ask the Australian Information Commissioner to review our original decision or our decision on internal review within 60 days of the date of decision (or 30 days after you are notified if you are an affected third party). The Information Commissioner can affirm or vary the decision or substitute a new decision. The Information Commissioner may decide not to conduct a review in certain circumstances. More information is available from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
Complaints
If you are not satisfied with the way we have handled your FOI request, you may make a complaint to the Information Commissioner or you can lodge a complaint through the Commonwealth Ombudsman.
More information
If you require assistance with your request, please send an email to foi@OAIC.gov.au
You can make an FOI request on behalf of another person. (For example, if you are a legal representative seeking access on behalf of a client). If so, that person’s recent and written consent or authorisation must be provided with the FOI request.
Yes. You may request information from the OAIC through an administrative process. Administrative access is a less formal process than making an FOI request, and may often be dealt with informally and more quickly.
Further information is available at administrative processes.
