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International Access to Information Day 2026
About IAID
International Access to Information Day (IAID), or International Day for Universal Access to Information as it is named internationally, is a global event held annually on 28 September. The day was proclaimed by the United Nations and UNESCO to promote transparency, accountability and open government.
The 2026 UNESCO theme for IAID is Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The Role of Access to Information in Addressing Information Disorder.
This global event celebrates and recognises the importance of the community’s right to know and access information from governments around the world. Right to Know Week aligns with IAID, to promote transparent and accountable governance.
The OAIC’s theme of Transparency + Access = Information Integrity complements the UNESCO theme by highlighting the important role of transparency and access in promoting information integrity. Transparency and access to reliable government information are vital to information integrity and can help address the challenges posed by misinformation, disinformation and information disorder.
IAID in Australia
The OAIC, as the national regulator, will join members of the United Nations and Australian states and territories in promoting IAID.
The OAIC will mark IAID 2026 for one week, from 28 September to 4 October 2026. To celebrate IAID, there will be a range of events and highlights from the OAIC and other state and territories.
If you are an Australian Government FOI practitioner, subscribe to our ICON Alert newsletter to receive the latest news and updates about IAID and other OAIC news.
IAID is an opportunity to share key messages about access to information, and spotlight the important role government agencies play in managing information for public purposes.
There will be a supporter amplification kit available soon for your government agency to use to promote #AccessToInfoDay.
About FOI and access to government information
The right to information is enshrined in access to information laws across Australia and New Zealand. We are among more than 120 nations around the world to guarantee citizens these rights — a significant expansion since 2009 when UNESCO recorded only 40 countries with these laws.
Australia’s Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) recognises that the information government holds is a national resource and is managed for public purposes, and that public access to it should be prompt and at the lowest reasonable cost. The FOI Act applies to Australian Government ministers and most agencies, and other Australian states and territories have equivalent legislation.
By proactively making government information available and accessible, agencies strengthen accountability, support informed democratic participation, and build trust. Transparent access to reliable government information underpins information integrity and reinforces public confidence. This reflects key priorities for both the Information Commissioner and FOI Commissioner.
Make sure you’re FOI informed
Learn more about:
- your freedom of information rights
- how to access government information
- freedom of information guidance for government agencies
Watch our videos on:
Campaign materials for supporters
Downloadable resources are coming soon
Events
OAIC IAID 2026 event
To mark IAID 2026, the OAIC will host a hybrid event at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, Canberra. The program will bring together Australian Government FOI practitioners and senior leaders to explore the role of information access, discuss contemporary challenges and share practical approaches to effective FOI administration.
When: Monday, 21 September 2026
Where: Hybrid — Online and in-person at the Museum of Australian Democracy, Canberra
2026 Solomon Lecture
The Solomon Lecture, hosted annually by the Office of the Information Commissioner Queensland, is a key IAID event. This year, it will be delivered by journalist and award-winning foreign correspondent, Professor Peter Greste who’s keynote title will address the theme, Fact versus Fake: Tackling information disorder in the digital age.
When: Monday, 28 September 2026
Where: Hybrid — Online and in-person at Parliament House, Brisbane
Information Access Series: The ideal state of Freedom of Information in Victoria
As part of International Access to Information Day celebrations, OVIC is presenting ‘Part 2’ of this series discussing recommendations from the IOC’s inquiry into the operation of the FOI Act that focus on supporting a culture of open access in Victoria.
When: Thursday, 1 October 2026
Where: Online via Microsoft Teams Webinar
