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Freedom of Information
The object of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act) is to "extend as far as possible the right of the Australian community access to information in the possession of the Government of the Commonwealth".
Making a Freedom of Information (FOI) request
The request must:
- be made in writing
- provide enough information to the Department to identify the documents sought
- specify an address within Australia for notices to be sent, and
- be accompanied by a $30 application fee.
FOI requests should be sent to:
The FOI Coordinator
Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601
Fees and Charges
Cheques and money orders are to be made payable to the Collector of Public Monies.
In addition to the application fee, further charges for processing an FOI request may apply.
The Department may decide to remit, reduce or not impose fees and charges for any reason, including financial hardship or general public interest, if it can be established by the applicant.
Additional Matters
Processing an FOI request can take some time, especially if the number of documents sought is large. If the request for documents contains information about a person, company or organisation other than the applicant, the Department is required to consult with them before making a decision.
It may not be possible to obtain access to all of the documents sought in the request because some may be exempt from release under the FOI Act.
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s website provides useful information about FOI processes more generally. The sample application form provided by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is a useful guide to the matters that should be addressed in the FOI application.
Contact
Please contact the DAFF FOI Coordinator on (02) 6272 4341 for further information.