Access ACT Government information

Check if the information is online

The ACT Government publishes a range of public information online. For example, you can find:

• contracts awarded by the ACT Government
• public notices and media releases
• open data which you can use and share
• annual reports and financial statements
• FOI disclosure logs containing FOI applications, decisions and released information (excluding personal information).

Search ACT Government information.

Ask us for the information

If the information you need is not publicly available, you may be able to get it by asking us.

If you're unsure which directorate holds the information, contact:

• the relevant area in an ACT Government directorate
• the directorate’s FOI team.

Accessing your medical records

Find out how to access your health record from Canberra Health Services.

To access school psychologist and counselling records, contact the Education Directorate’s FOI team.

Access information through an FOI request

If you cannot get the information you need, you may be able to get it through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2016, you can:

• access government information unless releasing it is not in the public interest
• ask us to correct personal information if it is incomplete, incorrect, out-of-date or misleading
• request a review if we refuse access to information or do not amend your personal information.

You can make an FOI request by contacting the relevant ACT Government directorate.

Information where access may be limited

The law restricts what information we can release.

We may not provide information that could reasonably:

• reveal personal or confidential information about someone else
• affect police work, criminal investigations or public safety
• expose business secrets or financial details
• contain confidential government discussions, including Cabinet deliberations
• include legal advice or discussions with a lawyer
• risk national security or international relations.

Costs

It is free to apply.

The first 50 pages are released free. But there may be charges for:

• extra pages
• printing, if you need a printed copy
• postage
• providing information in digital format
• transcribing recordings or shorthand.

The charges are set in the Freedom of Information (Fees) Determination published on the ACT Legislation Register.

You will not be charged if:

• your request is for personal information
• the information was previously publicly available
• you have a valid concession card and the information you’re requesting is relevant to your rights, interests or situation
• your application relates to the activities or purpose of a not-for-profit organisation you represent
• you're a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Submitting your FOI request

Each ACT Government directorate handles FOI requests for information related to their role.

If you're unsure which directorate holds the information you need:

• check the list of ACT Government directorates
• contact any FOI officer, from the FOI contacts list, for guidance.

They can help you find the right directorate and guide you through the request process.

What you’ll need

Your request must include:

• a detailed description of the information you need
• your phone number or email in case we need to contact you
• your email or postal address for our response
• proof of identity if you're requesting personal information.

If you're asking for personal information for someone else, you must provide:

• a signed letter or consent form from that person authorising us to release the information
• proof of their identity
• proof of your identity
• proof of your relationship if you are a parent/carer and you're seeking information about your child.

How to apply or contact us

You can submit your FOI request online (if available), by email, or by post.

If you need help or advice, you can call or email us.

After you apply

We will write to you within 10 working days to tell you we have your application.

We will include:

• the date we received your application
• confirmation of the details of your application
• information about how to contact us
• an estimate of the charges (if applicable)
• the date we will respond by.

If your application is incomplete, we will tell you how to correct it. If you do not give us the missing information, we may not be able to process your application. If this happens, we will write to you to explain why.

How long it takes

We’ll decide within 30 working days if we can give you the information.

It can take longer if:

• we need to consult with other people or organisations (up to 15 extra working days)
• your request is complex or large.

We will contact you if we need more time to process your request.

How we decide your FOI request

We will review your request and decide to either:

• give you the requested information
• confirm we do not have the information you’re requesting
• refuse access, if releasing the information is not in the public interest
• refuse to process the request, if it does not meet FOI requirements
• refuse to confirm or deny the information exists, if saying we hold it could risk someone’s safety, limit their rights under the Human Rights Act 2004, or affect a criminal investigation.

We will send you our decision and any information that we’ve approved for release.

If we refuse access, we will write to you to explain:

• why we have not given you certain information
• how you can request a review of our decision.

Review of an FOI decision

You can ask the ACT Ombudsman to review our decision about:

• your FOI request to access information or change a personal record
• a document we released that affects you.

If you disagree with the Ombudsman's decision, you can request a review from the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT).