**** IMPORTANT INFORMATION COVID-19: FOI request timeframes are likely to be impacted by COVID-19, and whilst we are continuing to work to meet statutory timeframes, this may not be possible in all instances. We are committed to working with you and responding as best we can under the current circumstances. We thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.****
Applying for access to government information
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2016, you can apply to access documents.
You will need to complete the approved Freedom of Information (FOI) form.
- Download the FOI Access Request form - click here (PDF 167KB)
The completed FOI Access Request form will need to be forwarded to:
Or
Freedom of Information Requests
Major Projects Canberra
GPO Box 158
Canberra ACT 2601
Apply to the correct agency or Minister
You will need to apply to the agency which has the documents you want to access. If more than one directorate or agency has the documents you are interested in, you may need to complete an application form and submit to each entity. However, we will attempt where reasonably possibly to have one agency coordinate the whole request.
Please note the Minister and the agency are separate, therefore if you are interested in documents held by both, you will need to make two access requests. Applications made only to the agency or directorate will not result in information being made available from the Minister’s Office. Similarly, if you apply to the Minister’s Office, searches will be confined to the Minister’s Office only.
What happened after you apply for access to information?
Once received, the MPC FOI team will review the access request to make sure it contains the required information to process it. If more information is required, the FOI team will contact you within five (5) working days of receiving your application.
Once MPC has officially accepted your application, the FOI team will send you a written acknowledgement if receipt within ten (10) working days.
In the event you don’t provide us with the requested documentation within the allocated timeframe, MPC may refuse to process your application due to it being non-compliant with section 30 of the Act.
Notice of decision
Once the FOI team has processed the access request, you will receive a letter setting out the decision and the reasons for the decision. This letter will explain what documents have been located and why access to documents, or parts of documents, have been refused.
Time required to make a decision
Under section 40 of the Act, MOC have to make a decision on your application within 20 working days from the date of receiving a valid access request. This period may be extended by 15 business days if another person or agency needs to be consulted as per section 40(2) of the Act. The FOI team may negotiate an extension with the applicant due to delays in locating documents, staff availability and workload.
MPC may also request an extension of time through the Ombudsman’s Office if
- an applicant refuses to agree to an extension; and/or
- the application contains a large volume of information; or
- is complex and has potentially conflicting public interest factors.
Fees
You may be required to pay access to information in accordance with the following schedule:
A fee is payable for each page of information given in response to an application, excluding the first 50 pages, whether provided in printed or electronic format. | $0.35c per page (GST is not applicable) |
A fee is payable for giving information to an applicant by post. | The actual cost of postage |
A fee is payable for giving a printed copy of a record containing information to an applicant. | The actual cost of printing |
A fee is payable for giving information contained in a sound or visual recording on electronic storage media (eg by USB, hard drive etc). | The actual cost of the electronic storage media |
A fee is payable for information contained in a written transcript of a sound recording or a record in which words are in shorthand writing or in a codified form. | The actual cost incurred by the respondent in giving the information |
A fee is payable for information that is not contained in a written record and is retrieved or collated using equipment that is usually available to the agency or Minister. | The actual cost incurred by the respondent in giving the information |
Waiving charges
Major Projects Canberra must waive the fee if:
- the information that is the subject of the request was previously publicly available but is no longer publicly available
- the information is subject that is the subject of the access request is of special benefit to the public
- the applicant is a concession card holder and demonstrates a material connection with the information requested
- the applicant is a not for profit organisation and the application relates to the activities or purposes of the organisation
- the applicant is a member of the Assembly
Disputing a decision
You can dispute a decision if:
- we decide you application is outside the scope of the Act
- we decide you application does not comply with the application requirements
- we decide to release documents contrary to your views (if you are a consulted party)
- you believe we should have taken steps to consult you about the release of the documents
- we refuse to deal with the application
- we decide charges are payable (but not the amount of the charge)
- we don’t grant access to the documents either in full or in part
- the documents don’t exist or can’t be found
- we don’t waive processing or access charges
- we provide you advice about a deemed decision
You may apply to the Ombudsman’s Office for review of a decision. This request must be made to the Ombudsman’s Office in writing within 20 business days after:
- the decision was published by MPC in the disclosure log
- for a deemed decision, the day the decision was taken to have been made
- for a decision not to make open access information available because it is contrary to public interest, the day the matter under section 24(2) were published
Disclosure Log
If you require more information on the FOI process, please contact the MPC FOI team on (02) 6205 1757 or by email MPCFOI@act.gov.au
FOI Disclosure Log - click here