Operational information

Information Publication Scheme - Operational Information

Under subsection 8A(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) (as in force from 1 May 2011), the 'operational information' of an agency is:

... information held by the agency to assist the agency to perform or exercise the agency's functions or powers in making decisions or recommendations affecting members of the public (or any particular person or entity, or class of persons or entities).

Such information can include:

  • Documents available to agency officers to assist them make decisions or recommendations under legislation or schemes that the agency administers;
  • The decision or recommendation concerns a right, privilege or benefit of a member of the public, or an obligation, penalty or detriment to which a person may be subject;
  • The document is in the nature of a manual, or contains an interpretation, rule, guideline, practice or precedent, including a letter of advice; the particulars of a scheme administered by the agency; a statement as to how legislation or a scheme will be administered or enforced; or a procedure followed by the agency in investigating breaches or evasions of legislation and schemes.

Details about the roles and functions of FaHCSIA can be found on FaHCSIA's website.

The documents listed as operational information, where they have not been published for downloading on FaHCSIA's website, can be made available to members of the public by contacting the Department's Freedom of Information Coordinator. Charges may apply where requests are made for information that is already available for downloading from FaHCSIA's website. The charges are published here:

If you have a query about a particular document, in the first instance, please refer to the contact details outlined in the document listing.

Other general enquiries about operational information should be made to:

The Freedom of Information Coordinator
Public Law Branch (TOP CW2)
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA)
Box 7576
Canberra Business Centre ACT 2610

Telephone: (02) 6244 7421
Email: foi@fahcsia.gov.au

Listing of FaHCSIA's Operational Information

Content Updated: 30 April 2013