Part 3: Appendixes

Part 3: Appendixes

Appendix 7 | Freedom of information

Freedom of Information practices and procedures

FaCS handles all freedom of information (FOI) requests in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1982. FaCS' protocols with Centrelink and other agencies delivering services on FaCS' behalf also ensures that all requests are handled in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act.

In 2003–04, the Child Support Agency (CSA) continued to develop protocols and procedures to ensure it complied with the Freedom of Information Act 1982 when responding to requests. CSA also provides informal access in relation to requests for customers' personal information.

Freedom of information requests

Table 92 FaCS and CSA—freedom of information: number of requests, 2003–04
Agency Number of requests received Number of requests finalised (including withdrawn) Number of requests transferred to another agency Number of requests outstanding
FaCS 15 7 2 2
Child Support Agency 336 323 0 37

Table 93 FaCS and CSA—freedom of information: timeliness of response to requests, 2003–04
Agency Requests answered in less than 30 days Requests answered in 30 to 60 days Requests answered in 60 to 90 days Requests answered in more than 90 days
FaCS 4 8 0 3
Child Support Agency 216 65 19 11

Procedures for gaining access to documents

Contact officers at both FaCS and CSA can advise on FOI matters and discuss the nature and scope of an intended request.

Formal applications for access to documents under FOI must be made by letter or statement or, where available, by completing a form. The application must be submitted to the offices listed in Table 94.

CSA follows informal access guidelines in cases where individuals seek access to documents that contain their own information, eliminating the need to lodge a formal FOI application.

Table 94 FaCS and CSA—freedom of information: facilities and procedures for accessing documents, 2003–04
  Facilities for access to documents and general inquiries Formal request Informal request
FaCS

Director, FOI Team
FaCS National Office
PO Box 7576
Canberra Business Centre
ACT 2610

General inquiries:
Freedom of Information Officer
FaCS
PO Box 7576
Canberra Business Centre
ACT 2610
Telephone: 02 6244 5529
Fax: 02 6244 5744

 FaCS state and territory offices
FaCS National Office
Freedom of Information Officer
PO Box 7576
Canberra Business Centre
ACT 2610
Telephone: 02 6244 5529
Fax: 02 6244 5744 		FaCS state and territory offices
FaCS National Office
Freedom of Information Officer
Box 7576
Canberra Business Centre
ACT 2610
Telephone: 02 6244 5529
Fax: 02 6244 5744
CSA

CSA officesa, in person
Documents can be mailed

For forms and information, phone 131 272

Lodge request or mail to CSA officesa

Electronically at the CSA web site: www.csa.gov.au

Telephone 131 272

Speak to FOI contact officer

Write to FOI contact officer
  1. CSA offices and addresses
NSW
Albury
PO Box 9815 Albury 2640
Newcastle
GPO Box 9815 Sydney 2001
Parramatta
GPO Box 9815 Sydney 2001
Penrith
GPO Box 9815 Sydney 2001
Sydney
GPO Box 9815 Sydney 2001
Wollongong
GPO Box 9815 Sydney 2001
VIC
Box Hill
PO Box 9815 Box Hill 3128
Dandenong
PO Box 9815 Dandenong 3175
Geelong
PO Box 9815 Geelong 3220
Moonee Ponds
PO Box 9815 Moonee Ponds 3039
QLD
Brisbane
GPO Box 9815 Brisbane 4001
Townsville
PO Box 9815 Townsville 4810
SA
Adelaide
GPO Box 1867 Adelaide 5001
WA
Perth
PO Box 9815 Perth 6848
TAS
Hobart
GPO Box 9815 Hobart 7001
ACT
Canberra
GPO Box 9815 Sydney 2001
Table 95 FaCS and CSA—freedom of information: categories of documents maintained, 2003–04
FaCS Child Support Agency

Documents FaCS holds are:

  • separate records such as agenda and minutes of decision-making bodies
  • separate records of Cabinet matters, including Cabinet submissions and Cabinet minutes
  • separate records prepared for the Executive Council
  • general correspondence and associated documents according to subject matter
  • documents maintained separately that relate to FaCS' specific functions—for example, finance
  • documents containing personal information of individuals accessing payments and services of the portfolio.

None of these documents are:

  • open to the public as part of the public register or otherwise, in accordance with an enactment other than the Freedom of Information Act 1982, where that access is subject to a fee or other charge
  • available for purchase by the public in accordance with arrangements made by FaCS except manuals, instructions or guidelines
  • customarily made available to the public other than under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, free of charge on request.

Forms and leaflets relating to FaCS payments delivered by Centrelink are freely available to the public.

Documents CSA holds are:

  • agendas for, and minutes of, meetings of senior officers within CSA
  • ministerial, interdepartmental and general correspondence
  • internal administration papers and records
  • CSA legislation, policy and procedural documents
  • reports relating to CSA statistics, research and projects
  • proposals for legislation, drafting instructions and draft legislation
  • copies of instruments of delegation, given to, or by, the Child Support Registrar
  • requests for legal advice and copies of notes of advice given
  • briefing papers prepared for, and submissions to, the Minister or the Government
  • answers to parliamentary questions
  • correspondence, reports and other documents relating to CSA structure and the number, size and location of offices
  • correspondence, reports and other documents concerning the CSA's human resources management
  • documents that relate to CSA specific functions, containing personal information of individuals accessing CSA.

CSA makes child support forms, brochures and booklets freely available to the public. People can also access many of these documents and the CSA guide to policy, rulings and determinations through CSA's web site, www.csa.gov.au

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© Commonwealth of Australia, 2005 | Last modified 11 February 2005