|
Where am I now? Lawlink > Accessing the Department's Information > How can I access information held by DJAG?
|
Print page
|
How can I access information held by DJAG?
1) Search the DAGJ website
Attorney General's Division publishes a large volume of material on this website. Much information relating to Attorney General's structure and functions is available to the public on this website or by contacting the relevant area of the Department. This material will be free of charge or available at the lowest possible cost.
The Government Information (Public Information) Act 2009 requires that Government agencies must put certain information on their websites to be available to the public, free of charge. This is known as 'open access information' and includes:
- policy documents
- publication guide
- disclosure log
- register of government contracts
- Annual reports
The information you are looking for may already be available under one of these links.
2) Make an informal request
If the information you need is not already published on the DAGJ website, the Department may still be able to release it to you on request, without your needing to make a formal application. This information may be released if there are no public interest reasons why it should be kept confidential. To make an informal application, contact the DAGJ Business Centre which holds the information you seek.
All policy documents must be made available unless there is an overriding public interest against disclosure (OPIAD). To determine if there is an OPIAD, the public interest test needs to be applied to each document (refer to the guidelines for ‘Public Interest Test’).
After applying the public interest test, a Business Centre Manager needs to determine whether:
- a policy document may be made available with deletions, or
- a policy document cannot be made publicly available because there is an overriding public interest against disclosure
If a section of a policy document cannot be released, then a copy of the document with deletions should be posted on the Business Centre website noting that it is an incomplete document.
3) Make a formal request
NOTE: This procedure applies only to Attorney General's departmental documents and information. Applications for access to Corrective Services information must be made to the GIPAA Unit, Corrective Services. However if you wish to apply for access to information concerning the DAGJ SuperAgency, please use the form below
If you are seeking specific information which is not available on this website and not routinely provided by the DAGJ on request, you may apply formally for access to it. This involves making a written application and paying a fee. Please apply for Department of Justice and Attorney General information using the DAGJ form. Complete it and send it in with payment to:
GIPAA Unit
NSW Departrment of Attorney General and Justice
GPO Box 6
SYDNEY NSW 2001
Applications must:
- be in writing and sent to the address above;
- clealry state that you are making a request under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009;
- enclose the $30 application fee (cheques and postal orders made out to 'NSW Department of Attorney General and Justice')
- nominate a return postal address in Australia for correspondence purposes; and
- include as much specific information as necessary to enable the DJAG to identify the information you are looking for.
If your application does not include all these things, it will be invalid and cannot be processed. If that happens, the DAGJ GIPAA Unit will let you know what you need to do to make your application valid.
If your application is valid, the GIPAA Unit will acknowledge receipt of the application within 5 working days and deal with your application within 20 working days. Under certain circumstances, an extension of time to complete the application can be obtained by the DJAG.
If the agency does not decide your access application within 20 days, it is considered 'refused'. The agency will refund your application fee and you will have the right to seek internal or external review. (This does not apply if an extension of time has been arranged, or where the agency is waiting for you to pay an advance deposit).
How much will it cost?
The basic fee under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 is $30. Processing charges may be charged at $30 per each hour of processing an application. In some situations, the agency will require you to pay an advance deposit. The agency will let you know when this is required.
Applicants can apply for a 50 per cent reduction in processing costs on the grounds of financial hardship, or ask for the fee to be waived altogether if this information will be of special benefit to the public generally.
|
|
