Freedom of Information

The object of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 1982 is to "extend as far as possible the right of the Australian community to access to information in the possession of the Government of the Commonwealth".

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government holds Australian Government documents relating to its responsibilities including:

• developing and providing national policy advice to enhance transport safety and security and to strengthen social and economic opportunities for Australia's regions and local governments;
• investing in infrastructure and administering programs to enhance the safety of the road transport system, develop Australia's regions and support local governments;
• conducting research and investigations to improve the performance, safety and security of our transport systems, support policy development and inform the wider community;
• providing regulatory frameworks to ensure a clear and robust transport environment; and
• working with other levels of government and engage domestically and internationally with stakeholders to facilitate outcomes for all Australians

A request under the FOI Act must be in writing or email and state an address in Australia to which notices under the FOI Act can be sent. A request under the FOI Act must identify the documents that you wish to see. The Freedom of Information Coordinator can assist you to identify the sort of documents held by the Department. Please provide as much information as possible about the documents you are seeking and a phone number or email address so you can be contacted, if necessary, to discuss the request.

A request costs $30.00. Payment can be made by credit card or cheque. To make payment by credit card, please click here to obtain a copy of a credit card payment authority.

• Freedom of Information Credit Card Payment Form [DOC: 80 KB]
• Freedom of Information Credit Card Payment Form [PDF: 119 KB]

Your cheque or completed Credit Card Payment Form can be sent to the following address:

Freedom of Information Coordinator
Department of Infrastructure, Transport,
Regional Development and Local Government
GPO Box 594
CANBERRA ACT 2601

The Credit Card Payment Form can also be faxed to (02) 6275 1347.

The information on the Credit Card Payment Form will only be used for the purpose for which you have provided it. We will not use this information for any other purpose, and will not disclose it without your consent.

In some circumstances, the $30.00 application fee will not be charged, or will be refunded. If you want to ask that the fee not apply to your request, the criteria considered by the Department include whether:

• the payment of the fee or a part of the fee would cause financial hardship to the applicant or person on whose behalf the application was made; or
• the giving of access to documents is in the general public interest or in the interest of a substantial section of the public.

You would need to contact the Department in writing or email and explain why you meet the criteria or that the overall circumstances justify you not paying the fee. Please forward your request for non-payment of the application fee to the Freedom of Information Coordinator. Until the application fee for a request is paid or otherwise decided on, your FOI request cannot be processed.

The FOI Act and Regulations provides for other fees and charges associated with the processing of the request. These charges may relate to the time spent searching for and retrieving relevant documents, decision making time, photocopying and other costs. If lodging a FOI request, you will be notified of any estimate of the charges associated with processing your request as soon as possible. Your request will not be processed until you respond to any such notification.

If you need further information or wish to lodge a formal request seeking access to documents under the FOI Act, please do not hesitate to contact the FOI Coordinator:

Freedom of Information Coordinator
Department of Infrastructure, Transport,
Regional Development and Local Government
GPO Box 594
CANBERRA ACT 2601

Tel: (02) 6274 7531
Fax: (02) 6275 1347
email: foi@infrastructure.gov.au