Right to Information is the Queensland Government's approach to giving the community greater access to information. We are committed to provide access to information held by the government, unless on balance it is contrary to the public interest to provide that information.
The Right to Information Act 2009 and Information Privacy Act 2009 came into effect on 1 July 2009, replacing the Freedom of Information Act 1992.
Right to Information reforms aim to make more information available, provide equal access to information across all sectors of the community, and provide appropriate protection for individuals' privacy.
Searching for information
Before submitting a right to information application or information privacy application for access solely to your own personal information, you should check to see if the information is already available. The disclosure log publishes information that has been released in response to other Right to Information requests, while our publication scheme describes and categorises information we routinely make available. Our Information Asset Register identifies information collected for the purpose of supporting the department's functions.
Some of our information may be released administratively by business units. You can access this information without having to lodge a formal application
Administrative access may be used for the following information:
- certain types of non-personal information devoid of sensitivity and confidentiality
- an individual's own information but not that of another person, unless consent has been provided.
Where a document contains the personal or commercial information of more than 1 person, the information will only be accessible through administrative access when all parties have given prior written consent.
Requests for administrative access to information are processed in accordance with the department's Administrative Release Policy and Procedure (PDF, 285KB).
Please contact the relevant business unit directly for any information which may be released administratively.
If you are unable to find the information you are searching for, please contact Right to Information Services.
Requesting information
You can request information by applying online.
Alternatively, you can download the Right to information and information privacy information access application form (PDF, 208KB) and submit it by mail or email to Right to Information Services.
Fees and charges
There is an initial $55.75 (excl. GST) application fee for all Right to Information applications. This fee cannot be waived.
There is no application fee for Information Privacy applications.
No processing charges are payable if the agency spends less than 5 hours processing an application. If the agency spends more than 5 hours the charge is $8.65 (excl. GST) for each 15 minutes (or part thereof) spent processing the application.
The applicant is not charged for processing of documents that contain personal information.
The department may also charge $0.25 (excl. GST) per A4 page if the applicant wishes to receive black and white photocopies. No charge will apply to access documents via email.
Credit card details will not be accepted for payment of the application fee via email, facsimile or telephone. Credit card payments will only be accepted in hard copy via post or as part of an online application process.
Statutory time frames
Valid applications must be processed within 25 business days of receipt. A further 10 business days can be added if we need to consult with third parties.
The department may negotiate a further extension of time with the applicant if additional processing time is required. This extension of time does not affect an applicant's right of review.
Amending personal information held by government
You can apply to have any of your personal information held by the Queensland Government amended if you believe it is:
- inaccurate
- incomplete
- out of date
- misleading.
If you wish to amend the information, you must first complete the Information privacy personal information amendment application form and submit it to Right to Information Services.
Right of review
If you are dissatisfied with our decision, you can apply to have that decision examined under internal review by an officer within the department of equal or higher level. Alternatively, you may apply for an external review direct to the Office of the Information Commissioner, irrespective of whether the department has internally reviewed the decision.
An application to have a decision internally reviewed must be made within 20 business days of the date of the letter communicating the original decision. If you remain dissatisfied with the department's internal review decision, you may still request an external review by the Information Commissioner.
For external review, you must apply in writing to the Information Commissioner within 20 business days of the date of the internal review decision, or within 20 business days of the original decision if you elect to bypass internal review and proceed direct to external review.
Please contact the Right to Information Services for more information.
Contact Right to Information Services
Right to Information and Information Privacy contacts for the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training:
Right to Information Services
Department of Employment, Small Business and Training
GPO Box 2454
BRISBANE QLD 4001
Phone: (07) 3330 6111
Email: rtiservices@des.qld.gov.au
Website: www.desbt.qld.gov.au
More information
- Accessing government-held information
- Amending personal information held by government
- Right to information and information privacy
Last updated 30 August 2024
