Public access to information

Your right to information

People in NSW have the right to access most government information. This helps make government open, fair and accountable. This right comes from a law called the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW) (GIPA Act).

You can usually get information unless there is a strong public reason not to share it (for example, privacy or safety concerns).

What is Public Access to information (GIPA Act)?

The GIPA Act is the law that controls how people can access information from NSW government agencies.

It started on 1 July 2009, replacing an older law called the Freedom of Information Act.

The GIPA Act creates a system to make government information easier to access. It also encourages agencies to share as much information as possible.

Under this law, the IRO provides information in four main ways:
open access information (available on the website)
Proactive release (information shared regularly)
Informal access (you can ask for it)
Formal applications (a written request if needed)

Ways you can access information

1. Check the website (Open access information)

A lot of information is already available online for free.

This includes things like:

2. Information released proactively

The IRO may also publish extra information that people might find useful. This can include:

guidelines
brochures
bulletins
fact sheets
statistical information

This information is usually free or low cost.

3. Ask for it informally

If you can’t find what you need online, you can ask for it.

In some cases, the IRO can give you the information without a formal process.

Examples of what you might get this way:

your personal information
copies of documents sent to us by you
applications and supporting documents sent to us by you
information that is already public elsewhere

There is usually:

No application form
No fee

Information may be released with deletions, released subject to reasonable conditions, or released in a preferred form. We may impose conditions on the use or disclosure of information that we release in response to an informal request.

If you would like to make an informal request for information, please email the IRO Privacy Officer at [email protected].

4. Make a formal application

If the information is not available online or through a simple request, you can apply formally.

A formal access applications:

Must be in writing
Clearly states what information you want
May include a fee

Find out more about how to make a formal application.

When information may not be shared

Sometimes information cannot be shared.

This happens when there is a strong public reason not to release it, such as:

Protecting someone’s privacy
Legal restrictions
Security concerns

Disclosure log

We keep a disclosure log of information we have already released through formal applications.

This log:

Lists information that has been released to applicants
Includes information that may also be useful to other people
Helps us share more information with the public

It is another way we make information easier to access.

Agency information guide

We publish an Agency Information Guide as required by the GIPA Act. This guide:

Explains what we do
Describes the types of information we hold
Shows you how to access that information

It is a helpful starting point if you want to understand what information is available.