If not delivered return to PO Box 7820 Canberra BC ACT 2610
9 August 2024
Our reference: LEX 80281
Ben Fairless
Right to Know
By email: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Dear Ben
Decision on your Freedom of Information Request - Full Access
I refer to your request received by Services Australia (the Agency) on 25 June 2024 for access
under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act) to the following documents:
Please treat this request administratively if possible.
You publish Operational information here:
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Foperational.ser
vicesaustralia.gov.au%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cfreedomofinformation%40servicesaus
tralia.gov.au%7Cdd56a4d38308457ea6b708dc94e30e70%7C627250e63e294861a0
84aad68ccfcccc%7C0%7C0%7C638548950236319944%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbG
Zsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0
%3D%7C40000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=lWTRh8%2B%2FGdAiRY70nkKjtxfcLyyXIpE0
CqJP3Gub1qc%3D&reserved=0
I am requesting a document (or documents) which detail the process that a document
goes through to make it onto the Operational Information portal. This would include the
process to determine if a document will be published in full or will be published as "FOI
Exempt".
My decision
The Agency holds 2 documents (totalling 16 pages) relevant to your request.
I have decided to grant you
full access to the documents.
Please see
Attachment A for a schedule of the documents being released.
I have determined it is appropriate for irrelevant information outside the scope of your request
to be deleted from the documents in accordance with section 22 of the FOI Act. As such, a
number of pages have no content once out of scope or irrelevant information has been
redacted and therefore those pages are blank and not provided.
On 27 June 2024, the Agency acknowledged your request and sought your agreement to an
extension of time to process your request under section 15AA of the FOI Act.
PAGE 1 OF 5
You responded on 1 July 2024 and agreed to extend the processing timeframe by 30 days,
making the new due date 26 August 2024. We advised that if we were able to provide you with
a decision sooner, we would do so. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
(OAIC) was notified of the extension.
How we will send your documents to you
The documents are attached.
You can ask for a review of my decision
If you disagree with any part of my decision you can ask for a review. There are two ways you
can do this. You can ask for an internal review from within the Agency or external review by
the Australian Information Commissioner. See
Attachment B for more information about how
to arrange a review.
Further assistance
If you have any questions, please email xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Yours sincerely
Cherie
Authorised FOI Decision Maker
Freedom of Information Team
FOI and Reviews Branch | Legal Services Division
Services Australia
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If not delivered return to PO Box 7820 Canberra BC ACT 2610
Attachment B
INFORMATION ON RIGHTS OF REVIEW
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
Asking for a full explanation of a FOI decision
Before you ask for a formal review of a FOI decision, you can contact us to discuss your
request. We will explain the decision to you. This gives you a chance to correct
misunderstandings.
Asking for a formal review of an FOI decision
If you still believe a decision is incorrect, the FOI Act gives you the right to apply for a review
of the decision. Under sections 54 and 54L of the FOI Act, you can apply for a review of an
FOI decision by:
1. an Internal Review Officer in the Agency, and/or
2. the Australian Information Commissioner.
Applying for an internal review by an Internal Review Officer
If you apply for internal review, a different decision maker to the Authorised Agency Officer
who made the original decision will carry out the review. The Internal Review Officer will
consider all aspects of the original decision and make a new decision. An application for
internal review must be:
• made in writing
• made within 30 days of receiving this letter, and
• sent to the address at the top of the first page of this letter or by email to
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Note: You do not need to fill in a form. However, it is a good idea to set out any relevant
submissions you would like the Internal Review Officer to further consider, and your reasons
for disagreeing with the decision.
Applying for external review by the Australian Information Commissioner
If you do not agree with the original decision or the internal review decision, you can ask the
Australian Information Commissioner to review the decision.
If you do not receive a decision from an Agency Internal Review Officer within 30 days of
applying, you can ask the Australian Information Commissioner for a review of the original
FOI decision.
You will have 60 days to apply in writing for a review by the Australian Information
Commissioner.
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You can lodge your application:
Online:
www.oaic.gov.au
Post:
Australian Information Commissioner
GPO Box 5218
SYDNEY NSW 2001
Email:
xxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx
Note: The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner generally prefers FOI
applicants to seek internal review before applying for external review by the Australian
Information Commissioner.
Important:
• If you are applying online, the application form the 'FOI Review Form' is available at
Information Commissioner Review Application form
• If you have one, you should include with your application a copy of the Agency's
decision on your FOI request
• Include your contact details
• Set out your reasons for objecting to the Agency's decision.
Complaints to the Australian Information Commissioner and Commonwealth
Ombudsman
Australian Information Commissioner
You may complain to the Australian Information Commissioner concerning action taken by
an agency in the exercise of powers or the performance of functions under the FOI Act.
There is no fee for making a complaint. A complaint to the Australian Information
Commissioner must be made in writing. The Australian Information Commissioner's contact
details are:
Telephone: 1300 363 992
Website: www.oaic.gov.au
Smart Form: FOI Complaint Form
Commonwealth Ombudsman
You may also complain to the Commonwealth Ombudsman concerning action taken by an
agency in the exercise of powers or the performance of functions under the FOI Act. There is
no fee for making a complaint. A complaint to the Commonwealth Ombudsman may be
made in person, by telephone or in writing. The Commonwealth Ombudsman's contact
details are:
Phone: 1300 362 072
Website: www.ombudsman.gov.au
The Commonwealth Ombudsman generally prefers applicants to seek review before
complaining about a decision.
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