Freedom of Information
Information Publication Scheme
The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities is an agency subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) and therefore is required to comply with the Information Publication Scheme established pursuant to Part 2 of the FOI Act.
In particular, section 8(2) of the FOI Act imposes an obligation on the department to publish the following information on its website:
- an agency plan which describes how the department proposes to comply with the Information Publication Scheme requirements
- details of the department's structure
- details of the agency's functions, including its decision making powers and other powers affecting members of the public
- details of appointments of officers
- the department's annual reports
- details of arrangements for members of the public to comment on specific policy proposals for which the department is responsible
- information in documents to which the agency routinely gives access in response to requests made under Part II of the FOI Act
- information that the department routinely provides to the Parliament in response to requests and orders from the Parliament
- details of an officer who can be contacted about access to the department's information or documents under the FOI Act, and
- the department's operational information.
The department publishes the documents required to be published under the Information Publication Scheme on its website.
Agency Plan
Section 8(1) of the FOI Act imposes an obligation on the department to publish an agency plan which describes how the department proposes to comply with the Information Publication Scheme requirements. The agency plan is required to set out the following information:
- the information the department proposes to publish under the Information Publication Scheme;
- how, and to whom, the department proposes to publish the information, and
- other steps the department will take to comply with the Information Publication Scheme requirements.
Download the Agency Plan
What we do
Information published under this heading includes:
- the department's organisation chart
- matters dealt with by the department
- the department's strategic plan
- the department's budget statements
- committee and council membership.
Our reports and responses to Parliament
Information published under this heading includes:
- the department's annual report and other reports to Parliament
- contract lists
- file lists
- grant lists and rebate lists.
Consultation arrangements
The department routinely publishes information on its website regarding consultation opportunities, including information about how and to whom comments may be submitted.
Freedom of Information (including routinely requested information and disclosure log)
The department publishes on its Freedom of Information page information about how to make a FOI request and the address, telephone number and email address for a contact officer who can be contacted about access to the department's information and documents. In addition, information that has been released in response to a request for access to information made under the FOI Act can be obtained from the department's disclosure log.
Operational information
The department publishes on its website a wide range of information used by the department to assist in the exercise of its functions and powers. This information includes, but is not limited to:
- guidelines and template agreements for grant programs
- information to assist members of the public and organisations to comply with statutory requirements, such as guidelines, procedures, application forms, brochures and fact sheets
- policy documents
- tool kits, and
- those materials identified above which relate to what we do and our reports and responses to parliament.
Queries relating to operational information may be directed to the department's Community Information Unit on 1800 803 772 or by email at ciu@environment.gov.au.
Portfolio Agencies
The Department has arrangements in place to assist certain portfolio agencies in processing FOI requests and in complying with the Information Publication Scheme. Further information regarding the following portfolio agencies compliance with the Information Publication Scheme is available on their websites:
- Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme Regulator
- Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder
- National Environmental Protection Council
- National Environmental Protection Council Service Corporation
- Australian Heritage Council
Contacting us
The FOI Contact Officer can be contacted on:
- (02) 6274 2098
- foi@environment.gov.au
Further information
Further information on the FOI Act can be found at the website of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
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