Freedom of Information
The ACT Ombudsman performs the functions and exercises the powers required of the Ombudsman under Part 7 of the Freedom of Information Act 2016 (ACT) (FOI Act) including to:
- conduct merits reviews (Ombudsman review) of access decisions
- consider requests to grant extensions of time to decide access applications
- monitor the operation of the FOI Act, including the publication of Open Access information by agencies and Ministers, and agency compliance with the FOI Act
- make open access information declarations
- make guidelines for the FOI Act, and
- investigate complaints about an agency or Ministers’ action in relation to their functions under the FOI Act.
FOI Guidelines
We have complied a listing of FOI Guidelines for you.
FOI Templates
We have complied a listing of FOI templates for you, you can access them by selecting the '+' below.
- Acknowledgement of access application
- Acknowledgement of extension
- Application not valid and will not be processed
- Clarification request
- Confirmation of scope
- Fee estimate
- Application processing suspended
- Application closed - suspended for more than three months
- Email to business unit - information search request
- Access application transfer - letter to transferee
- Access application transfer - letter to applicant
- Information held by two or more agencies
- Access application transfer - letter to applicant
- Third party consultation - file note
- Third party consultation - notice to third party
- Third party consultation - notice to applicant
- Third party consultation - decision notice covering letter
- Consultation notice to applicant - refusal to deal
- Access application decision notice
- Decision not made in time - letter to the Ombudsman
- Third party consultation - notice of Ombudsman review
Latest News
- Association of Information Access Commissioners of Australia and New Zealand (AIAC) | Communiqué
02 April 2025
Information commissioners and ombudsmen call on public sector leaders to be stewards of government information.
- Association of Information Access Commissioners of Australia and New Zealand (AIAC) | Communiqué
15 March 2024
Information Commissioners and Ombudsman look to the future: embracing innovation and strengthening independence.
- International Access to Information Day
International Access to Information Day (IAID) is held on 28 September every year and recognises the community’s right to access government-held information.
- Association of Information Access Commissioners of Australia and New Zealand (AIAC) | Communiqué
16 November 2023
Association of Information Access Commissioners call upon all governments to appropriately respect and resource the right to information.