Freedom of Information

Overview

The concept of Freedom of Information refers to a citizen's right to obtain information from government affecting him or her.

In Australia there are two levels to the law of Freedom of Information, or 'FOI' as it is commonly called:

• There is a scheme applying to Commonwealth Government agencies under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (This is discussed at Freedom of Information at Commonwealth Level); and
• each State and Territory also has its own scheme applying to government agencies at that level. The ACT's scheme is outlined at Freedom of Information in the ACT. See also the discussion of FOI in the ACT Environmental Law Handbook.