Proactive publication and administrative access

The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) does not restrict any power that an agency has to publish information, including information that is exempt from disclosure under the FOI Act.

Agencies should develop policies that encourage publication of information outside the FOI Act. Agencies and ministers are encouraged to develop procedures that allow information to be released as a matter of course, see s 3A and our FOI Guidelines, Part 1. The FOI Guidelines Part 3 also contains some references to good administrative practice.

Agencies can also find substantial guidance on records management at the Australian Public Service Commission, Commonwealth Ombudsman and National Archives of Australia.