Legal compliance and remediation program
Dear Services Australia,
I wish to request:
The most recent dashboard, registry, ledger or other document which lists or describes the 144 breaches of the law currently being investigated by Services Australia as part of the above programme. I'm sure the programme of work is hosted centrally in some kind of registry or dashboard. If the active work programme is separated over multiple dashboards, registries or spreadsheets, this request asks for the most recent version of those.
The existence of these were disclosed by your Deputy Secretary in Estimates this week.
To ensure the request is of a controllable scope:
- I limit my request to the title or name given to each issue in the document, and any factual description of it. I do not seek deliberative material or legal advice relating the issue, the perspectives of the policy owners or oversight bodies on the issue, any status (green/red/amber), discussion of fixes or proposed fixes. To be clear: I seek only the factual material naming or describing the issue.
- I limit my request to entries where DSS or the Department of Employment or Workplace Relations are the listed policy stakeholder.
- I do not seek the entries in relation to income apportionment or the child support (below 35% care) issue disclosed by DSS last week.
There is a high public interest involved in the disclosure of maladministration and clear benefit to prompt disclosure for individuals' appeal rights. Prompt disclosure will be of great assistance to those seeking law reform, accountability and practical remedies for their clients. They should not be asked to wait while the APS briefs itself back and forth. It is important to immediately communicate known issues to the public who bear the financial and human costs.
I do note the agency (in a perhaps surprising development for affected policy entities) committed to returning a list of the 144 issues to the Senate. I will withdraw this request in the event such a list (with adequate descriptive detail) is published prior to the statutory processing period for this request.
Yours faithfully,
Frank N Fearless
Thank you for contacting the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of Services
Australia (the Agency).
This email acknowledges your correspondence and provides general FOI
information .
We are currently experiencing a higher than usual volume of requests,
which has resulted in some delays in our review and response process. We
are seeking your agreement to extend the processing time by an additional
30 days. If you agree to this additional time, we would appreciate it if
you could reply to this email with “I agree to a 30 day extension of time”
at your earliest opportunity.
Administrative release of documents
The Agency uses administrative access arrangements ('the arrangements') to
release certain types of documents outside the FOI Act. We will advise you
if the documents you seek are suitable for release to you under the
arrangements. If you consent to receiving documents under the
arrangements, please reply to this email with “I agree to receive
documents via the arrangements where appropriate”.
Personal information of Agency staff
As part of the FOI process, we seek your consent to remove any information
that may identify junior staff. Please reply to this email with “I agree
to exclude staff details”.
Once you consent to remove this information, it will be irrelevant under
Section 22 of the FOI Act.
How we will send documents to you
We will use this email address to send you documents. We will advise you
if we are unable to send documents to you via email due to their size.
How long do I have to wait?
Unless your request has been extended, we are required to notify you
within 30 days.
Requesting a formal external review of a FOI deemed refusal decision
After the due date has past and you did not receive a decision, the
request becomes a ‘deemed refusal decision’. You may request the
Information Commissioner to review the ‘deemed refusal decision’. For
further information, see [1]Apply for an Information Commissioner review |
OAIC (or visit [2]www.oaic.gov.au).
References
Visible links
1. https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
2. http://www.oaic.gov.au/
Dear Frank N Fearless
I am writing to you in regards to your below Freedom of Information
request to Services Australia (the Agency) as follows:
The most recent dashboard, registry, ledger or other document which lists
or describes the 144 breaches of the law currently being investigated by
Services Australia as part of the above programme. I’m sure the programme
of work is hosted centrally in some kind of registry or dashboard. If the
active work programme is separated over multiple dashboards, registries or
spreadsheets, this request asks for the most recent version of those.
The existence of these were disclosed by your Deputy Secretary in
Estimates this week.
To ensure the request is of a controllable scope:
- I limit my request to the title or name given to each issue in the
document, and any factual description of it. I do not seek deliberative
material or legal advice relating the issue, the perspectives of the
policy owners or oversight bodies on the issue, any status
(green/red/amber), discussion of fixes or proposed fixes. To be clear: I
seek only the factual material naming or describing the issue.
- I limit my request to entries where DSS or the Department of Employment
or Workplace Relations are the listed policy stakeholder.
- I do not seek the entries in relation to income apportionment or the
child support (below 35% care) issue disclosed by DSS last week.
There is a high public interest involved in the disclosure of
maladministration and clear benefit to prompt disclosure for individuals’
appeal rights. Prompt disclosure will be of great assistance to those
seeking law reform, accountability and practical remedies for their
clients. They should not be asked to wait while the APS briefs itself back
and forth. It is important to immediately communicate known issues to the
public who bear the financial and human costs.
I do note the agency (in a perhaps surprising development for affected
policy entities) committed to returning a list of the 144 issues to the
Senate. I will withdraw this request in the event such a list (with
adequate descriptive detail) is published prior to the statutory
processing period for this request.
Request for Extension of Time
The current due date for processing your request is 5 January 2026. Due to
the Agency’s Reduced Activity Period from 24 December 2025 to 1 January
2026, and the high volume of FOI requests the Agency is currently
managing, we will not be in a position to provide you with an outcome by
this date.
Therefore, we respectfully request a 30-day extension of time to process
this request. The effect of the extension would mean the new decision due
date would be 2 February 2026. If we are able to process your request and
provide you with a decision before this date, we will do so.
If you agree to this extension, please respond to this email with ‘I
agree’ by close of business 22 December 2025 if possible.
If a decision is not notified to you within time, your request will be
deemed to be refused by operation of the FOI Act. Therefore, should you
not agree to the extension of time under section 15AA of the FOI Act, my
intention is to apply to the Office of the Australian Information
Commissioner (OAIC) for an extension.
We thank you for your patience and understanding as we process your
request.
Kind regards,
Cherie
Senior FOI Officer
FOI & Reviews Branch, Legal Services Corporate Division
[1]Visual brand element showing Services Australia progress symbol to left
with Services Australia wording to the right of the symbol. Underneath is
servicesaustralia.gov.au and icons representing our social media accounts.
To follow us on social media go to servicesaustralia.gov.au/socialmedia
Aligning the bottom of the signature block is the Services Australia
indigenous artwork strip consisting of cultural elements depicting our
agency’s progress story for First Nations people.
Services Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands we
live on. We pay our respects to all Elders, past and present, of all
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations.
References
Visible links
Dear Frank N Fearless,
I am writing in regards to your Freedom of Information request to Services
Australia (the Agency), LEX 89050.
On 17 December 2025 the Agency wrote to you requesting a 30 day extension
of time to process your request (email below). We sought a response from
you by COB 22 December 2025. To date it appears we are yet to receive
your response.
The Agency is required to provide you with a decision on your request by 5
January 2026, however we will not be in a position to do so. Also noting
the Agency’s Reduced Activity Period is from 24 December 2025 to 1 January
2026.
As a decision will not be provided by this date, the principal officer of
the Agency will be deemed to have refused your request on 5 January 2026
under section 15AC of the FOI Act.
We apologise for the delay and any inconvenience this may have caused.
Please be assured that we are continuing to progress your Freedom of
Information request and are actively working to finalise the matter.
As you will not receive a decision before the due date, you can apply to
the Information Commissioner for review of what is called a ‘deemed
decision’. For further information, see Apply for an Information
Commissioner review | OAIC (or visit [1]www.oaic.gov.au).
If you agree to the extension of time, please respond to this email with
‘I agree’ by close of business 23 December 2025 if possible.
Kind regards,
Leanne, Senior FOI Officer
FOI and Reviews Branch, Legal Services Division
[2]Visual brand element showing Services Australia progress symbol to left
with Services Australia wording to the right of the symbol. Underneath is
servicesaustralia.gov.au and icons representing our social media accounts.
To follow us on social media go to servicesaustralia.gov.au/socialmedia
Aligning the bottom of the signature block is the Services Australia
indigenous artwork strip consisting of cultural elements depicting our
agency’s progress story for First Nations people.
Services Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands we
live on. We pay our respects to all Elders, past and present, of all
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations.
This email and any attachments may contain information subject to legal
professional privilege or information that is otherwise sensitive or
confidential. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you are
prohibited from using or disseminating this communication. If you have
received this communication in error please notify the sender immediately
and permanently delete this email.
From: FREEDOMOFINFORMATION <[Services Australia request email]>
Sent: Wednesday, 17 December 2025 9:45 AM
To: 'Frank N Fearless' <[FOI #14071 email]>
Cc: FREEDOMOFINFORMATION <[Services Australia request email]>
Subject: LEX 89050 – Communication – Request for extension of time (please
respond by 22/12/25) [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear Frank N Fearless
I am writing to you in regards to your below Freedom of Information
request to Services Australia (the Agency) as follows:
The most recent dashboard, registry, ledger or other document which lists
or describes the 144 breaches of the law currently being investigated by
Services Australia as part of the above programme. I’m sure the programme
of work is hosted centrally in some kind of registry or dashboard. If the
active work programme is separated over multiple dashboards, registries or
spreadsheets, this request asks for the most recent version of those.
The existence of these were disclosed by your Deputy Secretary in
Estimates this week.
To ensure the request is of a controllable scope:
- I limit my request to the title or name given to each issue in the
document, and any factual description of it. I do not seek deliberative
material or legal advice relating the issue, the perspectives of the
policy owners or oversight bodies on the issue, any status
(green/red/amber), discussion of fixes or proposed fixes. To be clear: I
seek only the factual material naming or describing the issue.
- I limit my request to entries where DSS or the Department of Employment
or Workplace Relations are the listed policy stakeholder.
- I do not seek the entries in relation to income apportionment or the
child support (below 35% care) issue disclosed by DSS last week.
There is a high public interest involved in the disclosure of
maladministration and clear benefit to prompt disclosure for individuals’
appeal rights. Prompt disclosure will be of great assistance to those
seeking law reform, accountability and practical remedies for their
clients. They should not be asked to wait while the APS briefs itself back
and forth. It is important to immediately communicate known issues to the
public who bear the financial and human costs.
I do note the agency (in a perhaps surprising development for affected
policy entities) committed to returning a list of the 144 issues to the
Senate. I will withdraw this request in the event such a list (with
adequate descriptive detail) is published prior to the statutory
processing period for this request.
Request for Extension of Time
The current due date for processing your request is 5 January 2026. Due to
the Agency’s Reduced Activity Period from 24 December 2025 to 1 January
2026, and the high volume of FOI requests the Agency is currently
managing, we will not be in a position to provide you with an outcome by
this date.
Therefore, we respectfully request a 30-day extension of time to process
this request. The effect of the extension would mean the new decision due
date would be 2 February 2026. If we are able to process your request and
provide you with a decision before this date, we will do so.
If you agree to this extension, please respond to this email with ‘I
agree’ by close of business 22 December 2025 if possible.
If a decision is not notified to you within time, your request will be
deemed to be refused by operation of the FOI Act. Therefore, should you
not agree to the extension of time under section 15AA of the FOI Act, my
intention is to apply to the Office of the Australian Information
Commissioner (OAIC) for an extension.
We thank you for your patience and understanding as we process your
request.
Kind regards,
Cherie
Senior FOI Officer
FOI & Reviews Branch, Legal Services Corporate Division
[3]Visual brand element showing Services Australia progress symbol to left
with Services Australia wording to the right of the symbol. Underneath is
servicesaustralia.gov.au and icons representing our social media accounts.
To follow us on social media go to servicesaustralia.gov.au/socialmedia
Aligning the bottom of the signature block is the Services Australia
indigenous artwork strip consisting of cultural elements depicting our
agency’s progress story for First Nations people.
Services Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands we
live on. We pay our respects to all Elders, past and present, of all
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations.
References
Visible links
1. http://www.oaic.gov.au/
Dear Frank N Fearless,
I am writing to provide you with an update on your Freedom of Information
request to Services Australia (the Agency), LEX 89050.
The Agency was required to provide you with a decision on your request by
5 January 2026. As a decision was not provided by this date, the principal
officer of the Agency is deemed to have refused your request under section
15AC of the FOI Act.
To bring the matter back into time the Agency has requested an extension
of time from OAIC under section 15AC of the FOI Act. If granted by OAIC,
this will restore your internal review rights of the FOI decision.
Please note that we are continuing to process your request, and should
OAIC decline the extension of time, we will provide you with a Statement
of Reasons and any documents administratively.
We apologise for the delay and any inconvenience this may have caused.
Please note you can apply to the Information Commissioner for review of
what is called a ‘deemed decision’. For further information, see Apply for
an Information Commissioner review | OAIC (or visit [1]www.oaic.gov.au).
Kind regards,
Leanne, Senior FOI Officer
FOI and Reviews Branch, Legal Services Division
[2]Visual brand element showing Services Australia progress symbol to left
with Services Australia wording to the right of the symbol. Underneath is
servicesaustralia.gov.au and icons representing our social media accounts.
To follow us on social media go to servicesaustralia.gov.au/socialmedia
Aligning the bottom of the signature block is the Services Australia
indigenous artwork strip consisting of cultural elements depicting our
agency’s progress story for First Nations people.
Services Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands we
live on. We pay our respects to all Elders, past and present, of all
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations.
This email and any attachments may contain information subject to legal
professional privilege or information that is otherwise sensitive or
confidential. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you are
prohibited from using or disseminating this communication. If you have
received this communication in error please notify the sender immediately
and permanently delete this email.
References
Visible links
1. http://www.oaic.gov.au/
Our reference: RQ26/00383
Agency reference: LEX 89050
Frank N Fearless
Sent by email: [1][FOI #14071 email]
Extension of time application by Services Australia
Dear Frank N Fearless,
I write to advise that on 14 January 2026, the Office of the Australian
Information Commissioner (the OAIC) received an application from Services
Australia (the Agency) for an extension of time to process your FOI
request of date.
The Agency has applied for an extension of time under s 15AC of the
Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) because a decision on your FOI
request was not made by 3 January 2026.
The Agency has advised the OAIC that:
• the FOI team will need to liaise with the relevant business areas
• the Agency’s reduced activity period has contributed to processing
times
The Agency has requested an extension to 4 March 2026. The decision maker
will take any comments you may have to make into account when deciding the
application.
Please respond to this email by close of business 21 January 2026. Please
do not hesitate to contact us before this date should you require further
time to provide your response. If I do not hear from you by this date, the
decision maker will proceed to make a decision on the basis of the
information provided to the OAIC by the Agency.
You will be notified of the decision once the matter has been finalised.
Further information about extension of time requests may be found on our
website at [2]Extensions of time.
Contact
If you have any questions, please contact me on 1300 363 992 or via email
at [3][email address]. Please quote OAIC reference: RQ26/00383 in all
correspondence.
Kind regards,
Aleksandra Tomic (she/her)
[4][IMG] FOI Case Management Branch
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
Sydney | GPO Box 5288 Sydney NSW 2001
P: 1300 363 992
W: [5]Enquiry form
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 488 064 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[FOI #14071 email]
2. https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. https://www.oaic.gov.au/
5. https://webform.oaic.gov.au/prod?entityt...
Our reference: RQ26/00383
Agency reference: LEX 89050
Agency name: Services Australia
By Email: [Services Australia request email]
Applicant Name: Frank N Fearless
By Email: [FOI #14071 email]
Extension of time under s 15AC
Dear Parties,
Please find attached an extension of time decision relating to the above
referenced FOI request.
Kind regards,
[1][IMG] Melih Sayan
Assistant Review Advisor
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
Sydney NSW | GPO Box 5288 Sydney NSW 2001
P 1300 363 992 E [2][email address]
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 488 064 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. https://www.oaic.gov.au/
2. mailto:[email address]