Australian Government
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
3 September 2013
Mr Michael McCarthy
Email: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
In reply please quote:
FOI Request: FA13/08/00301
File Number: ADF2013/25068
Dear Mr McCarthy
Freedom of Information request – Notice that applicant is liable to pay a charge (s.29)
This letter refers to your request received on 1 August 2013 seeking access under the
Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act) to the following documents:
‘We have requested a copy of the abovementioned labour agreement from my employer
Aurizon/QR NATIONAL/AUSTRALIAN RAILROAD GROUP, as well as the immigration
agent Julie Williams @ Migration Downunder. They are refusing to supply me with a copy,
alternatively the reference number of the agreement, and I believe I and my fellow employees
are entitled to it..’
I am writing to advise you of my decision that you are liable to pay a charge in respect of the
processing of your request. I am an officer authorised under s.23(1) of the FOI Act to make decisions
in relation to FOI requests.
In accordance with s.29 of the FOI Act and the
Freedom of Information Charges Regulations 1982,
my preliminary assessment of the charge you are liable to pay is $52.25
Basis for my preliminary assessment of the charge
I have assessed the work the department would need to do to process your request and have calculated
the following breakdown of charges.
Document estimate
Number of relevant documents: 1 documents
Number of relevant pages: 19 pages
6 Chan Street Belconnen ACT 2617
PO Box 25 BELCONNEN ACT 2616 • Telephone 02 6264 1111 • Facsimile 02 6225 6970 • Website: www.immi.gov.au
Processing charges
Search and retrieval
Task
Time (hours)
Cost @ $15/hr
Search and retrieval of relevant electronic and registry files
0.17
$2.50
Search and retrieval of relevant pages in file
0.75
$11.25
Preparation of schedule of documents
0.05
$0.75
Search and retrieval subtotal
.97
$14.50
Decision making
Task
Time (hours)
Cost @ $20/hr
Examination of documents
1.58
$31.67
Consultation with third parties
2.00
$40.00
Preparation of notice of access decision
3.30
$66.08
Decision making subtotal (before deduction of 5 free hours)
6.89
$137.75
Decision making subtotal (after deduction of 5 free hours)
1.89
$37.75
Estimated totals and deposit
Estimated total
$52.25
Deposit required
$20.00
Your right to contend the charge
Under the FOI Act, you have the right to contend that the charge:
• has been wrongly assessed; or
• should be reduced; or
• should not be imposed.
In deciding whether a charge should be reduced or not imposed, the decision maker in our agency
must take into account:
• whether payment of the charge, or part of it, would cause you financial hardship
• whether giving access to the documents is in the general public interest or in the interest of a
substantial section of the public
• any other relevant matter.
A $20 deposit is required.
The deposit is not refundable except in some limited circumstances, for example, if the department
fails to make a decision on your request within the statutory time limit, or may be refundable in part if
the final charge is less than the deposit paid.
The time you have to respond and what you need to do
You have 30 days to respond in writing to this notice. We therefore expect a response from you by 3
October 2013. By that date, you must do one of the following things in writing:
• agree to pay the charge agree to pay the charge (by completing the credit card deduction
authorisation form or providing a cheque or money order);
• contend that the charge has been wrongly assessed, or should be reduced or not imposed and
explain your reasons; or
• withdraw your request.
If you do not provide us with a written response by 3 October 2013 your request will be taken to have
been withdrawn.
The period for processing your request is suspended from the day that you receive this notice and
resumes on either the day you pay the charge (in full or the required deposit) or the day on which this
agency makes a decision not to impose a charge.
How to pay the deposit
The deposit can be paid by cheque, money order or credit card.
Cheques and money orders should be made payable to "Collector of Public Monies DIAC" and sent
to:
FOI & Privacy Policy Section
Department of Immigration & Citizenship
PO Box 25
BELCONNEN ACT 2616
Should you choose to pay by credit card, please fill out the attached credit card authorisation form and
forward to FOI & Privacy Policy Section at the above address, or email to xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx.
Contacting the FOI Section
If you wish to discuss this matter, I can be contacted using the details provided below.
Service satisfaction
The department remains committed to ensuring that all clients, both in Australia and overseas, receive
not only fair and reasonable treatment, but also an efficient standard of service that is sensitive to each
client's needs.
To provide a compliment, complaint or suggestion you can:
• telephone the Global Feedback Unit (toll-free within Australia) on 13 31 77 9 am to 4 pm
• complete a feedback form online at www.immi.gov.au
• write to the Manager, Global Feedback Unit, Reply Paid 241, Melbourne Victoria 3001 Australia
• contact us directly through any of our offices.
Yours sincerely
Mel Heggart
PN 60008303
FOI Case Officer
FOI & Privacy Policy
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Telephone
02 6264 3131
Email
xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx
Attachments
Client service information
Credit card deduction authorisation form
CLIENT SERVICE INFORMATION
Client Service Charter
Our Client Service Charter explains our service commitment to you. We are committed to
service delivery that is timely, open and accountable, and responsive to your needs. The
Charter explains how you can help us and how you can provide feedback or make a
complaint. You can read our Client Service Charter on our website, or in a printed copy
available from any of our offices.
Service satisfaction The department remains committed to ensuring that all clients, both in Australia and overseas,
receive not only fair and reasonable treatment, but also an efficient standard of service that is
sensitive to each client’s needs.
To provide a compliment, complaint or suggestion you can:
telephone the Global Feedback Unit on 13 31 77 during business hours
complete a feedback form online at www.immi.gov.au
write to:
The Manager
Global Feedback Unit
GPO Box 241
Melbourne VIC 3001
Australia
contact us directly through any of our offices.
Australian Government
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Credit Card Deduction Authorisation Form
The completed form should be returned either by mail or email (scan form with signature) to the
Department of Immigration & Citizenship to authorise deduction of the payment indicated from your
credit card.
FOI & Privacy Policy Section
or email: xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx
Department of Immigration & Citizenship
PO Box 25
Belconnen ACT 2616
DEBTOR DETAILS
Name
Address
Contact Numbers
Mobile: Telephone:
Reference
FA
CREDIT CARD DETAILS
Card number
Expiry date
Name on card
Authorised signature
Office Use Only:
Date
Amount Account Receipt No
Date
Amount Account
Receipt No
Financial Operations Branch
6 Chan Street Belconnen ACT 2617
PO Box 25 BELCONNEN ACT 2616 • Telephone (02) 6264 1111 • Facsimile (02) 6264 2005 • Website: www.immi.gov.au
