How much does it cost?
No application fee or charges apply if you are seeking personal information that is just
about you (e.g. your medical records, details of employment, etc). However, if your
application is just for your personal information, the agency is entitled to delete al
other information from the requested documents (e.g. the names of doctors or co-
workers).
If you wish to access information that is not just about yourself, you wil need to pay a
$30 application fee. In such a case, an agency may also impose other charges but only
as set out in Schedule 1 to the
Freedom of Information Regulations 1993. Those charges
are:
•
$30 per hour of staff time for dealing with an application. (Agencies cannot charge
for locating the documents within the scope of your request.)
•
$30 per hour for supervision by staff when access is given to inspect documents;
or the time taken by staff to prepare a transcript from a tape or make
photocopies.
•
The actual cost incurred by the agency for preparing a copy of a tape, film or
computerised information, or arranging delivery, packaging and postage of
documents.
•
20 cents per photocopy.
There are no application fees or charges for internal or external reviews.
Estimate of charges
You can ask the agency for an estimate of charges when lodging your access
application. If the charges are likely to exceed $25, the agency must give you an
estimate of charges and ask whether you want to proceed with the application
(section 17).
You must notify the agency within 30 days of your intention to proceed. In some
instances, the agency may require an advance deposit. If you are financially
disadvantaged, advise the agency as a 25% reduction of charges may apply.
If you do not respond to an agency’s estimate of charges or its requirement to pay a
deposit within 30 days, the agency is entitled to conclude that you have withdrawn your
access application
(section 19).
You can apply for review of an agency’s decision to impose a charge or require a
deposit.
www.oic.wa.gov.au/For the public/... (Jan 2018)
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If you have any general enquiries about the FOI process, please see our website or
contact our office.
Note: This Information Sheet is intended as a general guide only and should not be
viewed as legal advice. The Information Commissioner considers each complaint on its
merits and according to the relevant circumstances.
Office of the Information Commissioner
Phone: (08) 6551 7888
Freecall (WA country): 1800 621 244
Fax: (08) 6551 7889
Email: xxxx@xxx.xx.xxx.xx
Web: www.oic.wa.gov.au
Address: Albert Facey House, 469 Wel ington Street, Perth WA 6000
www.oic.wa.gov.au/For the public/... (Jan 2018)
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