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01 June 2021 
M/- Sumsi Timonda 
BY EMAIL:  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx 
In reply please quote: 
FOI Request: 
FA 21/05/00289 
File Number: 
OBJ2021/13763   
Dear M/- Timonda 
Freedom of Information (FOI) request - Access Decision 
On 5 May 2021, the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) received a request for access 
to document under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act). 
The purpose of this letter is to provide you with a decision on your request for access under the 
FOI Act. 
1 
Scope of request 
 
You have requested access to the fol owing document: 
 
M5 countries share anonymous fingerprints with their partners. 
 1) Please clarify which data elements are shared automatically when there is a 
positive match.  
2) Please provide screens displayed for Australian caseworkers for a positive match 
(Australia initiated queries). 
2 
Authority to make decision 
I am an officer authorised under section 23 of the FOI Act to make decisions in respect of 
requests to access document or to amend or annotate records. 
3 
Relevant material  
In reaching my decision I referred to the following:  
•  the terms of your request 
•  the FOI Act 
•  Guidelines published by the Office of the Information Commissioner under section 93A 
of the FOI Act (the FOI Guidelines) 
•  advice from Departmental officers with responsibility for matters relating to the 
document to which you sought access 
 
6 Chan Street Belconnen ACT 2616 
PO Box 25 Belconnen ACT 2616 • Telephone: 02 6264 1111 • Fax: 02 6225 6970 • www.homeaffairs.gov.au 
 
 

4 
Document in scope of request 
The Department has identified one document as falling within the scope of your request. 
This document was in the possession of the Department on 5 May 2021 when your request 
was received. 
5 
Decision 
The decision in relation to the document in the possession of the Department which fall 
within the scope of your request is as follows: 
• Release one document in part with deletions
6 
Reasons for Decision 
Detailed reasons for my decision are set out below. 
My findings of fact and reasons for deciding that the exemption provision applies to that 
information are set out below. 
6.1  Section 37 of the FOI Act - Documents Affecting Enforcement of Law and 
Protection of Public Safety 
Section 37(2)(b) of the FOI Act provides that a document is exempt from disclosure if its 
disclosure would, or could reasonably be expected to disclose lawful methods or 
procedures for preventing, detecting, investigating, or dealing with matters arising out of 
breaches or evasions of the law the disclosure of which would or could reasonably likely 
to, prejudice the effectiveness of those methods or procedures. 
I consider that parts of document would, or could reasonably be expected to disclose lawful 
methods or procedures for preventing or detecting breaches or evasions of the law and 
that disclosure would, or would reasonably likely to, prejudice the effectiveness of those 
methods or procedures.  
It is  noted that the Department’s role includes managing the security and integrity of 
Australia's borders.  The Department leads the management of risks to Australia's border 
in close collaboration with other government agencies, including State and Federal law 
enforcement agencies.  As such, the Department's role includes law enforcement functions. 
The disclosure of information within these documents would be reasonably likely to impact 
on ongoing investigative methodology and relationships both domestically and 
internationally that support Australian government investigative capabilities. The release of 
this information would prejudice the effectiveness of those methods or procedures, 
assisting endeavours to evade them and thereby reducing the ability of the Department 
and other law enforcement agencies to protect the borders of Australia. 
I have decided that this information is exempt from disclosure under Section 37(2)(b) of the 
FOI Act. 
6.2  Section 47E of the FOI Act – Operations of Agencies 
Section  47E(d)  of the FOI Act provides that documents are conditionally exempt if 
disclosure would, or could reasonably be expected to, have a substantial adverse effect on 
the proper and efficient conduct of the operations of an agency. 
- 2 –
link to page 3
I consider that the disclosure of the parts of documents marked ‘s47E(d)’ would, or could 
reasonably be expected to, have a substantial adverse effect on the proper and efficient 
conduct of the operations of the Department.   
Managing the security and integrity of Australia's borders is integral to the operations of the 
Department.  Any prejudice to the effectiveness of the operational methods and procedures 
used in undertaking that role would result in a substantial adverse effect on the operations 
of the Department.   
Any disclosure resulting in the prejudice of the effectiveness of the Department’s 
operational methods and procedures would result in the need for this Department, and 
potentially its law enforcement partners, to change those methods and/or procedures to 
avoid jeopardising their future effectiveness. 
I have decided that parts of the documents are conditionally exempt under section 47E(d) 
of the FOI Act.  Access to a conditionally exempt document must generally be given unless 
it would be contrary to the public interest to do so.  I have turned my mind to whether 
disclosure of the information would be contrary to the public interest, and have included 
my reasoning in that regard at paragraph 6.3 below. 
6.3  The public interest – section 11A of the FOI Act 
As I have decided that parts of the document are conditional y exempt, I am now required 
to consider whether access to the conditionally exempt information would be contrary to 
the public interest (section 11A of the FOI Act).  
A part of a document which is conditionally exempt must also meet the public interest test 
in section 11A(5) before an exemption may be claimed in respect of that part.  
In summary, the test is whether access to the conditionally exempt part of the document 
would be, on balance, contrary to the public interest.  
In applying this test, I have noted the objects of the FOI Act and the importance of the other 
factors listed in section 11B(3) of the FOI Act, being whether access to the document would 
do any of the following: 
(a)
promote the objects of this Act (including all the matters set out in sections 3
and 3A)
(b)
inform debate on a matter of public importance
(c)
promote effective oversight of public expenditure
(d)
allow a person to access his or her own personal information.
Having regard to the above I am satisfied that: 
•
Access to the document would promote the objects of the FOI Act.
•
The subject matter of the document does not seem to have a general characteristic
of public importance. The matter has a limited scope and, in my view, would be of
interest to a very narrow section of the public.
•
No insights into public expenditure wil  be provided through examination of the
document.
- 3 –

•
You do not require access to the document in order to access your own personal
information.
I have also considered the fol owing factors that weigh against the release of the 
conditionally exempt information in the document: 
•
Disclosure of the parts of the documents that are conditionally exempt under section
47E(d) of the FOI Act could reasonably be expected to prejudice law enforcement
functions and, as a result, the ability of the Department to protect Australia's borders.
I  consider there to be a strong public interest in ensuring that the ability of the
Department to conduct its law enforcement functions is not compromised or
prejudiced in any way. I consider that this would be contrary to the public interest and
that this factor weighs strongly against disclosure.
I have also had regard to section 11B(4) which sets out the factors which are irrelevant to 
my decision, which are: 
a)
access to the document could result in embarrassment to the Commonwealth
Government, or cause a loss of confidence in the Commonwealth Government
b)
access to the document could result in any person misinterpreting or
misunderstanding the document
c)
the author of the document was (or is) of high seniority in the agency to which
the request for access to the document was made
d)
access to the document could result in confusion or unnecessary debate.
I have not taken into account any of those factors in this decision. 
Upon balancing all of the above relevant public interest considerations, I have concluded 
that  the disclosure of the conditionally exempt information in the documents would be 
contrary to the public interest and it is therefore exempt from disclosure under the FOI Act. 
7 
Legislation 
A copy of the FOI Act is available at https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C2004A02562. 
If you are unable to access the legislation through this website, please contact our office 
for a copy. 
8 
Your Review Rights 
Internal Review 
If you disagree with this decision, you have the right to apply for an internal review by the 
Department of this decision.  Any request for internal review must be provided to the 
Department within 30 days of you being notified of the decision.  Where possible please 
attach reasons why you believe a review of the decision is necessary.  The internal review 
wil  be carried out by an officer other than the original decision maker and the Department 
must make a review decision within 30 days.   
- 4 –

Applications for review should be sent to: 
By email to: xxx.xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx 
OR 
By mail to: 
Freedom of Information Section 
Department of Home Affairs 
PO Box 25 
BELCONNEN   ACT  2617 
Review by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner 
You may apply directly to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) for 
a review of this decision.  You must apply in writing within 60 days of this notice.  For further 
information about review rights and how to submit a request for a review to the OAIC, 
please see Fact Sheet 12 "Freedom of information – Your review rights", available online 
at https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/foi-review-process.   
9 
Making a Complaint 
You may complain to the Australian Information Commissioner about action taken by the 
Department in relation to your request. 
Your enquiries to the Australian Information Commissioner can be directed to: 
Phone 1300 363 992 (local call charge) 
Email  xxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx 
There is no particular form required to make a complaint to the Australian Information 
Commissioner. The request should be in writing and should set out the grounds on which 
it is considered that the action taken in relation to the request should be investigated and 
identify the Department of Home Affairs as the relevant agency. 
10  Contacting the FOI Section 
Should you wish to discuss this decision, please do not hesitate to contact the FOI Section 
at xxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx.  
Kind regards 
[signed electronically] 
Simon 
Position number: 60008194 
Authorised Decision Maker 
Department of Home Affairs 
- 5 –

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