Department Reference: FOI 3463 and 3469
Mr Ben Fairless
via email:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Dear Mr Fairless
NOTICE OF DECISION UNDER SECTION 24A
OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
I refer to your request of 11 December 2021 to the Department of Health (the
department) seeking access under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (the FOI
Act) to documents. Your request is in the following terms:
Media reporting says that the Minister rejected the recent rate increase applications
from all health funds for 2022. This request is for the documents submitted to the
minister from each health fund for approval that were rejected by the minister.
Information about changes to Private Health Fund Premiums
On 23 December 2021, the Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Greg Hunt MP,
announced that he had approved all private health insurers’ proposed changes to
premiums. The average premium increase for 2022 of 2.70 percent is the lowest annual
average increase since 2001. More information is available here:
https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-greg-hunt-mp/media/delivering-
australias-lowest-private-health-insurance-premium-change-in-21-years
FOI decision
I am authorised under subsection 23(1) of the FOI Act to make decisions in relation
to Freedom of Information requests. I am writing to notify you of my decision in
response to your request.
Appropriate steps have been taken to find documents you have requested including
consultation with relevant departmental officers and searches of departmental file
management systems.
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I am satisfied, on the basis of the consultation undertaken and the searches
conducted, and as a result of the recently approved changes, that the department
does not hold any documents referred to in your request.
This decision is made under section 24A of the FOI Act.
FOI review rights
If you are dissatisfied with my decision, you may apply for a review.
Internal review
Under section 54 of the FOI Act, you may apply for internal review of this decision.
In accordance with section 54B of the FOI Act, an application for internal review
must be made in writing within 30 days after the day you are notified of this
decision (or such further period as the department allows). To assist in the internal
review process, please provide reasons you consider the review of my decision is
necessary.
The internal review will be carried out by another officer of this department within
30 days of receipt of your application.
An application for an internal review should be addressed to:
Email:
xxx@xxxxxx.xxx.xx
Mail: FOI Unit (MDP 516)
Department of Health
GPO Box 9848
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Information Commissioner review
Alternatively, under section 54L of the FOI Act, you may apply to the Office of the
Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) for review of my decision by the
Information Commissioner (IC).
In accordance with subsection 54S(1) of the FOI Act, an IC review application in
relation to a decision covered by subsection 54L(2) (access refusal decisions) must be
made in writing within 60 days after the day you are notified of this decision (if you
do not request an internal review).
More information about IC review is available on the OAIC website at:
https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/reviews/
The OAIC can be contacted by:
Phone: 1300 363 992
Email:
xxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx
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Complaints
If you are dissatisfied with action taken by the department, you may also make a
complaint.
Complaint to the department
Complaints to the department are covered by the department’s privacy policy. A
form for lodging a complaint directly to the department is available on the
department’s website:
https://www.health.gov.au/about-us/contact-us/complaints
Complaint to the IC
Information about making a complaint to the IC about action taken by the
department is available on the OAIC website:
https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/reviews-and-complaints/make-
an-foi-complaint/
Relevant provisions of the FOI Act
The FOI Act, including the provisions referred to in this letter, can be accessed from
the Federal Register of Legislation website:
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2021C00382
Contacts
If you require clarification of any of the matters discussed in this letter you should
contact the department’s Freedom of Information Unit on (02) 6289 1666 or at
xxx@xxxxxx.xxx.xx.
Yours sincerely
Brian Kelleher
Assistant Secretary
Private Health Industry Branch
5 January 2022