APS Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Unit Practice Guides
To: Freedom of Information Officer
Australian Public Service Commission
This is a formal application under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) for access to documents held by the Australian Public Service Commission.
I seek copies of all documents that constitute the “practice guides” produced, endorsed, or referenced by the APS Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Unit, as mentioned on the APS website at https://www.apsc.gov.au/working-aps/dive... . Specifically, this request includes:
• All current and historical versions of these practice guides.
• Any supporting materials, explanatory notes, implementation instructions, or internal presentations used in developing or delivering these guides.
• Documents outlining the guides’ intended audience, objectives, and scope, including accompanying circulars, briefings, or related correspondence concerning their dissemination within APS agencies.
• Documents showing any revisions, withdrawals, or updates to these guides since January 2020, including material explaining the reasons for such changes.
Due to the significant public interest in transparency and best practice for mental health and suicide prevention in the public service, I request that any processing charges ordinarily applicable to this request be waived. Disclosure of these documents will promote informed public discussion and accountability, and is likely to benefit a substantial section of the public.
Yours faithfully,
Ace Chapman
OFFICIAL
Dear Ace Chapman
Our reference: LEX 1620
I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your request made under the Freedom
of Information Act 1982.
The timeframe for responding to your request is 30 days from the date of
receipt. Therefore, the due date for this request is 13 October 2025.
This timeframe may be extended in certain circumstances. You will be
notified if these circumstances arise and the timeframe is extended.
Kind regards,
FOI Officer
Legal Services
[1]Title: "" - Description: ""Australian Public Service Commission
[2][IMG][3][IMG][4][IMG]w: [5]www.apsc.gov.au
OFFICIAL
Good morning Ace Chapman
Please find attached consultation notice for your attention.
Please note the statutory timeframe to respond to your request is paused
while we consult with you. We will advise you of the new due date for your
request when the consultation period is finished.
Kind regards
FOI Officer
Legal Services
[1]Title: "" - Description: ""Australian Public Service Commission
[2][IMG][3][IMG][4][IMG]w: [5]www.apsc.gov.au
From: FOI <[6][email address]>
Sent: Monday, 15 September 2025 3:45 PM
To: [7][FOI #13642 email]
Cc: FOI <[8][email address]>
Subject: Acknowledgment | FOI | APS Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Unit Practice Guides | LEX 1620 [SEC=OFFICIAL]
OFFICIAL
Dear Ace Chapman
Our reference: LEX 1620
I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your request made under the Freedom
of Information Act 1982.
The timeframe for responding to your request is 30 days from the date of
receipt. Therefore, the due date for this request is 13 October 2025.
This timeframe may be extended in certain circumstances. You will be
notified if these circumstances arise and the timeframe is extended.
Kind regards,
FOI Officer
Legal Services
[9]Title: "" - Description: ""Australian Public Service Commission
[10][IMG][11][IMG][12][IMG]w: [13]www.apsc.gov.au
Dear FOI Decision Maker,
I refer to your consultation notice dated 29 September 2025 in relation to my FOI request (LEX 1620).
In order to narrow the scope and assist with processing, I am amending my request so that it is limited to the current live versions only of the “practice guides” produced, endorsed or referenced by the APS Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Unit, as listed on the APSC website.
This revised request expressly excludes all earlier or historical versions, drafts, working papers, superseded documents, change logs, emails and attachments.
Please treat this correspondence as a formal variation of my request under section 24AB(6) of the FOI Act.
Yours sincerely,
Ace Chapman
OFFICIAL
Dear Ace Chapman
Thank you for your email.
We will continue to process your request with your revised scope in mind.
The revised due date for a decision is 16 October 2025.
Kind regards
FOI Officer
Legal Services
[1]Title: "" - Description: ""Australian Public Service Commission
[2][IMG][3][IMG][4][IMG]w: [5]www.apsc.gov.au
OFFICIAL
Dear Ace Chapman
We refer to your request dated 11 September 2025 seeking access to
documents held by the Australian Public Service Commission under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982.
Please see the attached decision notice in relation to your request.
Kind regards
FOI OFFICER
Legal Services
[1]Title: "" - Description: ""Australian Public Service Commission
[2][IMG][3][IMG][4][IMG]w: [5]www.apsc.gov.au
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