communication with DSS over National Autism Strategy
Dear Department of Education,
Please provide, in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 1982, information about (records of) communication since 1/9/2024 relating to the National Autism Strategy (NAS) that was released earlier this year (2025) between officials in your department and the Department of Social Security (especially its NAS Oversight Committee or its Secretariat).
Yours faithfully,
Bob Buckley (A4 Co-convenor)
You have contacted the Freedom of Information Team at the Commonwealth
Department of Education (the department). This email address is only for
applications for access to documents under the FOI Act. The department is
unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this email address,
and accordingly, emails sent to this email address that are not FOI
related will not be responded to or forwarded. If you have a non-FOI
related enquiry for the department, you can contact the department by
using the online enquiry form
[1]https://www.education.gov.au/about-us/co...
of Information TeamDepartment of Education
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 488 064 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. https://www.education.gov.au/about-us/co...
You have contacted the Freedom of Information Team at the Commonwealth
Department of Education (the department). If your email relates to a
Freedom of Information (FOI) application made under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act), the department will respond as soon
as possible.
This email address is only for applications for access to documents under
the FOI Act. The department is unable to respond to non-FOI related
enquiries sent to this email address, and accordingly, emails sent to this
email address that are not FOI related will not be responded to or
forwarded.
CRICOS Codes
If you are seeking information relating to the Commonwealth Register of
Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), information about
Australian education providers offering courses to people studying in
Australia on student visas and the courses offered, including CRICOS
codes, is available at [1]http://cricos.education.gov.au//. Monthly CRICOS
data exports are available at [2]https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/cricos.
The department is unable to respond to non-FOI related CRICOS enquiries
sent to this email address.
Non-FOI Enquiries
If you have a non-FOI related enquiry for the department, you can contact
the department by using the online enquiry form at
[3]https://www.education.gov.au/about-us/co....
Regards,
Freedom of Information Team
Department of Education
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 566 046 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. http://cricos.education.gov.au/
2. https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/cricos
3. https://www.education.gov.au/about-us/co...
Dear Mr Buckley
I refer to your request for access under the Freedom of Information Act
1982 (FOI Act) to the following:
“information about (records of) communication since 1/9/2024 relating to
the National Autism Strategy (NAS) that was released earlier this year
(2025) between officials in your department and the Department of Social
Security (especially its NAS Oversight Committee or its Secretariat)”
Your request was received by the Department of Education (department) on
19 June 2025 and the 30-day statutory period for processing your request
commenced from the day after that date. The period of 30 days may be
extended if we need to consult third parties or for other reasons
permitted under the FOI Act. We will advise you if this happens.
Charges
The department will advise you if a charge is payable to process your
request and the amount of any such charge as soon as practicable. No
charge is payable for providing a person with their own personal
information.
Your address
The FOI Act requires that you provide us with an address that we can send
notices to. You have advised your electronic address is
[1][FOI #13313 email]. Unless you tell us
otherwise, we will send all notices and correspondence to this address.
Disclosure log
Information released under the FOI Act may be published on a disclosure
log on our website, subject to certain exceptions. These exceptions
include where publication of personal, business, professional or
commercial information would be unreasonable.
Exclusion of employee details
To the extent the department has documents in its possession that fall
within the scope of your request, we will treat the names, signatures,
position titles, staff identification numbers and direct contact details
of Commonwealth employees as irrelevant in accordance with section 22 of
the FOI Act, unless you tell us otherwise by 7 July 2025.
Further assistance
If you have any questions about your request, please email
[2][email address].
Yours sincerely
Freedom of Information Team
Department of Education
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 566 046 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[FOI #13313 email]
2. mailto:[email address]
Dear Mr Buckley
Please find attached correspondence relating to your FOI request.
Kind regards
Freedom of Information Team
Australian Government Department of Education
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 566 046 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
Dear Education - FOI,
I hereby amend my request as follows.
1. Please exclude documents marked 'Cabinet'. I was not aware that such documents might be provided under FoI.
2. please treat my request as two separate requests for the periods a) 1/9/2024 to end of 2024, and b) start of 2025 until 31/3/2025.
Please note that I would like to receive relevant attachments to emails ... since that is usually the purpose of the email.
I confirm that I am "only seeking the final email of email chains within in the scope of [my] request (unless earlier emails in the chain contain attachments not captured by the final email in the chain) and excluding duplicate documents."
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley (A4 Co-convenor)
You have contacted the Freedom of Information Team at the Commonwealth
Department of Education (the department). This email address is only for
applications for access to documents under the FOI Act. The department is
unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this email address,
and accordingly, emails sent to this email address that are not FOI
related will not be responded to or forwarded. If you have a non-FOI
related enquiry for the department, you can contact the department by
using the online enquiry form
[1]https://www.education.gov.au/about-us/co...
of Information TeamDepartment of Education
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 488 064 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. https://www.education.gov.au/about-us/co...
You have contacted the Freedom of Information Team at the Commonwealth
Department of Education (the department). If your email relates to a
Freedom of Information (FOI) application made under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act), the department will respond as soon
as possible.
This email address is only for applications for access to documents under
the FOI Act. The department is unable to respond to non-FOI related
enquiries sent to this email address, and accordingly, emails sent to this
email address that are not FOI related will not be responded to or
forwarded.
CRICOS Codes
If you are seeking information relating to the Commonwealth Register of
Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), information about
Australian education providers offering courses to people studying in
Australia on student visas and the courses offered, including CRICOS
codes, is available at [1]http://cricos.education.gov.au//. Monthly CRICOS
data exports are available at [2]https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/cricos.
The department is unable to respond to non-FOI related CRICOS enquiries
sent to this email address.
Non-FOI Enquiries
If you have a non-FOI related enquiry for the department, you can contact
the department by using the online enquiry form at
[3]https://www.education.gov.au/about-us/co....
Regards,
Freedom of Information Team
Department of Education
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 566 046 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. http://cricos.education.gov.au/
2. https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/cricos
3. https://www.education.gov.au/about-us/co...
Dear Mr Buckley
Please find attached correspondence relating to your FOI request.
Kind regards
Freedom of Information Team
Australian Government Department of Education
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 566 046 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
Dear Education - FOI,
I write requesting that you reconsider your decision to impose a charge for this FoI request.
Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia (A4) is a Disability Representative Organisation (DRO) for people with autism and their associates. Notably, A4 is the only national level DRO for severely and profoundly autistic Australians.
A4 does not have a lot of funding; DSS reduced its meagre funding at the last DRO funding round despite saying autism was a priority area. So charging even this relatively minor amount is an imposition and distraction.
Note that despite education being a critical element of services and supports for autistic Australians, your Education Department makes to contribution to our systemic advocacy aimed at improve education outcome for autistic Australians.
As is indicated by the ABS (and ignored by your Department – see https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/autism-a...), there are massive issues with education attainments of autistic Australians, something your Department is responsible for. A4 wants to understand why your Department ignored the opportunity provided by the National Autism Strategy to address these issues. That is why we made this FoI request.
Note: the poor education outcomes for autistic Australians are a long-standing issue – see https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf...
If you persist with this charge, then please advise a more appropriate way for me to pay it. I refuse to make my credit card details public as happens via this communication channel.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley (A4 Co-convenor)
You have contacted the Freedom of Information Team at the Commonwealth
Department of Education (the department). If your email relates to a
Freedom of Information (FOI) application made under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act), the department will respond as soon
as possible.
This email address is only for applications for access to documents under
the FOI Act. The department is unable to respond to non-FOI related
enquiries sent to this email address, and accordingly, emails sent to this
email address that are not FOI related will not be responded to or
forwarded.
CRICOS Codes
If you are seeking information relating to the Commonwealth Register of
Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), information about
Australian education providers offering courses to people studying in
Australia on student visas and the courses offered, including CRICOS
codes, is available at [1]http://cricos.education.gov.au//. Monthly CRICOS
data exports are available at [2]https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/cricos.
The department is unable to respond to non-FOI related CRICOS enquiries
sent to this email address.
Non-FOI Enquiries
If you have a non-FOI related enquiry for the department, you can contact
the department by using the online enquiry form at
[3]https://www.education.gov.au/about-us/co....
Regards,
Freedom of Information Team
Department of Education
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 566 046 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. http://cricos.education.gov.au/
2. https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/cricos
3. https://www.education.gov.au/about-us/co...
Dear Mr Buckley
We acknowledge receipt of your email, dated 17 July 2025, contending that
the charge has been wrongly assessed and should not be imposed.
In accordance with subsection 29(6) of the Freedom of Information Act 1982
(FOI Act), the 30-day statutory period for deciding whether to reduce or
not impose the charge commenced from the day after that date.
In accordance with subsection 29(5) of the FOI Act, in making a decision
about whether to reduce or not impose the charge, the department is
obliged to consider if payment of the charge would cause you financial
hardship, and if giving access to the document is in the public interest.
If you would like to make any further submissions in relation to the
above, please respond to this email by 25 July 2025.
If you have any questions, please email [1][email address]
Kind regards
Freedom of Information Team
Australian Government Department of Education
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 566 046 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
Dear Education - FOI,
I suggest that it is not appropriate to charge Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia, a national DRO, for this FOI request. Please reconsider.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley (A4 Co-convenor)
You have contacted the Freedom of Information Team at the Commonwealth
Department of Education (the department). If your email relates to a
Freedom of Information (FOI) application made under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act), the department will respond as soon
as possible.
This email address is only for applications for access to documents under
the FOI Act. The department is unable to respond to non-FOI related
enquiries sent to this email address, and accordingly, emails sent to this
email address that are not FOI related will not be responded to or
forwarded.
CRICOS Codes
If you are seeking information relating to the Commonwealth Register of
Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), information about
Australian education providers offering courses to people studying in
Australia on student visas and the courses offered, including CRICOS
codes, is available at [1]http://cricos.education.gov.au//. Monthly CRICOS
data exports are available at [2]https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/cricos.
The department is unable to respond to non-FOI related CRICOS enquiries
sent to this email address.
Non-FOI Enquiries
If you have a non-FOI related enquiry for the department, you can contact
the department by using the online enquiry form at
[3]https://www.education.gov.au/about-us/co....
Regards,
Freedom of Information Team
Department of Education
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 566 046 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. http://cricos.education.gov.au/
2. https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/cricos
3. https://www.education.gov.au/about-us/co...
Dear Mr Buckley
Please find attached a decision in relation to your freedom of information
request. The documents released to you in accordance with this decision
will be sent in subsequent emails given their size.
Please contact [1][email address] if you have any questions.
Kind regards
Freedom of Information Team
Australian Government Department of Education
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 566 046 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
Dear Mr Buckley
Please find attached the documents released to you in accordance with the
decision referenced in the email below.
Please contact [1][email address] if you have any questions.
Kind regards
Freedom of Information Team
Australian Government Department of Education
From: Education - FOI
Sent: Thursday, 14 August 2025 5:04 PM
To: [FOI #13313 email]
Subject: Correspondence regarding your FOI request
Dear Mr Buckley
Please find attached a decision in relation to your freedom of information
request. The documents released to you in accordance with this decision
will be sent in subsequent emails given their size.
Please contact [2][email address] if you have any questions.
Kind regards
Freedom of Information Team
Australian Government Department of Education
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 566 046 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[email address]