Good Morning Jessica,

Freedom of Information Request: Acknowledgement & Extension of Time
Request

Thank you for your request on 21 September 2025, made under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), for copies of documents held by the
National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

Scope of your Request

You have requested access to:

"...1. A list or schedule of all external law firms engaged by the NDIA in
the 202324 and 202425 financial years to date, including the general scope
of services provided (e.g. legal advice, representation, other legal
services).

2. A list of external consultants or advisory firms engaged by the NDIA in
the 202324 and 2024-25 financial years to date, with the subject matter of
the work performed.

3. Any procurement records or contract summaries for engagements over
$100,000 in value within that same period.

I am not seeking access to the content of legal advice, privileged
communications, or invoices. I am only seeking high-level information
identifying the firms and the general nature of their engagements. I would
prefer to receive the information in electronic form...."

Processing Timeframes

In accordance with section 15(5)(b) of the FOI Act, a 30-day statutory
period for processing your request commenced from 22 September 2025. This
30-day period expires on 21 October 2025.

The 30-day period can be extended in a number of ways, including with your
agreement.

Extension of Time Request:

Unfortunately, it is currently taking us a little longer than 30 days to
process FOI requests due to a very high volume of incoming matters. I am
therefore seeking your agreement to a 30-day extension of time under
section 15AA of the FOI Act. If you agree to this extension, the new due
date for us to decide on your request will be 20 November 2025.

Please let us know if you agree by 5pm Thursday 16 October 2025.

Explanation of Extension of Time Request:

The reason I am seeking an extension of time is to ensure I preserve your
review rights under the FOI Act.

FOI applicants are normally entitled to exercise a right of internal
review if they are unsatisfied with the outcome of an FOI decision.
However, this right of review lapses if a FOI decision is not made within
the statutory timeframe. This is because if an agency doesn’t issue their
decision within the statutory timeframe, they are deemed to have refused
the request for documents. If this situation happens, it will limit your
options for formal review to only contacting the OAIC.

You are not obligated to agree to this request, you would still retain
your review rights with our regulatory body OAIC (Office of the Australian
Information Commission).

Action Required

Can I please request a response regarding our request for a 30-day
extension of time, by 5pm Thursday 16 October 2025.

Next steps

I have completed some preliminary work on your request; however, your
matter will be allocated to an authorised FOI decision-maker for any
further action. The decision-maker may need to contact you to discuss a
range of matters, including refining the scope of your request.

We will contact you using the email address you have provided. Please
advise if you would prefer us to use an alternative means of contact.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or need help, please contact us
at [1][NDIA request email].

Kind regards,

Beau

Freedom of Information Officer

Information Release, Privacy and Legal Operations Branch
Reviews and Information Release Division

National Disability Insurance Agency

E [2][NDIA request email]

[3]NDIA logo

[4]LGBTIQA+ rainbow graphic

The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout
Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to them and their cultures and to Elders past, present
and emerging.

[5]Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags graphic

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