Thank you for your email to the National Disability Insurance Agency
(NDIA) Freedom of Information (FOI) team. 
 
Please note: due to a high volume of requests, our ability to respond to
you in a timely manner may be affected. We will action your request as
soon as possible and will endeavour to process your matter within the
legislative deadlines. We may need to seek your agreement to an extension
of time. We appreciate your understanding if this is required. 
 
Participant Information 
Did you know the NDIA has other ways to access the documents and
information that we hold? 
 
 
Participants, Guardians and Nominees can obtain copies of some participant
information through our National Contact Centre (NCC). For more
information about what’s available through the NCC, please contact 1800
800 110. 
 
 
Please visit our [1]Access to Information webpage to find out more about
accessing information through: 

* The [2]Participant Information Access (PIA) scheme 
 
* The [3]Information Publication Scheme (IPS) 
 
* The [4]myplace portal for participants    
 
* The [5]myplace portal for providers 

Access to Data 
 
You can also request data and statistics. Please visit our [6]Data and
insights webpage page for further information. 
 
 
If you are able to obtain your information from a source listed above, you
can withdraw your FOI request by emailing [7][NDIA request email] 
 
Further Information 
 
Information about how to make an FOI request can be found on our website:
[8]Freedom of Information 
 
 
Should you have a query unrelated to FOI, please contact the Agency by
email at [9][email address] or via webchat at [10]ndis.gov.au.
Alternatively, you can also contact us by phoning 1800 800 110. 
 
 
Kind regards    
 
 
Freedom of Information Team  
Complaints Management & FOI Branch 
General Counsel Division  
National Disability Insurance Agency  
E [11][NDIA request email]   
   
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.  

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References

Visible links
1. https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
2. https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
3. https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
4. https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/usi...
5. https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/workin...
6. https://data.ndis.gov.au/
7. mailto:[NDIA request email]
8. https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
9. mailto:[email address]
10. https://www.ndis.gov.au/
11. mailto:[NDIA request email]

Dear David Wright

Thank you for your request of 1 July 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: 

“…Please provide the following information about all law firms engaged by
the NDIA in the 2024-2025 financial year for matters to which the NDIA was
a Respondent at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) / Administrative
Review Tribunal (ART):

1) A list of all law firms engaged.

2) The number of AAT/ART matters each law firm was engaged for.

3) The total of all payments made by the NDIA to each of these law firms,
giving the total figure paid to each law firm and also a combined total
figure of all payments…”

Irrelevant Information

Section 22 of the FOI Act allows an Agency to redact information from
documents if that information would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant
to a request for access.

Given the nature of your request, it does not seem that NDIA staff
members’ surnames and contact details would be relevant to you. Can you
please send me a reply email confirming that such details are irrelevant
to your request for access?

Processing timeframes 

A 30-day statutory period for processing your request commenced from 2
July 2025, in accordance with section 15(5)(b) of the FOI Act. This 30-day
period expires on 31 July 2025.

Extension of time request

This period may be extended if we need to consult with third parties or
for other reasons. We will advise you if this happens. 

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

Unfortunately, it is currently taking us a little longer than 30 days to
process FOI requests. 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 30
August 2025.

If you do not agree and we are unable to process your request within the
30-day period expiring on 31 July 2025, we will be deemed to have refused
your request and you will not have a right to seek internal review of that
decision. You will, however, retain your right to external review by the
Australian Information Commissioner.

Please let us know if you agree by 24 July 2025.

Further help 
Please contact us at [1][NDIA request email] if you have any questions or need
help. 

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

Thank you

Kind regards 

Glenn [GEF 803]

Senior 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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Dear David Wright,

Thank you for your request for information.

We are writing to provide a progress update on your FOI request. 

While processing is taking longer than initially anticipated, please be
assured that we are actively progressing the matter as a priority and will
provide you with a decision on access as soon as practicable. 

To maintain your rights to an internal review, we are currently applying
for an extension under section 15AC of the Freedom of Information Act,
seeking an extension to 10 September 2025. We apologise for the delay and
appreciate your patience as we undertake further consultations with the
relevant business areas.

We apologize for the delay. At this stage, we are in the process of
undertaking further consultations with the relevant business area(s) to
assist us in finalizing the decision on access.

Please contact us at [1][NDIA request email] if you have any questions or
require help.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Kind regards,

 Robert

Senior 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

show quoted sections

Dear David Wright,

Thank you for your request for information.

We are writing to provide a progress update on your FOI request. 

While processing is taking longer than initially anticipated, please be
assured that we are actively progressing the matter as a priority and will
provide you with a decision on access as soon as practicable. 

To maintain your rights to an internal review, we are currently applying
for an extension under section 15AC of the Freedom of Information Act,
seeking an extension to 10 September 2025. We apologise for the delay and
appreciate your patience as we undertake further consultations with the
relevant business areas.

We apologize for the delay. At this stage, we are in the process of
undertaking further consultations with the relevant business area(s) to
assist us in finalizing the decision on access.

Please contact us at [1][NDIA request email] if you have any questions or
require help.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Kind regards,

Robert

Senior 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

show quoted sections

Our reference:            RQ25/05199

Agency reference:    FOI 25/26-0003

Agency name              National Insurance Disability Agency
By Email:                        [NDIA request email]         

Name                              Mr David Wright
By Email:                       
[FOI #13352 email]

Extension of time under s 15AC

Dear Parties,

Please find attached an extension of time decision relating to the above
referenced FOI request.

Regards,

[1][IMG]   Andriana DeIeso

Review Adviser

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

GPO Box 5288 Sydney NSW 2001

E [2][email address]
 
 
The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
communities. We pay our respect to First Nations people,
cultures and Elders past and present.  

[3]Subscribe to Information Matters

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
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attachments.

References

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1. https://www.oaic.gov.au/
2. mailto:[email address]
3. https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/n...

Dear David Wright,

Thank you for your request for information. Please find attached
correspondence and document in relation to your request.

Should you require these in another format, please let me know.

If you have any further questions, please reach out to [1][NDIA request email]

Kind regards,

Robert

Senior Freedom of Information Officer - Information Access

Information Release, Privacy and Legal Operations Branch

Reviews and Information Release Division

National Disability Insurance Agency

[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.

show quoted sections

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[NDIA request email]
2. mailto:[NDIA request email]
4. https://intranet.ndiastaff.ndia.gov.au/h...