Overview
To lodge a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, visit the Victorian Government's FOI website. It outlines the steps for making an FOI request from preparing an application to identifying where the request should be sent.
The site also defines what type of document is covered by the Act, answers commonly asked questions, suggests links to relevant legislative websites, and provides contact details for relevant government agencies.
DJSIR, RDV and FOI
If you wish to access documents in the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) or Regional Development Victoria (RDV), under the FOI Act, contact DJSIR's Freedom of Information Team. They will provide information about:
- completing and lodging a request under the FOI Act
- unpublished material listed in the Department's annual report
- Part II of the FOI Act.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the aim of the FOI Act?
Victoria's Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) gives members of the public the right to apply for access to information held by Ministers, State Government departments, local councils, public hospitals, most semi-government agencies and statutory authorities.
What does the FOI Act cover?
The FOI Act allows people to apply for access to all documents held by an agency, irrespective of how the documentation is stored. This includes, but is not limited to, paper and electronic documents. Assistance in determining documents relevant to a request can be provided by the Department's FOI Unit.
Are documents requested under FOI automatically released?
In assessing whether it is suitable to release documents, the FOI Officer considers whether any material requested is exempt from release under the FOI Act. The FOI Act outlines general categories of information that are exempt. These include information relating to the personal affairs of third parties, information provided in confidence, information which if released might endanger the lives or physical safety of individuals, cabinet documents, commercial-in-confidence information, internal working documents which if released would be contrary to the public interest, and so on.
Who are the decision makers under the FOI Act?
Decisions are made under the FOI Act by the Secretary of the department or minister, or by authorised officers under arrangements under sections 26 of the FOI Act.
Decision-making powers and other powers affecting members of the public are found in the legislation administered by the portfolio ministers.
Acts administered by the portfolio ministers are listed in General Orders available on the Department of Premier and Cabinet website.
How do I lodge an FOI request?
A valid FOI request must be in writing and:
- Be directed to one entity (either an agency or a minister)
- Describe of the documents with enough detail to enable an agency to identify them (eg include dates, names of individuals, related program areas, references to any articles or media releases)
- Be submitted with payment of the application fee $31.80 (as at 1 July 2023) unless the FOI request is submitted with evidence of financial hardship.
FOI requests and payments can be submitted to the department or minister:
Online Victorian Government FOI Request Portal
By email: foi@ecodev.vic.gov.au. FOI Unit will provide direct deposit details.
By post:
Freedom of Information Unit
Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
GPO Box 4509, Melbourne 3001
Enclosing a cheque for $31.80 made out to: Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
For more information about how to make a FOI request please visit the Victorian Information Commissioner’s website on How to make a valid FOI request.
You may also email the department’s FOI Unit at foi@ecodev.vic.gov.au or telephone on 1800 317 531.
Access charges
Access charges may also apply for the search and production of documents under s 22 of the FOI Act.
The standard charges as at 1 July 2023 are:
- $23.85 per hour for the search for documents and/or extraction of information from a database
- $ 0.20 per page of A4
Under certain circumstances, some of these charges can be waived.
Please visit the Victorian Information Commissioner’s website for more information on access charges.
Where can I find out more about FOI?
General information about making FOI requests is available at the Victorian Government's FOI website.
Where can I access information about specific areas of responsibility of the Department?
This website and the annual report provide information about all areas of the Department.
The Department's Business Information and Resource Unit, and Business Centre, maintain a comprehensive collection of publications and other materials about government business programs and policy statements.
Information relating to business services offered by the Department is also available at several metropolitan, regional, interstate and overseas offices and through the Business Information Line. Contact details can be found on the Department's website and the annual report.
Members of the general public can also ring or write directly to the Department seeking information on any aspect of its operations, including unpublished material listed in the Department's annual report. The correspondence can be addressed to either the Secretary of the Department or the director of the relevant business unit. Guidance on the relevant business unit can be taken from the Department's organisation chart contained in the annual report.
Contact
Freedom of Information Unit
Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
GPO Box 4509
Melbourne, VIC, 3001, Australia
Phone: 1800 317 531
Email: foi@ecodev.vic.gov.au