The Western Australian Freedom of Information Act 1992 (the FOI Act) gives you the right to apply for access to documents held by the Department.

We will help you to obtain access to documents at the lowest reasonable cost, and ensure that personal information we hold is accurate, complete, up to date and not misleading.

Your right to apply is not affected by any reasons you have for wishing to obtain access. The kinds of documents to which you may request access include paper files, computer records, maps, plans, photographs, tape recordings, films, video tapes and electronically stored information.

 For information and advice on the FOI process please contact us.

  Download the application form (pdf 10.6kb or word 25.5kb)

Download the application notes to assist your application (pdf 12.9kb or word 21.5kb) 

You can obtain a paper copy of the form from any of our offices or contact the FOI Coordinator.

If you wish to apply under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 1992 to be given access to information held within the Department or the Western Australian Planning Commission, these are the steps that you need to take. Under section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 1992 all these points must be satisfied to make the application valid.

The application has to:

• be in writing (we prefer if you use our application form and read the application notes to assist your application);
  
  
• give enough information to enable the requested documents to be identified;
  
  
• give an address in Australia to which notices under the Act can be sent;
  
  
• give any other information or details required under the regulations and
  
  
• be lodged at an office with any application fee payable under the regulations ($30.00 per application).

We will make a decision whether to grant or refuse access within 45 calendar days and will advise you of any charges that may be applicable in dealing with the application.

We will also provide the following information:

• the applicant's right to a review of the decision and the process involved in seeking that review;
  
  
• full details of the decision to either give or deny access;
  
  
• the date of the decision;
  
  
• name of decision-makers;
  
  
• any reasons for exemptions including the applicable clause in the Act that relates to that exemption;
  
  
• if giving access to an edited copy, state the reasons why the material is to be edited;
  
  
• if deferring access, state the reasons why the matter is being deferred; and
  
  
• state the arrangements for giving access.

These fall into three categories:

1. Application for documents (i.e. which are non-personal in nature) require a $30.00 application fee to be paid when the application is lodged.
   
   
2. Processing fees which include decision-making, any consultation (with third parties), preparing a notice of decision and if necessary photocopying. A fee of $30.00 per hour is charged for staff time taken to deal with each application. In addition 20 cents per copy for photocopying will be charged.
   
   
3. Actual costs to the department for postage, special arrangements for access and for specialised access such as reproductions.
   

To assist you in finding the information you need, the Department for has prepared an information statement. The statement describes:

• the structure and functions of the Department;
  
  
• the ways in which the functions of the Department affect members of the public;
  
  
• any arrangements that exist to enable members of the public to participate in the formulation of the Department's policy and the performance of the Department's functions;
  
  
• the types of documents that are usually found at the Department; and
  
  
• the Department's arrangements for giving members of the public access to documents including details of library facilities.

You can also download the information statement (pdf 145K or rtf 29K)

 Related links

Office of the Information Commissioner

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