Chancellery
The purpose of the Freedom of Information Act 1991 is to make the business of government open and accountable to all. The University strives to be an open and accountable organisation in accordance with the Act.
Under the South Australian FOI Act, people in Australia have the right to:
State Records has an extensive, helpful FOI website describing these rights. Documents include anything in which information is stored or from which information may be reproduced.
Not all requests to access information will require a formal application under FOI. The University publishes extensive information about itself on its website. When a person requests access to a document, the first consideration is whether or not access can be granted as part of the normal routine.
For example:
All University records should be kept in a manner which enables them to be located easily.
FOI is a formal external legislative mechanism for dealing with requests to access material. A matter need not become the subject of an FOI request unless someone has indicated reluctance to release information.
If someone requests access to a document, whose disclosure you believe would be detrimental to the University, you can contact the FOI Officers who may help clarify their rights; or advise them to submit an FOI application.
There are a number of specific exemptions under which documents may not be released. Schedule 1 of the Act, describes the exemptions against which decisions to disclose the specific document need to be tested.
Exemptions are not global or applied to whole categories of documents. Any exemption is assessed against the specific document requested.
If you have documents which are written by or in conjunction with parties outside the University, then make that clear to the FOI Officer as soon as practicable. If a formal request is received, other parties have the right to be consulted before documents are released.
Determinations under the Act may only be made by accredited FOI Officers, of which the University has 2:
both of whom work in the Chancellery.
The Vice Chancellor, as Chief Executive Officer of the University of South Australia may make determinations.
An application for access under Freedom of Information costs $27.75. They may be further charges for processing and copying if the document(s) are long or complex. Fees may be waived on presentation of evidence of hardship eg Health Card.
Under section 14 of the FOI Act an application for access must be determined within 30 days from receipt of the application. This time limit includes locating the document(s), consulting author(s) and assessing exemption(s). Failure to respond (with a formal determination) is deemed as refusal and the application may escalate to Vice Chancellor, State Ombudsman or court.
If you are asked to locate a document by an FOI Officer, please treat the matter as urgent, confidential, and high priority. You must reveal all relevant documents held by the University, whether or not they are generated by UniSA. An FOI request is similar, in law, to a discovery order from a court.
In compliance with Section 9 of the Act , the following website provide information available about The University of South Australia’s structure and governance.
Queries and applications may be directed to
Shaun Hobby
Freedom of Information Officer
University of South Australia
8302 5609
shaun.hobby@unisa.edu.au
