Request an official document held by a minister

<!doctype html> <html lang="en"> <head> <title>Request an official document held by a minister | OAIC</title>  <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta name="mobile-web-app-capable" content="yes"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0, maximum-scale=1.0, minimum-scale=1.0"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1">  <meta name="dcterms.title" content="Request an official document held by a minister"> <meta name="dcterms.creator" content="OAIC"> <meta name="dcterms.created" content="2022-05-09T12:04:04+10:00"> <meta name="dcterms.modified" content="2024-08-23T07:04:59+10:00"> <meta name="dcterms.issued" content="2023-03-10T16:22:33+11:00"> <meta name="dcterms.format" content="HTML"> <meta name="dcterms.identifier" content="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-information-rights/request-an-official-document-held-by-a-minister">    <meta name="publishedDate" content="10 March 2023"> <meta name="publishedDate_ISO" content="2023-03-10T00:00:00+11:00"> <meta name="description" content="The Freedom of Information Act 1982 gives every person a legally enforceable right to access an 'official document of a minister', unless the document is exempt from disclosure." /> <meta name="pdISO" content="2023-03-10T00:00:00+11:00" /> <meta name="robots" content="" />  <meta name="chapter-nav" content="no" /> <meta name="chapter-nav-prev" content="" /> <meta name="chapter-nav-next" content="" /> <meta name="chapter-nav-prev-btn-text" content="Previous chapter" /> <meta name="chapter-nav-next-btn-text" content="Next chapter" /> <meta name="background_color" content="chapter-navigation__wrapper--white" />  <meta name="show-related-articles" content="no" /> <meta name="topic" content="" /> <meta name="contentType" content="" /> <meta name="featuredNews" content="no" /> <meta name="author-name" content="" /> <meta name="author-title" content="" /> <meta name="author-image" content="" />  <meta name="type" content="web" />  <meta name="showFeedbackWidget" content="yes" /> <meta name="showShareWidget" content="yes" />  <meta itemprop="name" content="Request an official document held by a minister" /> <meta itemprop="description" content="The Freedom of Information Act 1982 gives every person a legally enforceable right to access an 'official document of a minister', unless the document is exempt from disclosure." /> <meta itemprop="image" content="" />  <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@OAICgov" /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Request an official document held by a minister" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="The Freedom of Information Act 1982 gives every person a legally enforceable right to access an 'official document of a minister', unless the document is exempt from disclosure." /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="" />  <meta property="og:title" content="Request an official document held by a minister" /> <meta property="og:type" content="website" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-information-rights/request-an-official-document-held-by-a-minister" /> <meta property="og:image" content="" /> <meta property="og:description" content="The Freedom of Information Act 1982 gives every person a legally enforceable right to access an 'official document of a minister', unless the document is exempt from disclosure." /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="OAIC" /> <meta property="article:published_time" content="2023-03-10T16:22:33+11:00" /> <meta property="article:modified_time" content="2024-08-23T07:04:59+10:00" /> <meta property="article:tag" content="" /> <meta name="theme-color" content="#fafafa">  <script src="//cdn-oc.readspeaker.com/script/9755/webReader/webReader.js?pids=wr" type="text/javascript" id="rs_req_Init"></script>  <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-PTH9SP3B');</script>   <meta name="google-site-verification" content="sQVHBUKhjuCjBjithPialZYhGQ5SPKwjb1_rY8OqsjA" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/main.css?h=06ed308"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/css_file/0024/240585/custom.css?v=0.1.214">  <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bootstrap-icons@1.11.3/font/bootstrap-icons.min.css"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin> <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Source+Code+Pro:ital,wght@0,200;0,300;0,400;0,500;0,600;0,700;0,800;0,900;1,200;1,300;1,400;1,500;1,600;1,700;1,800;1,900&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">  <link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0016/14182/favicon-32x32.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0015/14181/apple-touch-icon.png">  </head> <body class="inside">  <section class="cookie-banner" aria-labelledby="cookie-heading"> <h2 class="visuallyhidden" id="cookie-heading">We use cookies on this site</h2> <div class="cookie-banner__content"> <div> <p>We use cookies to analyse traffic and to improve your browsing experience on our website. To find out more, read our <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/about-the-OAIC/our-corporate-information/plans-policies-and-procedures/privacy-policy">privacy policy</a>.</p> </div> <button class="cookie-banner__close primary-button" id="close-cookie-banner" aria-label="Close and accept cookie policy">Close</button> </div> </section>   <div class="skip-to-content"> <a href="#main-content-area" class="skip-to-content__link visuallyhidden focusable">Skip to main content</a> </div>  <div class="page-wrapper">     <header class="site-header"> <div class="utility-nav"> <div class="utility-nav__wrapper"> <a href="/news" class="utility-nav__link ">News</a> <a href="/about-the-OAIC/join-our-team" class="utility-nav__link ">Join our team</a> <a href="/contact-us" class="utility-nav__link ">Contact us</a> </div> </div> <div class="header-content"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au" class="header-logo"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0020/13664/oaic-header-logo.svg" alt="OAIC - Australian Government - Office of the Australian Information Commissioner"> </a> <button class="mobile-menu" aria-controls="header-nav" aria-expanded="false"> <img class="menu-icon menu-icon--burger" src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/hamburger-menu.svg" alt="open menu"> <img class="menu-icon menu-icon--close" src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/cancel-icon-white.svg" alt="close menu"> </button> <div class="search-container search-container--header"> <form class="input-form" action="https://www.oaic.gov.au/search" data-action="https://www.oaic.gov.au/search?SQ_ASSET_CONTENTS_RAW"> <input name="query" autocomplete="off" id="autoComplete" placeholder="Search…" class="search-box" aria-label="Search input" data-autocomplete-endpoint="https://dxp-au-search.funnelback.squiz.cloud/s/suggest.json?collection=113e9365-ffcc-4320-a995-5c1b98bea3bb~sp-oaic-web-new&profile=auto-completion-global&fmt=json%2B%2B&alpha=0.5&show=10"> <input type="hidden" name="form" value="result"> <button type="button" id="clear-text-btn" class="cancel-logo" aria-label="Clear text"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0022/13666/cancel-icon.svg" alt="clear text cancel icon"> </button> <button type="submit" aria-label="Submit search"> <img class="search-icon" src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0023/13667/search-outline.svg" alt="search icon thst submits form"> </button> </form> </div> <div id="header-nav" class="header-nav"> <nav class="header-nav__nav"> <div class="header-nav__item"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au" class="header-nav__link " > Home </a> </div> <div class="header-nav__item"> <button class="header-nav__button " aria-expanded="false" > Privacy <div class="header-nav__mobile-toggle"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-plus-white.svg" class="icon-plus" alt="expand menu"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-plus-white.svg" class="icon-minus" alt="collapse menu"> </div> <div class="header-nav__desktop-toggle"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/chevron-down-white.svg" alt="expand menu"> </div> </button> <div class="header-nav__sub"> <div class="header-nav__sub-wrapper"> <div class="header-nav__sub-first"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Privacy </a> </div> <div class="header-nav__sub-grid"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/your-privacy-rights" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Your privacy rights </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-complaints" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Privacy complaints </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/australian-privacy-principles" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Australian Privacy Principles </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Privacy guidance for organisations and government agencies </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/notifiable-data-breaches" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Notifiable data breaches </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-legislation" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Privacy legislation </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-assessments-and-decisions" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Privacy assessments and decisions </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-registers" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Privacy registers </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="header-nav__item"> <button class="header-nav__button current" aria-expanded="false" > Freedom of information <div class="header-nav__mobile-toggle"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-plus-white.svg" class="icon-plus" alt="expand menu"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-plus-white.svg" class="icon-minus" alt="collapse menu"> </div> <div class="header-nav__desktop-toggle"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/chevron-down-white.svg" alt="expand menu"> </div> </button> <div class="header-nav__sub"> <div class="header-nav__sub-wrapper"> <div class="header-nav__sub-first"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Freedom of information </a> </div> <div class="header-nav__sub-grid"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-information-rights" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Your freedom of information rights </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/how-to-access-government-information" class="header-nav__sub-link"> How to access government information </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/freedom-of-information-guidance-for-government-agencies" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Freedom of information guidance for government agencies </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/freedom-of-information-legislation-and-determinations" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Freedom of information legislation and determinations </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/information-commissioner-decisions-and-reports" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Information Commissioner decisions and reports </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/freedom-of-information-statistics-for-the-oaic" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Freedom of information statistics for the OAIC </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="header-nav__item"> <button class="header-nav__button " aria-expanded="false" > Consumer Data Right <div class="header-nav__mobile-toggle"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-plus-white.svg" class="icon-plus" alt="expand menu"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-plus-white.svg" class="icon-minus" alt="collapse menu"> </div> <div class="header-nav__desktop-toggle"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/chevron-down-white.svg" alt="expand menu"> </div> </button> <div class="header-nav__sub"> <div class="header-nav__sub-wrapper"> <div class="header-nav__sub-first"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/consumer-data-right" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Consumer Data Right </a> </div> <div class="header-nav__sub-grid"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/consumer-data-right/information-for-consumers" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Information for consumers </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/consumer-data-right/consumer-data-right-complaints" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Consumer Data Right complaints </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/consumer-data-right/consumer-data-right-guidance-for-business" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Consumer Data Right guidance for business </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/consumer-data-right/consumer-data-right-legislation,-regulation-and-definitions" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Consumer Data Right legislation, regulation and definitions </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/consumer-data-right/consumer-data-right-assessments" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Consumer Data Right assessments </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="header-nav__item"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/digital-id" class="header-nav__link " > Digital ID </a> </div> <div class="header-nav__item"> <button class="header-nav__button " aria-expanded="false" > Engage with us <div class="header-nav__mobile-toggle"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-plus-white.svg" class="icon-plus" alt="expand menu"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-plus-white.svg" class="icon-minus" alt="collapse menu"> </div> <div class="header-nav__desktop-toggle"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/chevron-down-white.svg" alt="expand menu"> </div> </button> <div class="header-nav__sub"> <div class="header-nav__sub-wrapper"> <div class="header-nav__sub-first"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Engage with us </a> </div> <div class="header-nav__sub-grid"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/consultations" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Consultations </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/submissions" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Submissions </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/translations" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Translations </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/events" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Events </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/networks" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Networks </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/research-and-training-resources" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Research and training resources </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="header-nav__item"> <button class="header-nav__button " aria-expanded="false" > About the OAIC <div class="header-nav__mobile-toggle"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-plus-white.svg" class="icon-plus" alt="expand menu"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-plus-white.svg" class="icon-minus" alt="collapse menu"> </div> <div class="header-nav__desktop-toggle"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/chevron-down-white.svg" alt="expand menu"> </div> </button> <div class="header-nav__sub"> <div class="header-nav__sub-wrapper"> <div class="header-nav__sub-first"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/about-the-OAIC" class="header-nav__sub-link"> About the OAIC </a> </div> <div class="header-nav__sub-grid"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/about-the-OAIC/what-we-do" class="header-nav__sub-link"> What we do </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/about-the-OAIC/who-we-are" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Who we are </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/about-the-OAIC/join-our-team" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Join our team </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/about-the-OAIC/access-our-information" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Access our information </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/about-the-OAIC/our-regulatory-approach" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Our regulatory approach </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/about-the-OAIC/our-corporate-information" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Our corporate information </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/about-the-OAIC/information-policy" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Information policy </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/about-the-OAIC/serving-legal-documents-on-the-australian-information-commissioner" class="header-nav__sub-link"> Serving legal documents on the Australian Information Commissioner </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="header-nav__item header-nav__item--mobile-only"> <a href="/news" class="header-nav__link">News</a> </div> <div class="header-nav__item header-nav__item--mobile-only"> <a href="/about-the-OAIC/join-our-team" class="header-nav__link">Join our team</a> </div> <div class="header-nav__item header-nav__item--mobile-only"> <a href="/contact-us" class="header-nav__link">Contact us</a> </div> </nav> </div> </div> </header> <div class="nav-close-overlay"></div>   <main class="main"> <div class="breadcrumb__wrapper"> <div class="section "> <div class="section-item flex-box "> <div class="breadcrumb breadcrumb--separator-chevron"> <nav class="breadcrumb__nav" aria-label="Breadcrumb"> <ul class="breadcrumb__list"> <span class="breadcrumb__list-item"><a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au" class="breadcrumb__list-item-link" aria-label="Go to home page"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.0" viewBox="0 0 50 50" height="24" width="24"><path d="M25 9.0937 7.281 25.3747h5.563v15.531h24.312v-15.531h5.563L25 9.0937z" fill="currentColor"></path></svg></a></span> <li class="breadcrumb__list-item"> <a class="breadcrumb__list-item-link" href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information">Freedom of information</a> </li> <li class="breadcrumb__list-item"> <a class="breadcrumb__list-item-link" href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-information-rights">Your freedom of information rights</a> </li> <li class="breadcrumb__list-item"> <a class="breadcrumb__list-item-link" href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-information-rights/request-an-official-document-held-by-a-minister">Request an official document held by a minister</a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content-wrapper"> <div class="lhs-wrapper"> <div class="lhs-nav"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information" class="lhs-nav__level-1"> Freedom of information </a> <div class="lhs-nav__nav-wrapper"> <div class="lhs-nav__level-2"> <h4> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-information-rights"> Your freedom of information rights </a> </h4> <button class="lhs-nav__level-2-toggle" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Expand Level 2 submenu: Your freedom of information rights"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-plus-white.svg" class="icon-plus" aria-hidden="true" /> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-minus-white.svg" class="icon-minus" aria-hidden="true" /> </button> </div> <ul class="lhs-nav__level-3"> <li class="lhs-nav__level-3-link "> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-information-rights/what-is-freedom-of-information"> What is freedom of information? </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-3-link "> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-information-rights/when-an-foi-request-affects-you"> When a freedom of information request affects you </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-3-link "> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-information-rights/correct-your-personal-information-under-foi"> Correct your personal information under freedom of information </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-3-link current"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-information-rights/request-an-official-document-held-by-a-minister"> Request an official document held by a minister </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-3-link has-children"> <div class="lhs-nav__level-3-accordion"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-information-rights/freedom-of-information-reviews"> Freedom of information reviews </a> <button class="lhs-nav__level-3-toggle" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Expand Level 3 submenu: Freedom of information reviews"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-plus.svg" class="icon-plus" aria-hidden="true" /> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-minus.svg" class="icon-minus" aria-hidden="true" /> </button> </div> <ul class="lhs-nav__level-4"> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-information-rights/freedom-of-information-reviews/internal-review" class=""> Apply for an internal review </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-information-rights/freedom-of-information-reviews/information-commissioner-review" class=""> Apply for an Information Commissioner review </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-3-link has-children"> <div class="lhs-nav__level-3-accordion"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-information-rights/freedom-of-information-complaints"> Freedom of information complaints </a> <button class="lhs-nav__level-3-toggle" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Expand Level 3 submenu: Freedom of information complaints"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-plus.svg" class="icon-plus" aria-hidden="true" /> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-minus.svg" class="icon-minus" aria-hidden="true" /> </button> </div> <ul class="lhs-nav__level-4"> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-information-rights/freedom-of-information-complaints/make-an-foi-complaint" class=""> Make a freedom of information complaint </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-information-rights/freedom-of-information-complaints/how-we-handle-an-foi-complaint" class=""> How we handle a freedom of information complaint </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-3-link "> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-information-rights/freedom-of-information-and-covid-19"> Freedom of information and COVID-19 </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="middle-wrapper">  <div id="main-content-area" class="page-content"> <div class="toc"> <ul class="toc__list"> <li class="toc__heading"> <h2 class="toc-exclude">On this page</h2> </li> </ul> </div> <section class="banner-grey-newsroom__wrapper"> <div class="banner-grey-newsroom__content"> <h1 class="banner-grey-newsroom__title">Request an official document held by a minister</h1> </div> </section>  <script> if(document.querySelector('.banner-grey-newsroom__wrapper .banner-grey-newsroom__content')) { document.querySelector('.breadcrumb__wrapper').insertAdjacentElement('afterend',document.querySelector('.banner-grey-newsroom__wrapper .banner-grey-newsroom__content').closest(' .banner-grey-newsroom__wrapper')) } </script> <div class="gov-numbered-paragraphs" id="component_14256"> <p>Last updated: 7 August 2024</p><h2>Can I access a minister’s documents?</h2><p>Yes. The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) gives every person a legally enforceable right to access an ‘official document of a minister’, unless the document is exempt from disclosure.</p><p>The term ‘<a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-foi-rights/what-is-a-document">document’</a> is broadly defined in the FOI Act and includes, but is not limited to, a piece of paper or other material on which there is writing, maps, drawings, photographs, sound recordings, films, video footage, messages on mobile devices and messaging applications, microfilm, and information stored on computer tapes, disks, DVDs and portable hard drives.</p><p>Under the FOI Act you can only ask for a document that exists at the time you make your FOI request. You can’t ask a for a document created after your request is made.</p><h2>What is an official document of a minister?</h2><p>An official document of a minister is a document in a minister’s possession that relates to the affairs of an agency. ‘Possession’ can include a document held in the minister’s office or a document that a minister is entitled to hold. A document may be an official document of a minister even if it is on a personal device.</p><p>‘Relates to the affairs of an agency’ is a broad term meaning that the document must relate to matters within the minister’s portfolio responsibilities or the activities of an agency.</p><h2>What is not an official document of the minister?</h2><p>Under the FOI Act, you cannot access documents held by a minister that do not relate to the affairs of an agency, such as:</p><ul><li>personal documents of a minister or the minister’s staff</li><li>documents of a party political nature</li><li>documents held in a minister’s capacity as a local member of parliament which do not deal with the minister’s portfolio responsibilities.</li></ul><p>The content of a document and the context in which it is created or held will be important in determining whether it is an official document of a minister.</p><h2>Will the minister process my FOI request?</h2><p>Ministers are independent of their portfolio department for the purposes of the FOI Act and they (or their staff) are responsible for processing FOI requests made to them.</p><p>However, sometimes the relevant department will provide assistance in processing FOI requests made to a minister. For example, they may search for documents if they share resources (for example, resources for storing ministerial correspondence).</p><p>There may be some cross-over between official documents held by a minister and documents held by the department. Sometimes, FOI requests made to a minister can be transferred to the department if the subject matter of the documents is more closely connected to the department’s functions.</p><p>The FOI Act requires a minister to adopt a reasonable approach in interpreting your request. If your request is for official documents of a minister, the minister must take ‘all reasonable steps’ to find the official documents you have asked for. After taking all reasonable steps, if the minister is satisfied that the documents do not exist, they can refuse your FOI request.</p><h2>What happens if there is a new minister?</h2><p>Where there is a change of minister, obligations under the FOI Act continue. Although outgoing ministers will either transfer or destroy different categories of documents when ceasing office, agencies and ministers should take all reasonable steps to preserve the rights of access provided in the FOI Act. This includes continuing to process FOI requests on hand, preserving documents requested prior to the change of minister, and preserving an FOI applicant’s review rights.</p><p>A document does not cease to be an ‘official document of a minister’ if the new minister does not have possession of the document. The status of the document as an ‘official document of a minister’ is to be decided by the facts and circumstances that existed at the time the FOI request was received.</p><h2>What are my review rights and how does a review work?</h2><p>You can ask the Information Commissioner to review a minister’s decision if you disagree with the decision made in response to your FOI request. You cannot seek internal review of a minister’s decision.</p><p>Find more information about <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/freedom-of-information-guidance-for-government-agencies/information-commissioner-reviews">Information Commissioner reviews (IC review)</a>.</p><p>If a minister is a party to an IC review and there is a change of minister during the course of the review, the new minister becomes the respondent.</p><p>Further, because an FOI decision to refuse access to a document is subject to review (and as a result, the decision may be set aside or varied) there is an obligation on ministers to preserve both the documents and the FOI applicant’s review rights. In circumstances where the agency undertakes FOI functions on behalf of a minister and there is a change of minister those obligations also apply.</p> </div> <section class="background--grey"> <div class="feature-cards__wrapper"> <h2 class="feature-cards__main-heading">Related pages</h2> <div class="feature-cards__tile">  <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/how-to-access-government-information/on-accessing-information-under-freedom-of-information" class="feature-cards__tile-links" data-order="1"> <h3 class="feature-cards__heading">On accessing information under freedom of information</h3> <p class="feature-cards__text">Options for accessing current and older documents</p> <div class="feature-cards__call-to-action"> <span class="feature-cards__arrow"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0020/12548/arrow.svg" alt="" class="icon" aria-hidden="true"> </span> </div> </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/how-to-access-government-information/make-a-freedom-of-information-request" class="feature-cards__tile-links" data-order="3"> <h3 class="feature-cards__heading">Make a freedom of information request</h3> <p class="feature-cards__text">Anyone can make an FOI request but it must be in writing</p> <div class="feature-cards__call-to-action"> <span class="feature-cards__arrow"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0020/12548/arrow.svg" alt="" class="icon" aria-hidden="true"> </span> </div> </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/how-to-access-government-information/other-ways-to-access-an-agencys-information" class="feature-cards__tile-links" data-order="2"> <h3 class="feature-cards__heading">Other ways to access an agency’s information</h3> <p class="feature-cards__text">Agencies are encouraged to release information proactively</p> <div class="feature-cards__call-to-action"> <span class="feature-cards__arrow"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0020/12548/arrow.svg" alt="" class="icon" aria-hidden="true"> </span> </div> </a> </div> </div> </section> </div>  </div> </div>  <div class="feedback"> <form id="form_email_240614" enctype="multipart/form-data" action="https://www.oaic.gov.au/_design/includes/feedback-form" method="post" ><input type="hidden" name="SQ_FORM_240614_PAGE" value="1" class="sq-form-field" id="SQ_FORM_240614_PAGE" /><input type="hidden" name="form_email_240614_referral_url" value="" /> <input type="hidden" name="q240616:q4" value="14254"> <input type="hidden" name="q240616:q3" value="https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-information-rights/request-an-official-document-held-by-a-minister"> <input type="hidden" name="form_email_240614_submit" value="Submit" id="form_email_240614_submit"> <div class="feedback__section-1"> <fieldset class="feedback__fieldset"> <legend class="feedback__title">Did you find this helpful?</legend> <div class="feedback__radios-wrapper"> <div class="feedback__radio"> <input class="visuallyhidden" type="radio" name="q240616:q2" id="q240616_q2_0" value="0"> <img class="feedback__radio-icon" src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/thumbsup.svg" alt=""/> <label class="feedback__radio-label" for="q240616_q2_0">Yes</label> </div> <div class="feedback__radio"> <input class="visuallyhidden" type="radio" name="q240616:q2" id="q240616_q2_1" value="1"> <img class="feedback__radio-icon" src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/thumbsdown.svg" alt=""/> <label class="feedback__radio-label" for="q240616_q2_1">No</label> </div> </div> </fieldset> <div class="feedback__radio-response" id="yes"> <img class="feedback__radio-icon" src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/thumbsup.svg" alt=""/> <span>We'd love to hear more!</span> </div> <div class="feedback__radio-response" id="no"> <img class="feedback__radio-icon" src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/thumbsdown.svg" alt=""/> <span>Please tell us more</span> </div> </div> <div class="feedback__section-2"> <div class="feedback__section-2-content"> <span class="feedback__title">Rate your experience</span> <p>We'd love to hear more about your rating</p> <div class="feedback__textarea-group"> <label class="feedback__textarea-label" for="q240633_q1"><label class="sq-form-question-title" for="q240633_q1">What did you come here to do?</label></label> <textarea class="feedback__textarea-input" name="q240633:q1" id="q240633_q1" placeholder="Leave your feedback here"></textarea> </div> <div class="feedback__textarea-group"> <label class="feedback__textarea-label" for="q240633_q2"><label class="sq-form-question-title" for="q240633_q2">How can we improve this information?</label></label> <textarea class="feedback__textarea-input" name="q240633:q2" id="q240633_q2" placeholder="Leave your feedback here"></textarea> </div> <div class="feedback__recaptcha"> <script src="https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js" async defer></script> <div class="g-recaptcha" data-theme="light" data-size="normal" data-sitekey="6LcuGgUqAAAAAE0QfPrz025qaXiUh0HhlrNuHTWk" data-callback="feedbackGrepCallback" data-expired-callback="feedbackGrepExpiredCallback" ></div> </div> <div class="feedback__submit"> <input type="submit" name="form_email_240614_submit" value="Submit feedback" class="sq-form-submit" id="form_email_240614_submit" /> </div> <button type="button" tabindex="0" class="feedback__close-modal">&Cross;</button> </div> </div> </form>  <div class="feedback__share"> <div class="feedback__title">Share</div> <div class="feedback__share-links"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-information-rights/request-an-official-document-held-by-a-minister" class="feedback__social-link"> <svg width="10" height="18" viewBox="0 0 10 18" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M9.17485 10.0485L9.68366 6.81553H6.50063V4.71845C6.50063 3.83376 6.94445 2.97087 8.37013 2.97087H9.81818V0.218447C9.81818 0.218447 8.5046 0 7.24931 0C4.62669 0 2.91409 1.54877 2.91409 4.35146V6.81553H0V10.0485H2.91409V17.8646C3.49913 17.9541 4.09765 18 4.70736 18C5.31707 18 5.91559 17.9541 6.50063 17.8646V10.0485H9.17485Z" fill="currentColor"/></svg> Facebook </a> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-information-rights/request-an-official-document-held-by-a-minister" class="feedback__social-link"> <svg width="19" height="15" viewBox="0 0 1200 1227" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M714.163 519.284 1160.89 0h-105.86L667.137 450.887 357.328 0H0l468.492 681.821L0 1226.37h105.866l409.625-476.152 327.181 476.152H1200L714.137 519.284h.026ZM569.165 687.828l-47.468-67.894-377.686-540.24h162.604l304.797 435.991 47.468 67.894 396.2 566.721H892.476L569.165 687.854v-.026Z" fill="currentColor"></path></svg> Twitter </a> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite?url=https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-information-rights/request-an-official-document-held-by-a-minister" class="feedback__social-link"> <svg width="16" height="18" viewBox="0 0 16 16" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M3.60001 16H0.199997V5.3H3.60001V16ZM1.9 3.8C0.800002 3.8 0 3 0 1.9C0 0.8 0.900002 0 1.9 0C3 0 3.8 0.8 3.8 1.9C3.8 3 3 3.8 1.9 3.8ZM16 16H12.6V10.2C12.6 8.5 11.9 8 10.9 8C9.89999 8 8.89999 8.8 8.89999 10.3V16H5.5V5.3H8.7V6.8C9 6.1 10.2 5 11.9 5C13.8 5 15.8 6.1 15.8 9.4V16H16Z" fill="currentColor"/></svg> Linkedin </a> </div> </div>  </div> </main>   <div class="footer"> <div class="footer__upper"> <div class="footer__upper--wrapper"> <div class="back-to-top__wrapper"> <button class="back-to-top" aria-label="Back to top"> <svg class="back-to-top__icon" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" width="28" height="47" viewBox="0 0 28 47" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M6 8.82715L14 1.00106" stroke="white" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"/><path d="M22 8.82715L14 1.00106" stroke="white" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"/><path d="M14 21L14 1" stroke="white" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"/><path d="M2.94 41V33.41H0.36V31.25H8.1V33.41H5.52V41H2.94ZM13.2027 41.18C12.5227 41.18 11.9027 41.065 11.3427 40.835C10.7927 40.605 10.3177 40.275 9.9177 39.845C9.5277 39.405 9.2227 38.87 9.0027 38.24C8.7827 37.6 8.6727 36.88 8.6727 36.08C8.6727 35.28 8.7827 34.57 9.0027 33.95C9.2227 33.32 9.5277 32.795 9.9177 32.375C10.3177 31.945 10.7927 31.62 11.3427 31.4C11.9027 31.18 12.5227 31.07 13.2027 31.07C13.8727 31.07 14.4877 31.18 15.0477 31.4C15.6077 31.62 16.0827 31.945 16.4727 32.375C16.8727 32.805 17.1827 33.33 17.4027 33.95C17.6227 34.57 17.7327 35.28 17.7327 36.08C17.7327 36.88 17.6227 37.6 17.4027 38.24C17.1827 38.87 16.8727 39.405 16.4727 39.845C16.0827 40.275 15.6077 40.605 15.0477 40.835C14.4877 41.065 13.8727 41.18 13.2027 41.18ZM13.2027 38.96C13.7927 38.96 14.2527 38.705 14.5827 38.195C14.9227 37.675 15.0927 36.97 15.0927 36.08C15.0927 35.19 14.9227 34.505 14.5827 34.025C14.2527 33.535 13.7927 33.29 13.2027 33.29C12.6127 33.29 12.1477 33.535 11.8077 34.025C11.4777 34.505 11.3127 35.19 11.3127 36.08C11.3127 36.97 11.4777 37.675 11.8077 38.195C12.1477 38.705 12.6127 38.96 13.2027 38.96ZM19.4784 41V31.25H23.0484C23.5784 31.25 24.0834 31.305 24.5634 31.415C25.0434 31.515 25.4634 31.695 25.8234 31.955C26.1834 32.205 26.4684 32.54 26.6784 32.96C26.8984 33.37 27.0084 33.88 27.0084 34.49C27.0084 35.09 26.8984 35.605 26.6784 36.035C26.4684 36.465 26.1834 36.82 25.8234 37.1C25.4634 37.37 25.0484 37.575 24.5784 37.715C24.1084 37.845 23.6184 37.91 23.1084 37.91H22.0584V41H19.4784ZM22.0584 35.87H22.9884C23.4984 35.87 23.8734 35.75 24.1134 35.51C24.3634 35.27 24.4884 34.93 24.4884 34.49C24.4884 34.05 24.3534 33.74 24.0834 33.56C23.8134 33.38 23.4284 33.29 22.9284 33.29H22.0584V35.87Z" fill="white"/></svg> </button> </div> <div class="footer__logo-group"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0020/12962/logo.svg" class="logo--main" alt="OAIC logo"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/about-the-OAIC/access-our-information/freedom-of-information-requests-to-the-oaic" class="footer-logo" aria-label="OAIC sub-logo"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0021/12963/logo2.svg" class="logo--sub" alt="OAIC sub logo"> </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/about-the-OAIC/access-our-information/our-information-publication-scheme" class="footer-logo" aria-label="OAIC Information Publication Scheme"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0026/91385/ips_white_text.png" class="logo--sub" width="120px" alt="Information Publication Scheme"> </a> </div><div class="footer__link-group"> <ul class="link-list"> <li><a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/sitemap" class="footer-link" aria-label="Site map">Site map</a></li><li><a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/about-the-OAIC/copyright" class="footer-link" aria-label="Copyright">Copyright</a></li><li><a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/about-the-OAIC/terms-and-conditions" class="footer-link" aria-label="Terms and conditions">Terms and conditions</a></li><li><a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/about-the-OAIC/our-corporate-information/plans-policies-and-procedures/privacy-policy" class="footer-link" aria-label="Privacy policy">Privacy policy</a></li><li><a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/about-the-OAIC/accessibility" class="footer-link" aria-label="Accessibility">Accessibility</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="footer__lower"> <div class="footer__util-group"> <div class="footer__contact"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/contact-us" class="contact--link" aria-label="Contact us">Contact us</a> <a href="tel:1300 363 992" class="contact--phone" aria-label="Call 1300 363 992">1300 363 992</a> <p class="contact--hours">Monday to Thursday 10 am to 4 pm (AEST/AEDT)</p> </div> <div id="footer_language_listing_13517"> <div class="footer__language-list"> <label for="languages">Translations</label> <select name="languages" id="languages" onChange="if (this.value.startsWith('https://www.oaic.gov.au')) window.location = this.value;"> <option value="">Please select…</option> <option lang="ar" value="https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/translations/arabic">العربية</option><option lang="zh" value="https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/translations/chinese">中文</option><option lang="el" value="https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/translations/greek">ελληνικός</option><option lang="it" value="https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/translations/italian">Italiano</option><option lang="es" value="https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/translations/spanish">Español</option><option lang="th" value="https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/translations/thai">ไทย</option><option lang="vi" value="https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/translations/vietnamese">Tiếng Việt</option><option lang="EN" value="https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/translations/easy-english">Easy English</option> </select> </div> </div> <div class="footer__social"> <p class="social--header">Follow us</p> <ul class="social-list"> <li> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OAICgov" class="social-link social-link--facebook" aria-label="OAIC on Facebook"> <img class="social-icon" src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0025/12958/facebook.svg" alt="OAIC on Facebook"> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://twitter.com/OAICgov" class="social-link social-link--twitter" aria-label="OAIC on Twitter" > <img class="social-icon" src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0026/12959/x-logo.svg" alt="OAIC on Twitter"> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/oaicgov" class="social-link social-link--youtube" aria-label="OAIC on Youtube" > <img class="social-icon" src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0018/12960/youtube.svg" alt="OAIC on Youtube"> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://au.linkedin.com/company/office-of-the-australian-information-commissioner" class="social-link social-link--linkedin" aria-label="OAIC on Linkedin"> <img class="social-icon" src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0019/12961/linkedin.svg" alt="OAIC on Linkedin"> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/oaicgov/" class="social-link social-link--Instagram" aria-label="OAIC on Instagram" > <img class="social-icon" src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0023/91364/Instagram_Glyph_White.svg" alt="OAIC on Instagram"> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="footer__content-group"> <p class="footer__content-header">Acknowledgement of Country</p> <p class="footer__content-text">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.</p> <p class="footer__content-copyright">© Commonwealth of Australia</p> </div> </div> </div>   </div>   <div id="footer_js" style="display: none !important;"> <script src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/js/runtime.js?h=06ed308"></script> <script src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/js/main.js?h=06ed308"></script> <script src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/js_file/0025/242791/custom.js"></script> <script> var lhsWrapper = document.querySelector('.lhs-wrapper'); if(lhsWrapper) { lhsWrapper.innerHTML.trim() === '' ? lhsWrapper.style.display='none' : ''; } //Readpeaker function readSpeaker() { var readButtonContent = ` <div id="readspeaker_button1" class="rs_skip rsbtn rs_preserve"> <a rel="nofollow" class="rsbtn_play" accesskey="L" title="Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker webReader" href="//app-oc.readspeaker.com/cgi-bin/rsent?customerid=9755&lang=en_au&readclass=page-content&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.oaic.gov.au%2Ffreedom-of-information%2Fyour-freedom-of-information-rights%2Frequest-an-official-document-held-by-a-minister"> <span class="rsbtn_left rsimg rspart"><span class="rsbtn_text"><span>Listen</span></span></span> <span class="rsbtn_right rsimg rsplay rspart"></span> </a> </div>`; var readButtonSearch = ` <div id="readspeaker_button2" class="rs_skip rsbtn rs_preserve"> <a rel="nofollow" class="rsbtn_play" accesskey="L" title="Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker webReader" href="//app-oc.readspeaker.com/cgi-bin/rsent?customerid=9755&lang=en_au&readclass=search-content&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.oaic.gov.au%2Ffreedom-of-information%2Fyour-freedom-of-information-rights%2Frequest-an-official-document-held-by-a-minister"> <span class="rsbtn_left rsimg rspart"><span class="rsbtn_text"><span>Listen</span></span></span> <span class="rsbtn_right rsimg rsplay rspart"></span> </a> </div>`; //for content pages var pageContent = document.querySelector('.page-content'); //for search pages var pageSearch = document.querySelector('.search-content'); if(pageContent) pageContent.insertAdjacentHTML('afterbegin', readButtonContent); if(pageSearch) pageSearch.insertAdjacentHTML('afterbegin', readButtonSearch); } readSpeaker(); </script> <script> function feedbackGrepCallback(response) { if (response.length > 0) { document.querySelector(".feedback__submit input").disabled = false } } function feedbackGrepExpiredCallback(response) { if (!response) { document.querySelector(".feedback__submit input").disabled = true } } </script> </div> <style> .page-content section.banner-grey-newsroom__wrapper, .page-content section.landing-page { display: none; } </style>   </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Request an official document held by a minister | OAIC