Freedom of information disclosure

Right to access information

You have the right to request access to documents we hold.

Under the Freedom of Information Act 1982(Opens in a new tab/window) (Cth) (FOI Act), we may provide the document or part of the document you request, unless it's exempt.

We must publish a log of the disclosed documents on our website, in our annual report and in other reporting.

Freedom of information disclosure log

We must publish the information released in response to every FOI request in a disclosure log on our website. However, we don't make the information public if it would be unreasonable to do so. That includes certain:

• personal information
• information about a person's business, commercial, financial or professional affairs
• information that the Australian Information Commissioner determines is unreasonable to publish.

Information stays in the log for 12 months, unless the information is in the public interest.

What is covered under freedom of information

Anyone can make an FOI application, including:

• individuals (both citizens and non-citizens of Australia)
• organisations
• companies.
  

You can request access to a document or part of a document.

You have the right to request a review if we decide to deny your request to access a document.

Your personal information

You can also ask us to correct or update documents we hold that contain personal information about you if they're:

• incomplete
• out of date
• incorrect
• misleading.

You also have the right to ask for a review if we decide to deny your request to access or change a document containing your personal information.

Making a freedom of information request

You can make a request for yourself or on behalf of someone else. Or an agent can make a request on your behalf.

Writing a request

Your request must:

• be in writing
• state that the request is 'an application for the purposes of the FOI Act'
• describe the documents you seek in enough detail to allow the decision-maker to identify the documents
• give a reply address.

Sending a request

Email your FOI request to foi@blood.gov.au.

Or post it to:

Freedom of Information
National Blood Authority
Locked Bag 8430
Canberra ACT 2601

Cost of freedom of information requests

It does not cost anything to send us an FOI request. However, you may have to pay for access to a document, unless the document contains your own personal information.

Section 29 of the FOI Act allows us to charge for providing documents. The charge is in line with the Freedom of Information (Charges) Regulations 2019(Opens in a new tab/window) (Cth).

We will tell you if there will be a charge, and let you know a cost estimate, including any deposit. Common charges include for:

• search and retrieval – $15 per hour
• decision-making time – free for the first 5 hours and $20 per hour for every hour after
• postage.

You can ask us to waive or reduce the charge for reasons such as:

• financial hardship
• public interest.

We may ask you to explain your reasons and give evidence.

Processing time

Within 14 days of getting your request, we'll let you know:

• we have received your FOI request
• how much to pay, if there is a charge.

We are required to make a decision about your FOI request in writing within 30 days of receiving the request. However, the time frame may be extended if:

• we need to consult another party
• you agree in writing
• your request is complex or large
• if there is a charge with your FOI request and we are waiting for your response.

Proving your identity

We'll ask for ID if you request documents with personal information.

If it's someone else's personal information, both you and that person must give ID.

You can email or mail a certified true copy of your ID to us.

We accept:

• passports
• Australian driver's licences
• other identity documents, on a case-by-case basis.
  

Agents making a request on your behalf

An agent can request documents that contain your personal information. But we can't release your personal information without your written consent.

You will need to give the agent a letter stating your consent for us to release your personal information.

The agent must provide the letter to us with the FOI request.

Asking for a review

You can ask us to review our decision.

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has more information on your rights under the FOI Act(Opens in a new tab/window).

Deciding on access to documents

We can refuse to provide access to documents, or parts of documents, if they're exempt under the FOI Act.

Exempt documents

Exempt documents include:

• documents affecting national security or international relations
• documents which have confidential information obtained in confidence
• Cabinet documents
• documents with trade secrets or commercially valuable information
• documents subject to legal professional privilege.

We will explain the reason for our decision to deny access to a document or part of a document to you in writing.

Making a complaint

Please email us if you're unhappy with how we've handled your FOI request.

If you're still not satisfied with our response, you can lodge a complaint with the OAIC(Opens in a new tab/window).

The Commonwealth Ombudsman(Opens in a new tab/window) can also investigate complaints about our actions.

You can withdraw your complaint in writing at any time.

Get in touch

Email: foi@blood.gov.au