F/6.3 Access to information
Policy Owner | Governance Manager, Governance, Legal and Performance |
Approval Date | 14/10/2022 |
Approval Authority | Vice-Chancellor and President |
Date of Next Review | 01/10/2025 |
6.3.1 Purpose
6.3.2 Application
6.3.3 Roles and responsibilities
6.3.4 University policies
6.3.5 Publication scheme
6.3.6 Administrative access
6.3.7 Legislated access
6.3.8 Delegations
Related Documents
Modification History
6.3.1 Purpose
QUT is committed to providing, as far as possible, an open environment which enables members of the public and the QUT community to obtain access to information in the University’s possession.
In support of this objective, QUT promotes engagement with the community by releasing or publishing information about its activities wherever possible.6.3.2 Application
As a public authority, QUT is required by the Right to Information Act 2009 (Qld) (the RTI Act) and the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld) (the IP Act) to give access to information, including personal information, in documents in its possession or under its control, unless it would be contrary to the public interest (F/6.3.6 Legislated access scheme).
This policy applies to all QUT staff and to individuals seeking access to information in documents held by QUT or under its control.
This policy does not apply to entities that are not part of QUT.
6.3.3 Roles and responsibilities
Position |
Responsibility |
---|---|
Vice-Chancellor and President |
|
Vice-President (Administration) and University Registrar |
|
Decision-maker (Governance, Legal and Performance) |
|
Governance Manager (Governance, Legal and Performance) |
|
Heads of organisational units |
|
All staff |
|
6.3.4 University policies
QUT policy documents are published online in an open access repository (Manual of Policies and Procedures).
6.3.5 Publication scheme
QUT has a Publication Scheme which provides detailed information on its functions, activities and the information it holds. The Publication Scheme includes information which can be accessed online and promotes engagement by the community with information about the University’s activities.
6.3.6 Administrative access
Consistent with the University’s commitment to openness and transparency, the University has a number of administrative access schemes which may allow individuals to access documents and information without formal application under the RTI Act or IP Act. The schemes are published on QUT’s website and noted below.
6.3.7 Legislated access
Application
There will be occasions where it is necessary or appropriate for an application to be made formally under the RTI Act or the IP Act, for instance, where third party or sensitive information is requested or where there are grounds for considering that the release of information may be contrary to the public interest (as defined in the RTI Act). The RTI/Privacy Officer will determine this requirement on a case-by-case basis.
Procedures and requirements for making applications under the relevant legislation are published on QUT’s website.
The decision maker will assist an applicant to make an application which is compliant with the requirements of these Acts. Under the legislative scheme, applications must be for access to documents (not information) in the University’s possession or control, and this requirement is enforced by the University.
Locating documents
Heads of organisational units must oversee document searches within their organisational area and must certify that all documents relevant to an application for access have been located. In the event that information cannot be located, a written statement must be provided to the decision maker certifying this and outlining steps that have been taken to locate documents responsive to the application. The RTI/Privacy Officer may require further searches to be undertaken where considered necessary to meet the requirements of the RTI and IP Acts.
Documents that are University records must be stored in accordance with the Records governance policy (F/6.1) or other relevant information or data management policies. Staff must make all reasonable efforts to locate documents subject to a RTI or IP application including providing them in full to the RTI/IP Officer when requested.
Charging for access to information
Where applications under the RTI Act are made, the fees and charges specified in the Act will be applied by the University.
Confidentiality
6.3.8 Delegations
Refer to Register of Authorities and Delegations (VC004, VC005) (QUT staff access only).
Related Documents
MOPP B/8.1 QUT Staff Code of Conduct
MOPP C/5.1 Assessment and feedback
MOPP F/6.1 Records governance
MOPP D/2.8 Management of research data and primary materials
MOPP I/1.2 QUT Engagement Framework
Access to a student’s own information
Access to a staff member’s own information
Requests for access to personal information from third parties acting as representatives
Confirmation of payroll or employee status to financial and other organisations (QUT staff access only)
Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld)
Right to Information Act 2009 (Qld)
Modification History
Date | Sections | Source | Details |
14.10.22 | All | Vice-Chancellor and President | Periodic review - policy revised |
11.09.19 | All | Right to Information Officer/Privacy Officer | Periodic review - no change required |
24.06.16 | All | Vice-Chancellor | Periodic review and revised policy to include OIC recommendations |
23.10.13 | All | Manager, Policy and Compliance (Right to Information/Privacy Officer) | Periodic review - minor revisions only |
07.10.10 | All | Vice-Chancellor | Policy revised following rescinding of Freedom of Information Act 1992 and enactment of Right to Information Act 2009 and Information Privacy Act 2009. Renumbered to F/6.3 (formerly F/10.1) |
28.11.06 | All | Vice-Chancellor | Updated following 2005/06 amendments to FOI Act |
01.03.02 | F/10.1 | Registrar | Updated following November 2001 amendments to FOI Act |
07.08.00 | F/10.1.6 | FOI Officer | Updated |
10.11.98 | F/10.1.1 - F/10.1.6 | FOI Officer |
Updated |