The Information Commissioner has formally issued guidelines under section 93A of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).

Government agencies must have regard to these guidelines in performing a function or exercising a power under the FOI Act. The Guidelines also summarise the key provisions of the FOI Act and outline important amendments that were made to the FOI Act by the Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Act 2010. The Guidelines are divided into Parts based on subject matter. The Parts that have been issued are:

Part 1 Introduction to the Freedom of Information Act 1982
Part 2 Scope of application of the Freedom of Information Act
Part 10 Review by the Information Commissioner
Part 11 Complaints and investigations
Part 12 Vexatious applicant declarations

A preface and glossary has also been published. The Australian Information Commissioner will issue further Parts of the Guidelines in the first half of 2011.

The following new fact sheets are now available on the OAIC’s website:
FOI Fact Sheet 5 – Freedom of information: Your personal information
FOI Fact Sheet 6 – Freedom of information: How to apply
FOI Fact Sheet 8 – Freedom of information: Exemptions
FOI Fact Sheet 11– Freedom of information: Your rights if information about you or your business is requested