Accessing government information

Government agencies make information available to the public: 

• proactively where possible through agency publication schemes – which set out the kinds of information that are routinely available, generally on an agency’s website

• in response to request to an agency through an administrative access scheme for specific types of agency information – for example a person’s medical records

• as a last resort, through legislative access processes, where an agency decision maker can carefully consider whether disclosure would be contrary to the public interest

To access government information, first go to the relevant agency’s website, particularly the publication scheme.

The publications scheme outlines the types of information that agencies make readily available to the public, how they can be accessed and any costs that may apply.

Some information can be accessed from links provided in the publication scheme. Where information is made available by the agency but not published on the website, the publication scheme outlines how that information can be accessed.

If access to the internet is not available or the information required cannot be found on the agency website, contact the agency to request the information.

Use the legal process to make an application to the agency only if the information cannot be accessed from the agency’s website or by contacting the agency to request the information.

For further information on the Right to Information process, see the Queensland Government Right to Information website: www.rti.qld.gov.au.