Understanding indicative reprints of the IPOLA Act

As public sector agencies get ready for the reforms under the Information Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2023 (IPOLA Act), it is important for staff to have a clear understanding of legislative resources during this transition period.

The IPOLA Act amends the Right to Information Act 2009 (RTI Act) and Information Privacy Act 2009 (IP Act) in the most significant change to Queensland’s information integrity legislation since 2009.

It is important to note the bulk of the legislative changes commence on 1 July 2025, which is why agencies must use this time now to prepare in advance.

Public sector staff can find the current versions of the RTI and IP Acts on the Queensland Legislation website and should remember that existing legislative obligations remain in force until the IPOLA reform provisions commence.

Significant IPOLA changes include the introduction of a single right of access, where all access and amendment applications will be processed through the RTI Act, and adoption of new Queensland Privacy Principles to replace the existing National Privacy Principles and Information Privacy Principles. These two changes are not yet in force, and agencies are required to continue to meet their legislative obligations in line with the current legislation.

While agencies prepare for the reforms beginning 1 July 2025, they should refer to the IPOLA Act on the Queensland Legislation website, and not the indicative reprints, to ensure they are referring to the amendments passed by Parliament.

An indicative reprint is an unofficial version of legislation that incorporates the proposed amendments as drafted in the Bill introduced to Parliament. It is important to understand that indicative reprints are produced for information only, and the legislation that ultimately comes into force may differ from the indicative reprint.

In the case of IPOLA and the changes to the RTI and IP Acts, OIC would like to stress that the indicative reprints do not show the final approved legislation. This is because it shows the legislation as it was introduced to Parliament, whereas the IPOLA Bill was subsequently amended during the Bill’s passage through Parliament.

Indicative reprints and further explanatory notes are available by accessing the legislative history of the IPOLA Act on the Queensland Legislation website. You can also find information about reprints and FAQs which include guidance on new features to compare reprints.

Until the IPOLA reforms commence and in force legislative reprints are published for the RTI and IP Acts, agencies will need to use the resources noted above along with OIC’s range of IPOLA guidelines and staged training program to build agency preparedness.

OIC’s IPOLA team has just finished an awareness roadshow across Queensland as part of the training. Stage two of the training program is expected to roll-out in October.

To stay up-to-date with IPOLA news, subscribe to OIC’s weekly newsletter or check out our dedicated IPOLA webpage.