The Department for Child Protection recognises the importance of confidentiality. Certain information collected by the department in the course of its child protection duties cannot be released. 

Accessing personal departmental records

You can apply for your records by completing a Freedom of Information application form (Word, 90KB). To make a request for personal records, the application must: 

• be in writing
• provide specific details written on the application form of the document(s) you require to assist us to process your request
• include identification
• application fee or claim for fee waiver. 

Accessing non-personal departmental records

While the majority of FOI requests received by the department relate to personal information, a number of FOI requests are received from MPs and the media seeking access to non-personal information such as: 

• statistical data
• internal communications
• reports
• policy documents.

If you are seeking access to non-personal information you are encouraged to contact the Freedom of Information team. 

From 1 October 2017, any non-personal information released through the Freedom of Information Act 1991 is published via a public disclosure log. 

Fees and charges

Application fee

Either an application fee of $34.25 or claim for fee waiver must be included when you lodge your FOI application. Payments can be made by money order or cheque made out to the Department for Child Protection.

Processing charges may also be applicable in accordance with the Freedom of Information (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2003. You will be advised if these charges are applicable once the department receives your application and begins processing it. 

Fee waivers

If you are the holder of a current concession card, or if you can satisfy that the payment of the fee or charge would cause financial hardship, the agency must waive or reduce or refund the application fee. 

Evidence is required to be submitted with your application. 

Information and documents available outside of FOI

Provision of information to care leavers

Section 153 of the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017 implements a recommendation of the Child Protection Systems Royal Commission report 'The Life They Deserve' enabling care leavers to access, free of charge, original and copy documents relating to them, instead of having to apply to apply for access under the Freedom of Information Act 1991. 

For information on how to apply for access to departmental records, see Provision of information to care leavers. 

Provision of adoption information

Section 27 of the Adoption Act 1988 enables certain people who are affected by an adoption to access information. 

For more information on how to apply see Applying for adoption information. 

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