Information publication scheme
The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act) establishes an Information Publication Scheme (IPS) for Australian Government agencies subject to the Act. The IPS provides a framework for pro-active publication of information by agencies and gives effect to the objects of the FOI Act. This includes recognition that information held by the Government is to be managed for public purposes and is a national resource.
The IPS requires agencies subject to the FOI Act to publish certain information. For example, details about the agency’s structure and functions, annual reports, information routinely provided to the Australian Parliament, and information on who to contact to make a request for access to documents held by the agency. The IPS also requires that agencies publish an IPS plan that explains how they intend to implement and administer the IPS. The IPS does not require agencies to publish material that is exempt under the FOI Act, or is prohibited from being released under other laws.
You can find out more about the Information Publication Scheme on the website of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner or under Part II of the FOI Act.
Information we are required to publish
IPS agency plan
We are required to publish an IPS agency plan. Read the OSI Information Publication Scheme Agency Plan 2021.
Who we are
We are required to publish information about the structure of our organisation and details of appointments of officers of the agency that are made under Acts (other than APS employees within the meaning of the Public Service Act 1999).
You can find information about who we are through the About Us and Our People pages on our website.
There are currently no officers of the OSI appointed to the agency under Acts (other than APS employees within the meaning of the Public Service Act 1999).
What we do
We are required to publish details of our functions. This includes decision‑making powers and other powers affecting members of the public, as well as operational information. Section 8A of the FOI Act defines operational information to mean information held by the agency to assist the agency to perform or exercise the agency’s functions or powers in making decisions or recommendations affecting members of the public (or any particular person or entity, or class of persons or entities).
The Order to Establish the Office of the Special Investigator as an Executive Agency formally established the OSI under section 65 of the Public Service Act 1999 on 4 January 2021. You can find more information about what we do on the Our Purpose page.
Our reports and responses to the Australian Parliament
We are required to publish information in annual reports which we prepare and lay before the Parliament and information which we routinely provide in response to requests and orders from the Parliament.
For reports and information which we routinely provide to the Australian Parliament, see Freedom of Information.
Routinely requested information and disclosure log
We are required to publish information that we routinely give access to in response to requests made under the FOI Act, except the following:
- personal information about any individual, if it would be unreasonable to publish the information
- information about the business, commercial, financial or professional affairs of any person, if it would be unreasonable to publish the information
- other information of a kind determined by the Information Commissioner under subsection (3), if it would be unreasonable to publish the information.
See our Disclosure Log.
Consultation arrangements
We are required to publish details of arrangements for members of the public to comment on policy proposals for which we are responsible, including how (and to whom) those comments may be made.
As the OSI is not a policy agency, it is unlikely we will be required to make arrangements regarding public consultation for policy proposals.
Contact us
We are required to publish contact details of an officer (or officers) who can be contacted about access to information or documents under the FOI Act.
For information on making a request to the OSI for access to documents under the FOI Act, see Freedom of Information.
Use our Contact Us form to contact our Information Access and Records Manager to:
- ask for help with making a request
- make a request for access to documents
- request internal review of a decision on access we have given you
- enquire about documents on our disclosure log.
Feedback
You can contact our Information Access and Records Manager to provide feedback and comments about information we publish under the IPS. This includes compliance with the IPS and whether information is easily discoverable, understandable and machine readable.