Welcome from the Information Commissioner
I am very pleased to welcome you to the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) website.
In the biggest change to freedom of information in New South Wales in 20 years, the new Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act) replaced the Freedom of Information Act 1989 (NSW) on 1 July 2010.
The new right to information laws promote openness, accountability and transparency and will make government agencies more proactive in providing information to the public.
As New South Wales' inaugural Information Commissioner, I am committed to working with the state and local government agencies to assist them with these reforms.
We are consulting stakeholders on the effect of the new legislation and on their responsibilities, and providing advice where required.
The OIC website features a comprehensive library of information, advice, templates and presentations to assist agencies and members of the public in understanding the new right to information system.
The website is designed to support both those seeking information and those providing the information. As the work of the OIC progresses, the site will also provide regular updates on activities such as training, reviews conducted, complaints lodged, and decisions made.
I encourage you to contact our office via email at oicinfo@oic.nsw.gov.au or free call 1800 INFOCOM (1800 463 626) to register for future email alerts or to lodge a question, request or suggestion. Alternatively, you may wish to visit our new office at Level 11, 1 Castlereagh Street, Sydney.
Select a topic below to learn more about the various activities related to the establishment of Office of the Information Commissioner.
Deirdre O'Donnell
Information Commissioner
What's new?
Compliance guidelines and checklist published
30 June 2010
In order to assist agencies to comply with the GIPA Act, the OIC has published a compliance guide and a checklist explaining the requirements under the Act.
GIPA Act management and reporting form now online
30 June 2010
A new GIPA Act access application form is now available for agencies. From August this form will be replaced by the web-based GIPA case management and reporting system to assist agencies to process and report on formal access applications.
The OIC is working closely with the RTA to develop a system that will meet the needs of government agencies. The system will be operational by 30 July 2010.
New knowledge update published
29 June 2010
A new knowledge update is available that provides advice to agencies on creating publication guides.
OIC policies and procedures
29 June 2010
The OIC is committed to sharing information on how we do business. The first of our policies and procedures guides explains the OIC's approach to monitoring compliance with the GIPA Act.
OIC information sheets
29 June 2010
In driving the implementation of right to information reforms in NSW, the OIC provides a range of services to government agencies, members of the public, community organisations and the media. Our first information sheet explains the range of resources we offer to help agencies comply with the new right to information legislation.
GIPA Regulations released
22 June 2010
The GIPA Regulations are now available and can be accessed on the Parliamentary Counsel's website.
GIPA Act guidelines for local councils
22 June 2010
The OIC has published new guidelines to help local councils determine the public interest considerations for and against disclosure of information contained in the returns disclosing the interests of councillors and designated persons.
New knowledge update – Informal release of information
11 June 2010
The OIC has published a new knowledge update to assist agencies with the 'informal release' provisions of the GIPA Act. The update also includes an example of a hypothetical agency that exercises a range of functions and holds a variety of information.
Right to information laws set to commence
14 May 2010
Media release (PDF, 111kb)
OIC welcomes passage of Federal Government's Freedom of Information legislation
13 May 2010
The Federal Government's FOI reform legislation, the Australian Government Information Commissioner Bill 2010 and the Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Bill 2010, passed through Parliament today. For full details, please see the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet FOI reform webpage.
New legislation to commence on 1 July 2010
29 April 2010
The Attorney General has announced that the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act) will commence on 1 July 2010.
Inaugural Information Commissioner appointed
29 April 2010
The Governor has officially appointed Deirdre O'Donnell as New South Wales' inaugural Information Commissioner. Ms O'Donnell will take up her post on 10 May 2010.
New knowledge update – What is an agency?
12 April 2010
The OIC has published a new knowledge update to clarify the definition of an "agency" under the GIPA Act.
Open access information advice and examples now online
7 April 2010
In order to help government agencies prepare for the commencement of the GIPA Act, the OIC has published a range of advice and examples for agencies to use to create their own open access information, including publication guides, disclosure logs and registers of government contracts.
Nominated Information Commissioner bio
7 April 2010
More details on the nominated Information Commissioner Deirdre O'Donnell are available here.
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