Open Access Information

Under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act) all NSW agencies (including Universities as Public Offices) are required to make a range of open access information publicly available, unless there is an overriding public interest against disclosure of the information (OPIAD).

The benefit of open access information

The mandatory public release of open access information under the GIPA Act promotes consistent and transparent information sharing practices across NSW agencies. It provides members of the public with an immediate right of access to important government information.

What open access information are agencies required to make publicly available?

The GIPA Act defines open access information as:

• an agency information guide (AIG), describing an agency’s structure, functions, how those functions affect the public, the type of information held and how it is made publicly available.
• documents tabled in parliament by or on behalf of an agency
• an agency’s policy documents
• a disclosure log of information released under formal access applications that may be of general public interest.
• a register of contracts an agency has with private sector entities for $150,000 (inclusive of GST) or more.
• a record of the open access information that is not made public due to an overriding public interest against disclosure

How should open access information be made available?

All open access information must be available free of charge on an agency’s website, unless this would impose unreasonable costs. If an agency decides not to make information available for free on its website, at least one alternative method of access must be free of charge. Agencies may charge for open access information only if it is available for free in at least one other format.

If you cannot find the information you are looking for please contact the Right to Information Officer at rti@westernsydney.edu.au.