Making an FOI request

If you are seeking access under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to documents we hold you need to apply in writing either by email or by post to:

FOI Coordinator
National Library of Australia
Parkes Place
Parkes ACT 2600

Section 13(1)(b) of the FOI Act exempts collection material from release under the FOI process. For assistance accessing collection material, please visit Ask a Librarian.

To make a valid FOI request, you must:

• make the request in writing;
• state that it is an application for the purposes of the FOI Act;
• provide sufficient information about the document(s) to enable the Library to identify them;
• give details about how notices can be sent to you (this can include an email address); and
• send your request to the Library by either post or email.

You should always check whether the information you are seeking access to is already available through our Information Publication Scheme or in our Disclosure Log.

Fees and charges

There are no processing charges for requests for access to documents containing only personal information about you. 

Processing charges may apply to other requests. These charges include:

• time for search and retrieval;
• decision making time;
• photocopying;
• supervision by a Library officer of your on-site inspection of documents; and
• posting or delivering documents to you.

If we decide to impose a charge, we will give you a written estimate and the basis of our calculation.

There is no application fee for making an FOI request or a request for internal review.

Facilities for access

The Library will provide copies of the documents you have requested once a decision has been made to release information and any applicable charges have been received. Alternatively, you can arrange to inspect documents at the Library.

Certain documents released to you under the FOI Act may also be published online on our Disclosure Log.

If you disagree with our decision

You can request in writing that we reconsider our decision through an internal review. You can also request the Australian Information Commissioner to review our original decision or our internal review decision within 60 days of the date of the decision or 30 days after you are notified if you are an affected third party.

More information on FOI processes is available from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.