Accessing departmental information
The department makes information available to the public:
- proactively where possible through our publications scheme
- in response to requests through an administrative access scheme
- through legislative access processes.
To access government information, first check the department’s website. The publications scheme outlines the types of information that the department makes available to the public, how the information can be accessed and any access costs that may apply. If access to the internet is not available or the information required cannot be found on the department website, contact the department to request the information.
Sometimes information will only be available through a legal process such as that established under the Right to Information Act 2009 or Information Privacy Act 2009. This is generally the case where a document contains information about third parties, or sensitive personal or commercial information and there are competing public interests to be balanced in deciding whether to give access to a document, such as individual privacy.
Ministerial Guidelines – Operation of Publication Schemes and Disclosure Logs have been issued for the purposes of section 21(3) and section 78, 78A and 78B of the Right to Information Act 2009.
Courts statistical information
The department provides a wide range of statistical information about the operation of Queensland Courts.
Information about the courts' workloads is available in the Supreme Court, District Court, Magistrates Court and Childrens Court of Queensland annual reports, as well as the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Criminal Courts, Australia publication.
Requesting additional data
If you require data that is not already available in reports produced by the department, Courts or Australian Bureau of Statistics you can request it by completing the data request form .
A courts staff member will then contact you to confirm the details, advise you of the information available and provide you with an estimate of how long the request will take.
Please note there are legislative restrictions that affect the information that can be provided. These include requests for data containing personal information, which will be referred to the department’s Right to Information and Privacy Unit for assessment.
Requests for courts data can be made by email or post.
Right to information principles
The Government is the custodian of information that belongs to the community, and will ensure information is available to all sectors of the community.
Disclosure log
Documents released to applicants under the Right to Information Act will be progressively published on our website on the disclosure log.
Publication scheme
Our publication scheme describes and categorises information routinely available from the department. It has been developed to give the community greater access to information as part of the response to the review of Freedom of Information laws.
Administrative access policies
Administrative Access Policies allow the department to give access to certain types of information as a matter of course without the need for a formal application under legislative schemes such as the RTI and IP Acts.
Administrative access other than under a scheme - 'one off' requests
The department receives ‘one off’ requests for access to particular documents on a daily basis, from copies of annual reports, to governance documents, to departmental policies. Where possible, the department strives to make documents available as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Accessing information for use in legal proceedings
If you are involved in court matters (criminal or civil), you can legally require a person to produce a document or item to the court.
Access under the statutory schemes - the RTI and the IP Acts
There are two key Acts that people can use to access documents held by Queensland Government: the Information Privacy Act 2009 (IP Act) and the Right to Information Act 2009 (RTI Act). Both the RTI Act and the IP Act allow people to apply for documents containing information. Documents include files, computer printouts, maps, plans, photographs, tape recordings, films or videotapes and other means of storing information, and copies, extracts from or parts of documents.
Making an application
You will need to complete the approved RTI access application form. Forms can be completed and lodged online, however there are certain mandatory requirements for a valid application that can only be sent via ordinary mail.
Access and amendment under the Information Privacy Act (IP Act)
The IP Act provides a very similar access mechanism to that contained in the RTI Act. The key difference is that a person may only apply to access documents containing their own personal information under the IP Act. If you wish to obtain access to documents that do not contain your personal information, you will need to apply under the RTI Act.
Types of personal information the department holds
The Information Privacy Act 2009 regulates how Queensland Government agencies manage personal information. Under the IP Act, Government agencies are required to manage personal information in accordance with the 11 Information Privacy Principles.
Right to information and privacy applications received
Information on the Right to Information and Information Privacy applications received for Department of Justice and Attorney-General documents.
Frequently requested documents
Information on frequently requested documents such as criminal history, birth and marriage certificates, coronial records, court transcripts, electoral roll, adoption information, health records, cabinet documents and ministerial media statements.
2009-10 Queensland Right to Information and Information Privacy Annual Report
2010-11 Queensland Right to Information and Information Privacy Annual Report
Right to Information Act 2009 and Information Privacy Act 2009 Annual Report 2010 – 2011
