How to make an RTI application

To help us process your Right to Information (RTI) request for information held by our department, complete the application form and give us enough information to identify the documents you want. For further information regarding information we hold refer to our list of frequently requested documents.

How to apply

To apply for information held by us under the Right to Information Act 2009 (RTI Act), you need to:

• complete the online application form or paper application form (PDF)
• pay the application fee with your RTI access application, which cannot be waived (note: there is no application fee for applications seeking only your own personal information)
• ensure you provide an address where we can send written correspondence (postal address or email address)
• provide an original certified copy of your identification (if the information you are requesting contains your personal information).

If you can’t access the forms online, ask us to send a paper copy of the application form and return it to us once completed.

How to apply to our independent statutory authorities

To apply for information held by our independent statutory authorities, make an application directly to them by choosing the relevant authority below and contacting them through the contact details published on their website:

• Crime and Corruption Commission
• Electoral Commission of Queensland
• Forensic Science Queensland
• Legal Aid Queensland
• Legal Practitioners Admissions Board
• Legal Services Commission
• Office of the Director of Child Protection Litigation
• Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
• Office of the Independent Implementation Supervisor—Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce reforms
• Office of the Information Commissioner
• Office of the Public Advocate
• Office of the Public Guardian
• Office of the Queensland Ombudsman
• Prostitution Licensing Authority
• Public Trustee (Queensland)
• Queensland Family and Child Commission
• Queensland Human Rights Commission
• Queensland Law Reform Commission
• Queensland Law Society
• Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council
• Queensland State Archives.

Fees and charges

You may also need to pay processing or access charges. We will notify you of these once we have received and reviewed your application.

Learn more about RTI application fees and charges.

Credit/debit card payments will be accepted as part of an online application process. Credit/debit card details will not be accepted for payment of the application fee via email, post, telephone or in person. If you wish to pay by credit/debit card—but not via the online application process—we can provide a web link (URL) that will direct you to a payment portal.

If you wish to pay by cheque or money order, please make it payable to the ‘Department of Justice' and return to:

Right to Information and Privacy
Department of Justice
GPO Box 149
BRISBANE  QLD  4001

Certified copy

An original certified copy is considered valid if it is witnessed by a lawyer, notary public, Justice of the Peace or Commissioner for Declarations or a pharmacist.

Certified identity documents (ID) can be emailed, posted or delivered/sighted in person.

Examples of ID include:

• identifying page of current passport
• birth certificate
• driver licence
• personal watercraft licence or recreational marine driver licence
• photo identification + card
• statutory declaration from an individual who has known the person for at least 1 year.

Applicants in prison

If you are in prison, you or your agent/representative may provide a certified copy of your correctional centre ID card as certified by a correctional services officer.

Applying on someone’s behalf

If someone is acting as your agent or on your behalf, they must also provide evidence that they have authority to act on your behalf.

Information to provide

You need to give us enough information about the documents you are requesting to help us identify and locate them in the department. This could include topic, business area, date range, names etc. If you don’t give us enough information, it may delay the processing of your application.

The type of information you need to provide will depend on the type of documents you are looking for.

Type of information	Sufficient information criteria
Corporate Services	subject matter and date range any names or entities (e.g. businesses, companies)
Crown Law	name of matter subject of matter
Ethical Standards Unit	name of complainant name of subject of complaint
Internal Audit	subject matter of audit date of audit
Office of Liquor, Gaming and Regulation	name and address of venue name of complainant
Office of Fair Trading	name and address of trader name of complainant / incorporated entity
Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) administrative files (not tribunal files)	date of correspondence/incident/documents subject of matter
Queensland Courts administrative files (not court files)	date of correspondence/incident/documents subject of matter
Strategic Policy and Legislation	subject type date range
Queensland Workers Screening Services (QWSS). Includes Blue Card Services and Disability Worker Screening	name, date of birth and address of applicant
Queensland State Archives	subject type date range
Other documents	enough information about the document to enable an officer to identify it

Accessing the documents

You have 40 business days after the date of the decision to access any released documents.

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