Notes For Applicants

• You can view an electronic copy of the Freedom of Information Act 1992 (FOI Act) on the Office of the Information Commissioner’s website or purchase a copy from the WA legislation website.
• DFES may request proof of your identity or evidence of consent where you have submitted this application on behalf of another person.
• Your application will be dealt with as soon as practicable (Section 13(3) of the FOI Act provides 45 days), however, where necessary extensions may be obtained.

Fees and Charges

        Application Fee

• Applications seeking your own personal information or amendment of your own personal information are free of any fee or charge.
• Applications for all other documents attract an application fee of $30.00. This fee cannot be waived and is required to make a valid application.

        Processing Fee

• The FOI Act and FOI Regulations outline that an agency can impose charges for dealing with an access application. The Office of the Information Commissioner has found that charges may be imposed for:
• consulting with third parties, if necessary;
• examining documents, exercising judgment and making decisions on access;
• deleting exempt matters where appropriate;
• preparing a notice of decision; and
• providing access in the manner required.
• Discounts may be available in certain cases. For example; if you are considered financially disadvantaged and/or are the holder of a pensioner concession card, a reduction in processing charges may apply.
• If charges apply DFES will send you a statement of payable charges.
• Where a processing fee applies, the current breakdown is as follows:
  • $30.00 per hour of staff time processing charge
  • $30.00 per hour of staff time photocopying time
  • $0.20 p/photocopy
  • $0.60 per photograph
• Further information can be obtained from DFES’ FOI Coordinator: foi@dfes.wa.gov.au or 08 9395 9480.