ARPANSA - Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency

Under section 15 of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 1982, any person is entitled to apply for access to documents of Govenrment agencies.

Requests for access to information under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 ('the FOI Act') must be made in writing and addressed to:

The FOI Co-ordinator
ARPANSA
PO Box 655
MIRANDA  NSW  1490

(02) 9541 8301 tel

Requests must be accompanied by a $30.00 application fee. The FOI Act provides for the reduction of the application fee or waiver of the fee in certain circumstances.

It should be noted that in many cases, it is not necessary to use FOI processes as the information sought by the applicant may be readily available. General information queries can be directed to the ARPANSA switchboard on 1800 022  333 (freecall) or (03) 9433 2211.

In accordance with s.51(2)(a) of the FOI Act, a person wishing to lodge a FOI request must:

• make the request in writing;
• provide such information about the document(s) as is reasonably necessary to enable the document(s) to be identified;
• specify an address in Australia to which notices may be sent;
• send the request by post; and
• include the $30.00 application fee (please do not send cash through the post).

In accordance with ARPANSA’s procedures for processing FOI requests, the FOI Co-ordinator may, in some instances, need to consult applicants about access to documents under the FOI Act. Consultation is required to:

• assist the applicant to identify, more specifically, documents which he or she has requested; or
• give to the applicant a reasonable opportunity for consultation before refusing a request on the grounds of insufficient information (s.15(2) of the FOI Act) or if the request requires a substantial and unreasonable diversion of resources (s.24(1) of the FOI Act); or
• notify the applicant of the charges and the deposit that is payable, or to discuss a request that the charges be reduced or waived.

As at 1 January 2004, Branch Directors of ARPANSA are authorised under s.23 of the FOI Act to make primary decisions on applications for access to documents held in their individual areas. Access is generally provided by way of copies of documents to applicants. In addition the CEO of ARPANSA is authorised to review primary decisions on FOI requests made to ARPANSA.

 

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