Right to Information (RTI) is the Queensland Government's approach to giving the community greater access to information, equal access across all sectors of the community, and appropriate protection for individuals' privacy. To fulfill our commitment Office of Industrial Relations (OIR) operates in accordance with the Right to Information Act 2009 (Qld) (RTI Act) andInformation Privacy Act 2009 (IP Act) requirements.
What is right to information
An individual has the right to request any information held by an agency that is non-personal and any documents containing their personal information.
The RTI Act promotes the release of information held by Government unless the information is exempt, or its release is not in the public interest.
The Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld) (IP Act) gives individuals a right to access and amend their personal information.
For more information about RTI rights, visit the Queensland Government website.
How do I access information held by OIR
Before starting the application process, check to see if the information is already available.
Check existing information
Our website contains information and documents which detail our services and business operations, many are accessible via our publication scheme. The publication scheme is designed to act as a 'route map' to assist people to find key information the department routinely publishes.
We also publish disclosure logs with our responses to OIR right to information requests:
- Work health, electrical safety and workers' compensation RTI 2020 and onwards disclosure log
- Work health, electrical safety and workers' compensation RTI disclosure log 2019 and earlier
- Labour hire licensing scheme RTI disclosure logs.
Making an application for access to documents
Sometimes, we can only release information through the formal RTI/IP process.
If the information you seek is not available in another way then you will need to make a formal access application under the RTI Act or the IP Act.
Please contact us prior to making an application to discuss the documents you are seeking, at:
Office of Industrial Relations
Right to Information
GPO Box 69, Brisbane Qld 4001
Ph: (07) 3406 9983
Email: rti@oir.qld.gov.au
Applications to access information held by OIR under the RTI Act and IP Act are made by completing the Right to Information and Information Privacy Access Application or you can submit an application for access to information online at rti.qld.gov.au.
Fees and charges
RTI applications – schedule of fees
If the information you are requesting does not contain your personal information, you will be required to pay an application fee. Charges are set by the State Government. The current application fee is $55.75 for 2023/24 and is payable at time of submitting the application.
Processing charges apply if your application takes more than five hours. For 2023/24 the fee is $8.65 for each 15 minutes, or part thereof, spent processing your application. OIR will provide you with a charges estimate notice if charges are applicable to your application.
We provide documents free of charge by secure file share gateway. If you require printed copies of the documents, access charges will apply.
It is important to know that even though you submit a RTI application, OIR may not provide you with the information you are seeking.
Next of kin right to information
Under the RTI Act, a family member can apply to a government agency for access to information the agency holds about their deceased family member.
IP applications
- you do not pay an application fee or processing charges
- you need to provide identification
- we provide documents free of charge via secure file share gateway. If you require printed copies of documents, access charges will apply.
How long will it take to process the application?
The RTI Act and IP Act allow agencies 25 business days to process an application, however this can be extended in certain circumstances. For example, if we are required to consult with third parties, the size and complexity of your application and current workloads with the agency.
Amending personal information in a document
Under the IP Act, you may apply for a document that contains your personal information to be amended if that document contains information that is inaccurate, incomplete, out of date or misleading. There is no fee for making this request.
You can submit an application using the Information privacy personal information amendment application form.
Submit your completed application to:
Office of Industrial Relations
Right to Information
GPO Box 69, Brisbane Qld 4001
Ph: (07) 3406 9983
Email: rti@oir.qld.gov.au
Disclosure log
Documents released in response to applications made under the RTI Act are contained in OIR’s Disclosure Log.
Certain information, e.g. personal information or information otherwise excluded by law from release will have been removed prior to release, therefore will not be contained in the documents available to access.
Accessing released documents
To access released documents please select the disclosure log period from the available list and then select the application and download the documents.
Appeal an RTI decision
If you are not satisfied with a decision made by OIR in relation to a RTI or IP application, you can apply for a review of the decision. You can do this by:
- requesting an internal review in writing to OIR within 20 business days of the date of the written decision. A person at the same level or more senior to the original decision-maker will make a new decision
- requesting an external review in writing to the Office of the Information Commissioner Queensland within 20 business days of the date of the written decision. The Information Commissioner may try to mediate a settlement between the parties or make a new decision.
Court documents and subpoenas
The Right to Information and Privacy team coordinates summonses, subpoenas and other formal notices that require OIR to produce documents and records for use in court proceedings and tribunals. The team ensures that legal processes are followed, and documents are supplied within the time frames required. Read more.
Further information
More information about RTI in Queensland is available at oic.qld.gov.au and the whole of government RTI website at rti.qld.gov.au.