Contents

Part I--Preliminary                                                                                                               1

1............ Short title [see Note 1] ........................................................................ 1

2............ Commencement [see Note 1] .............................................................. 1

3............ Objects--general ................................................................................. 1

3A......... Objects--information or documents otherwise accessible .................. 2

4............ Interpretation ....................................................................................... 2

4A......... Certain legislation relating to Australian Capital Territory not to be enactment          16

4B......... Extension to Norfolk Island .............................................................. 16

5............ Act to apply to courts in respect of administrative matters ................ 16

6............ Act to apply to certain tribunals in respect of administrative matters . 17

6A......... Official Secretary to the Governor-General ....................................... 18

6C......... Requirement for Commonwealth contracts ....................................... 18

7............ Exemption of certain persons and bodies .......................................... 19

Part II--Information publication scheme                                                              22

Division 1--Guide to this Part                                                                                22

7A......... Information publication scheme--guide ............................................ 22

Division 2--Information to be published                                                           24

8............ Information to be published--what information? .............................. 24

8A......... Information to be published--what is operational information? ...... 26

8B......... Information to be published--accuracy etc. ...................................... 26

8C......... Information to be published--restrictions ......................................... 26

8D......... Information to be published--how (and to whom) information is to be published   27

8E.......... Information to be published--Information Commissioner to assist agencies            28

Division 3--Review of information publication scheme                            29

8F.......... Review of scheme--Information Commissioner functions ............... 29

9............ Review of scheme--by agencies ....................................................... 29

Division 4--Guidelines                                                                                                30

9A......... Functions and powers under this Part ............................................... 30

Division 5--Miscellaneous                                                                                        31

10.......... Unpublished operational information ................................................ 31

10A....... Who performs functions etc. given to agencies ................................. 31

10B....... Transitional--Norfolk Island authorities ........................................... 32

Part III--Access to documents                                                                                      33

11.......... Right of access .................................................................................. 33

11A....... Access to documents on request ....................................................... 33

11B....... Public interest exemptions--factors .................................................. 34

11C....... Publication of information in accessed documents ............................ 36

12.......... Part not to apply to certain documents ............................................... 37

13.......... Documents in certain institutions ...................................................... 38

15.......... Requests for access ........................................................................... 39

15AA.... Extension of time with agreement ..................................................... 42

15AB.... Extension of time for complex or voluminous requests .................... 42

15AC.... Decision not made on request within time--deemed refusal ............. 43

15A....... Request for access to personnel records ............................................ 44

16.......... Transfer of requests .......................................................................... 45

17.......... Requests involving use of computers etc. ......................................... 46

20.......... Forms of access ................................................................................ 47

21.......... Deferment of access .......................................................................... 48

22.......... Access to edited copies with exempt or irrelevant matter deleted ...... 49

23.......... Decisions to be made by authorised persons ..................................... 50

24.......... Power to refuse request--diversion of resources etc. ....................... 51

24AA.... When does a practical refusal reason exist? ..................................... 51

24AB.... What is a request consultation process? ........................................... 52

24A....... Requests may be refused if documents cannot be found, do not exist or have not been received              54

25.......... Information as to existence of certain documents .............................. 55

26.......... Reasons and other particulars of decisions to be given ..................... 56

26A....... Consultation--documents affecting Commonwealth-State relations etc.   57

26AA.... Consultation--documents affecting Norfolk Island intergovernmental relations       58

27.......... Consultation--business documents .................................................. 61

27A....... Consultation--documents affecting personal privacy ....................... 63

29.......... Charges ............................................................................................. 65

31.......... Decision to impose charge--extended period for processing request 68

Part IV--Exempt documents                                                                                         70

Division 1--Preliminary                                                                                             70

31A....... Access to exempt and conditionally exempt documents .................... 70

31B....... Exempt documents for the purposes of this Part ............................... 71

32.......... Interpretation [see Note 2] ................................................................. 71

Division 2--Exemptions                                                                                             72

33.......... Documents affecting national security, defence or international relations 72

34.......... Cabinet documents ............................................................................ 72

37.......... Documents affecting enforcement of law and protection of public safety 73

38.......... Documents to which secrecy provisions of enactments apply ........... 74

42.......... Documents subject to legal professional privilege ............................. 75

45.......... Documents containing material obtained in confidence ..................... 76

46.......... Documents disclosure of which would be contempt of Parliament or contempt of court          76

47.......... Documents disclosing trade secrets or commercially valuable information               76

47A....... Electoral rolls and related documents ................................................ 77

Division 3--Public interest conditional exemptions                                     79

47B....... Public interest conditional exemptions--Commonwealth-State relations etc.            79

47C....... Public interest conditional exemptions--deliberative
processes ........................................................................................... 80

47D....... Public interest conditional exemptions--financial or property interests of the Commonwealth or Norfolk Island    81

47E........ Public interest conditional exemptions--certain operations of agencies 81

47F........ Public interest conditional exemptions--personal privacy ................ 81

47G....... Public interest conditional exemptions--business ............................. 83

47H....... Public interest conditional exemptions--research ............................. 84

47J........ Public interest conditional exemptions--the economy ...................... 84

Part V--Amendment and annotation of personal records                         86

48.......... Application for amendment or annotation of personal records .......... 86

49.......... Requirements of an application for amendment ................................. 86

50.......... Amendment of records ...................................................................... 87

51.......... Annotations of records etc. following unsuccessful applications for amendments of records   88

51A....... Requirements of an application for annotation .................................. 88

51B....... Annotation of records ....................................................................... 89

51C....... Transfer of requests .......................................................................... 89

51D....... Notification etc. of a decision under this Part .................................... 91

51DA.... Decision not made on request for amendment or annotation within time--deemed refusal       92

51E........ Comments on annotations ................................................................. 93

Part VI--Internal review of decisions                                                                      94

52.......... Internal review of decisions--guide .................................................. 94

53.......... Interpretation ..................................................................................... 94

53A....... What is an access refusal decision? .................................................. 94

53B....... What is an access grant decision? [see Note 3] ................................ 95

53C....... Internal review--who is an affected third party? .............................. 97

54.......... Internal review--access refusal decision ........................................... 98

54A....... Internal review--access grant decision ............................................. 98

54B....... Internal review--application for review ............................................ 98

54C....... Internal review--decision on internal review .................................... 99

54D....... Internal review--deemed affirmation of original decision ............... 100

54E........ Internal review--decisions to which this Part does not apply ......... 101

Part VII--Review by Information Commissioner                                          102

Division 1--Guide to this Part                                                                              102

54F........ Review by the Information Commissioner--guide ......................... 102

Division 2--Key concepts                                                                                        104

54G....... Key concepts--what is an IC review? ............................................. 104

54H....... Key concepts--what is an IC review application? .......................... 104

54J........ Key concepts--who is an IC review applicant? .............................. 104

54K....... Key concepts--what is an IC reviewable decision? ........................ 104

Division 3--IC reviewable decisions                                                                 105

54L........ IC reviewable decisions--access refusal decisions ......................... 105

54M...... IC reviewable decisions--access grant decisions ............................ 105

Division 4--IC review applications                                                                    107

Subdivision A--Making an application                                                             107

54N....... IC review applications--application ................................................ 107

54P........ IC review applications--requirement to notify affected third parties 108

54Q....... IC review applications--circumstances in which not giving notice is appropriate     108

54R....... IC review applications--withdrawal ............................................... 109

Subdivision B--Time limits                                                                                  109

54S........ IC review applications--time limits ................................................ 109

54T........ IC review applications--extension of time ...................................... 110

Division 5--Decision to review                                                                             112

54U....... Decision to review--interpretation .................................................. 112

54V....... Decision to review--preliminary inquiries ...................................... 112

54W...... Decision to review--discretion not to review ................................. 112

54X....... Decision to review--notice requirement if discretion not to review exercised           113

54Y....... Decision to review--actual decisions made after IC review has commenced            113

Division 6--Procedure in IC review                                                                  115

54Z........ Procedure in IC review--general notice requirement ...................... 115

55.......... Procedure in IC review--general .................................................... 115

55A....... Procedure in IC review--parties to proceeding ............................... 117

55B....... Procedure in IC review--application for hearing ............................ 117

55C....... Procedure in IC review--representation ......................................... 118

55D....... Procedure in IC review--onus ........................................................ 118

55DA.... Decision-maker must assist Information Commissioner ................. 118

55E........ Procedure in IC review--inadequate reasons from decision maker 118

55F........ Procedure in IC review--review parties reach agreement ............... 119

55G....... Procedure in IC review--revocation or variation of access refusal decision             120

55H....... Procedure in IC review--reference of questions of law to Federal Court of Australia              121

55J........ Procedure in IC review--sending of documents to, and disclosure of documents by, the Federal Court of Australia ........................................................................................................ 121

Division 7--Decision on IC review                                                                     122

55K....... Decision on IC review--decision of Information Commissioner ... 122

55L........ Decision on IC review--no power to give access to exempt documents   123

55M...... Decision on IC review--limitation on amending records ................ 123

55N....... Decision on IC review--obligation to comply with decision .......... 124

55P........ Decision on IC review--enforcement of decision against agency ... 124

55Q....... Decision on IC review--correction of errors .................................. 125

Division 8--Information gathering powers                                                   126

55R....... Information gathering powers--obliging production of information and documents                126

55S........ Information gathering powers--dealings with documents .............. 127

55T........ Information gathering powers--production of exempt documents generally            127

55U....... Information gathering powers--production of national security and cabinet documents           128

55V....... Information gathering powers--further searches for a document ... 129

55W...... Information gathering powers--obliging persons to appear ........... 129

55X....... Information gathering powers--administration of oath or affirmation 130

55Y....... Information gathering powers--no loss of legal professional privilege 131

55Z........ Information gathering powers--protection from liability ................ 131

Division 9--Evidence by Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security             132

55ZA..... Evidence by Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security--scope 132

55ZB..... Evidence by Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security--request to give evidence            132

55ZC..... Evidence by Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security--compliance with request            133

55ZD..... Evidence by Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security--procedural matters     134

Division 10--Appeals                                                                                                 136

56.......... Appeals--appeals to Federal Court of Australia on questions of law 136

56A....... Appeals--Federal Court of Australia may make findings of fact .... 137

Part VIIA--Review by the Tribunal                                                                      139

Division 1--Guide to this Part                                                                              139

57.......... Review by the Tribunal--guide ...................................................... 139

Division 2--Tribunal reviewable decisions                                                    140

57A....... Tribunal reviewable decisions--which decisions are reviewable? .. 140

Division 3--Powers of Tribunal                                                                           141

58.......... Powers of Tribunal ......................................................................... 141

58A....... Powers of Tribunal--requiring further searches ............................. 141

58AA.... Powers of Tribunal--limitation on amending records ..................... 141

Division 4--Procedure in Tribunal                                                                    143

58B....... Constitution of Tribunal for proceedings about certain exempt documents               143

58D....... Modification of section 42 of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975           144

58E........ Production to the Tribunal of certain exempt documents ................. 144

60.......... Procedure in Tribunal--parties ....................................................... 145

60AA.... Procedure in Tribunal--requirement to notify affected third parties 146

60AB.... Procedure in Tribunal--circumstances in which not giving notice is appropriate      146

60A....... Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security must be requested to give evidence in certain proceedings               147

61.......... Onus ............................................................................................... 150

61A....... Modification of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act
1975 ................................................................................................ 150

62.......... Application of section 28 of Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act etc. 152

Division 5--Protection of information in Tribunal                                    153

63.......... Tribunal to ensure non-disclosure of certain matters ....................... 153

64.......... Production of exempt documents .................................................... 154

Division 6--Recommendations as to costs                                                     157

66.......... Tribunal may make recommendation that costs be available in certain circumstances                157

Division 7--Automatic stay of certain decisions                                         158

67.......... Automatic stay of certain decisions on appeal ................................. 158

Part VIIB--Investigations and complaints                                                          160

Division 1--Guide to this Part                                                                              160

68.......... Investigations and complaints--guide ............................................. 160

Division 2--Information Commissioner investigations                           162

Subdivision A--Power to investigate                                                                 162

69.......... Information Commissioner investigations--power to investigate ... 162

Subdivision B--Making complaints                                                                   162

70.......... Information Commissioner investigations--making complaints ..... 162

Subdivision C--Decision to investigate                                                             163

71.......... Information Commissioner investigations--interpretation .............. 163

72.......... Information Commissioner investigations--preliminary inquiries .. 163

73.......... Information Commissioner investigations--discretion not to investigate 163

74.......... Information Commissioner investigations--transfer to Ombudsman 164

75.......... Information Commissioner investigations--notice requirements .... 165

Subdivision D--Investigation procedure                                                          166

76.......... Information Commissioner investigations--conduct of investigation 166

77.......... Information Commissioner investigations--general power to enter premises           166

78.......... Information Commissioner investigations--places for which approval required before entry 167

79.......... Information Commissioner investigations--obliging production of information and documents              168

80.......... Information Commissioner investigations--dealings with documents 169

81.......... Information Commissioner investigations--exempt documents ..... 170

82.......... Information Commissioner investigations--obliging persons to appear   170

83.......... Information Commissioner investigations--administration of oath or affirmation    171

84.......... Information Commissioner investigations--no loss of legal professional privilege 171

85.......... Information Commissioner investigations--protection from liability 171

Subdivision E--Outcome of investigation                                                        172

86.......... Information Commissioner investigations--notice on completion .. 172

87.......... Information Commissioner investigations--what are the investigation results?        173

88.......... Information Commissioner investigations--what are the investigation recommendations?      173

89.......... Information Commissioner investigations--failure to implement investigation recommendation              173

89A....... Information Commissioner investigations--failure to take action in response to implementation notice   174

89B....... Information Commissioner investigations--requirements for report 175

89C....... Information Commissioner investigations--ensuring non-disclosure of certain matters           175

89D....... Information Commissioner investigations--limitation on amending records            176

89E........ Information Commissioner investigations--protection from civil action   177

Division 3--Complaints to Ombudsman                                                          178

89F........ Complaints to Ombudsman--powers not affected .......................... 178

89G....... Complaints to Ombudsman--report must not contain certain information                178

89H....... Complaints to Ombudsman--certain rights not affected by certificates 178

89J........ Complaints to Ombudsman--limitation on amending records in reports under the Ombudsman Act 1976              179

Part VIII--Miscellaneous                                                                                               180

Division 1--Vexatious applicants                                                                        180

89K....... Vexatious applicants--declaration .................................................. 180

89L........ Vexatious applicants--grounds for declaration ............................... 180

89M...... Vexatious applicants--effect of declaration .................................... 181

89N....... Vexatious applicants--review by Tribunal ..................................... 182

Division 2--General                                                                                                   183

89P........ Staff to hold appropriate security clearance ..................................... 183

90.......... Protection against civil liability--general ........................................ 183

91.......... Protection against civil liability--particular situations ..................... 184

92.......... Protection against criminal liability .................................................. 186

93.......... Agencies to provide information to Information Commissioner ..... 186

93A....... Guidelines ....................................................................................... 187

93B....... Review of operation of Act ............................................................. 187

94.......... Regulations ..................................................................................... 188

Schedule 1--Courts and tribunals exempt in respect of non-administrative matters       190

Schedule 2                                                                                                                                191

Part I--Exempt agencies                                                                                                191

Division 1                                                                                                                          191

Division 2                                                                                                                          191

Part II--Agencies exempt in respect of particular documents                192

Division 1                                                                                                                          192

Division 2                                                                                                                          194

Part III--Legislation relating to agencies exempt in respect of documents in relation to their commercial activities                                                                                                                  195

Schedule 3--Secrecy provisions                                                                                 196

Schedule 4--Research institutions                                                                            198

Notes                                                                                                                                            199

  

Notes to the Freedom of Information Act 1982

Note 1

The Freedom of Information Act 1982 as shown in this compilation comprises Act No. 3, 1982 amended as indicated in the Tables below.

The Freedom of Information Act 1982 was amended by the Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2006 (No. 1) (SLI 2006 No. 50). The amendment is incorporated in this compilation.

For application, saving or transitional provisions made by Schedule 7 of the Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Act 2010, see Act No. 51, 2010.

All relevant information pertaining to application, saving or transitional provisions prior to 15 July 2003 is not included in this compilation. For subsequent information see Table A.

The Freedom of Information Act 1982 was modified by the A.C.T. Self-Government (Consequential Provisions) Regulations (SR 1989 No. 3 as amended) see Table B.

Table of Acts

Act	Number and year	Date of Assent	Date of commencement	Application, saving or transitional provisions
Freedom of Information Act 1982	3, 1982	9 Mar 1982	1 Dec 1982 (see Gazette 1982, No. G48, p. 2)
Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1983	7, 1983	1 June 1983	Ss. 1, 2, 15(1) and 24: Royal Assent Remainder: 1 July 1983 (see s. 2(2) and Gazette 1983, No. S124)	--
Freedom of Information Amendment Act 1983	81, 1983	3 Nov 1983	1 Jan 1984 (see Gazette 1983, No. S344)	S. 46
Public Service Reform Act 1984	63, 1984	25 June 1984	S. 151(1): 1 July 1984 (see Gazette 1984, No. S245) S. 154: 1 Jan 1986 (see Gazette 1985, No. S563)	S. 151(9)
Australian Trade Commission (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1985	187, 1985	16 Dec 1985	Ss. 1-4, 12, 19, 32 and 61: Royal Assent S. 34: 20 May 1985 Remainder: 6 Jan 1986 (see Gazette 1985, No. S551)	--
Intelligence and Security (Consequential Amendments) Act 1986	102, 1986	17 Oct 1986	1 Feb 1987 (see s. 2 and Gazette 1987, No. S13)	--
Freedom of Information Laws Amendment Act 1986	111, 1986	4 Nov 1986	18 Nov 1986	S. 20
Australian Airlines (Conversion to Public Company) Act 1988	6, 1988	9 Mar 1988	S. 69(2): 30 Apr 1988 (see Gazette 1988, No. S117)	--
Industrial Relations (Consequential Provisions) Act 1988	87, 1988	8 Nov 1988	Ss. 1 and 2: Royal Assent Remainder: 1 Mar 1989 (see s. 2(2) and Gazette 1989, No. S53)	--
A.C.T. Self-Government (Consequential Provisions) Act 1988	109, 1988	6 Dec 1988	S. 32 (in part): 11 May 1989 (see Gazette 1989, No. S164)	--
Privacy Act 1988	119, 1988	14 Dec 1988	1 Jan 1989 (see Gazette 1988, No. S399)	S. 101(2)
Telecommunications Amendment Act 1988	121, 1988	14 Dec 1988	Ss. 5, 6, 10, 12, 13, 23(2) and 26(1): 1 Jan 1989 (see Gazette 1988, No. S402) Ss. 14, 23(3) and 26(2): 30 June 1989 (see Gazette 1989, No. S216) Remainder: 14 Dec 1988	--
Postal Services Amendment Act 1988	126, 1988	14 Dec 1988	Ss. 4, 5, 9-11, 21(2) and 22(1): 1 Jan 1989 (see Gazette 1988, No. S402) Ss. 12, 21(3) and 22(2): 30 June 1989 (see Gazette 1989, No. S216) Remainder: Royal Assent	--
ANL (Conversion into Public Company) Act 1988	127, 1988	14 Dec 1988	S. 11: 1 July 1989 (see Gazette 1989, No. S210)	--
OTC (Conversion into Public Company) Act 1988	129, 1988	14 Dec 1988	Ss. 7(2), 8(2), 9, 11-22 and 25: 1 Apr 1989 (see Gazette 1989, No. S92) S. 8(1): 16 Mar 1989 (see Gazette 1989, No. S92) S. 8(3): 1 Apr 1989 Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation (Conversion into Public Company) Act 1989	66, 1989	19 June 1989	Ss. 4, 6(1), 7(1), 8-10, 12, 14(2), 15 and 16: 1 July 1989 (see Gazette 1989, No. S223) S. 7(2): 1 July 1989 (see Gazette 1989, No. S223) S. 14(1): 30 June 1989 Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989	150, 1989	27 Nov 1989	5 Mar 1990 (see Gazette 1990, No. S48)	--
Federal Airports Corporation Amendment Act 1990	26, 1990	24 May 1990	Ss. 1-3: Royal Assent S. 23(1)(a): 1 July 1990 S. 23(1)(b): 1 July 1991 S. 23(1)(c) and (2): 13 June 1986 Remainder: 1 July 1990 (see s. 2(6) and Gazette 1990, No. S154)	--
Defence Legislation Amendment Act 1990	75, 1990	22 Oct 1990	S. 5: Royal Assent	--
Commonwealth Serum Laboratories (Conversion into Public Company) Act 1990	77, 1990	22 Oct 1990	S. 17: 1 Apr 1991 (see Gazette 1991, No. S75)	--
Commonwealth Banks Restructuring Act 1990	118, 1990	28 Dec 1990	S. 62: (a)	--
Telecommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1991	99, 1991	27 June 1991	Part 5 (s. 26): 1 Feb 1992 (see s. 2(3) and Gazette 1992, No. S32)	--
Freedom of Information Amendment Act 1991	137, 1991	27 Sept 1991	25 Oct 1991	S. 29(2)
Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1991	149, 1991	21 Oct 1991	1 Nov 1991	--
Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991	180, 1991	25 Nov 1991	S. 116: 23 Dec 1991	--
Sales Tax Amendment (Transitional) Act 1992	118, 1992	30 Sept 1992	28 Oct 1992	--
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act (No. 4) 1992	143, 1992	7 Dec 1992	S. 3: Royal Assent	--
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act (No. 3) 1992	165, 1992	11 Dec 1992	S. 4: Royal Assent	--
Qantas Sale Act 1992	196, 1992	21 Dec 1992	Schedule (Part 1): 10 Mar 1993 (see Gazette 1993, No. GN17) Schedule (Part 5): 30 Aug 1995 (see Gazette 1995, No. S324)	S. 2(6) (am. by 60, 1993, s. 4; 168, 1994, s. 3)
as amended by
Qantas Sale Amendment Act 1993	60, 1993	3 Nov 1993	10 Mar 1993	--
Qantas Sale Amendment Act 1994	168, 1994	16 Dec 1994	Schedule (item 17): Royal Assent	--
Electoral and Referendum Amendment Act 1992	219, 1992	24 Dec 1992	Part 4 (ss. 35, 36): Royal Assent	--
Prime Minister and Cabinet (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1994	33, 1994	15 Mar 1994	Ss. 11-13: Royal Assent	S. 13
Transport and Communications Legislation Amendment Act 1994	64, 1994	30 May 1994	S. 3(3): Royal Assent	--
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 1994	84, 1994	23 June 1994	Ss. 48-70 and 72-85: Royal Assent	Ss. 49, 52, 53, 56, 59, 60, 66, 67, 72, 74, 75, 78, 79, 81, 82 and 84
Employment Services (Consequential Amendments) Act 1994	177, 1994	19 Dec 1994	Ss. 2(2) and 32-39: Royal Assent Ss. 9-31: 1 Jan 1995 (see s. 2(1) and Gazette 1994, No. S472) Remainder: 19 Dec 1994 (see s. 2(3))	S. 9
Taxation Laws Amendment Act (No. 4) 1994	181, 1994	19 Dec 1994	Schedule 1 (items 22-85): 13 Oct 1994 Remainder: Royal Assent	Sch. 5 (item 1)
Commonwealth Bank Sale Act 1995	161, 1995	16 Dec 1995	Schedule (item 52): (b)	--
Transport Legislation Amendment Act (No. 3) 1995	174, 1995	16 Dec 1995	S. 4 and Schedule 2: 1 July 1995 Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Statute Law Revision Act 1996	43, 1996	25 Oct 1996	Schedule 5 (items 62-64): Royal Assent	--
AIDC Sale Act 1997	67, 1997	5 June 1997	Schedule 2 (item 5): 22 Apr 2011 (see s. 2(2) and F2011L00637)	--
Australian National Railways Commission Sale Act 1997	96, 1997	30 June 1997	Schedule 4 (item 3): 1 Nov 2000 (see Gazette 2000, No. S562)	--
Aged Care (Consequential Provisions) Act 1997	114, 1997	7 July 1997	Schedule 5 (item 3): (c)	--
Judiciary Amendment Act 1999	7, 1999	31 Mar 1999	Schedules 1-3: 1 Sept 1999 (see Gazette 1999, No. S395) Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Statute Stocktake Act 1999	118, 1999	22 Sept 1999	22 Sept 1999	--
Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999	146, 1999	11 Nov 1999	Schedule 1 (item 493): 5 Dec 1999 (see Gazette 1999, No. S584)	--
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Legislation Amendment Act 1999	161, 1999	10 Dec 1999	Schedule 3 (items 1, 26-28): (d)	--
A New Tax System (Indirect Tax and Consequential Amendments) Act 1999	176, 1999	22 Dec 1999	Schedule 8 (item 15): (e)	--
Federal Magistrates (Consequential Amendments) Act 1999	194, 1999	23 Dec 1999	Schedule 15: 23 Dec 1999 (see s. 2(1))	--
Ministers of State and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2000	1, 2000	29 Feb 2000	Schedule 4: 10 Mar 2000 (see Gazette 2000, No. S112)	--
Broadcasting Services Amendment (Digital Television and Datacasting) Act 2000	108, 2000	3 Aug 2000	Schedule 3 (item 2): 1 Jan 2001 (see Gazette 2000, No. GN50)	--
Horticulture Marketing and Research and Development Services (Repeals and Consequential Provisions) Act 2000	163, 2000	21 Dec 2000	Schedule 2 (items 1, 2): (f)	--
Gene Technology (Consequential Amendments) Act 2000	170, 2000	21 Dec 2000	22 June 2001 (see s. 2)	--
Pig Industry Act 2001	30, 2001	28 Apr 2001	Schedule 1 (item 1): (g)	--
Intelligence Services (Consequential Provisions) Act 2001	153, 2001	1 Oct 2001	29 Oct 2001 (see  s. 2)	--
Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment Act 2002	127, 2002	11 Dec 2002	Schedule 2 (item 18): Royal Assent	--
Transport Safety Investigation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2003	19, 2003	11 Apr 2003	Schedule 1 (items 6, 6A, 7): (h)	--
Inspector-General of Taxation Act 2003	28, 2003	15 Apr 2003	16 Apr 2003	--
Migration Legislation Amendment (Protected Information) Act 2003	75, 2003	15 July 2003	Schedule 1 (items 5A-5D, 6A, 8) and Schedule 2: 16 July 2003 Remainder: Royal Assent	Sch. 2 (item 4) [see Table A]
Communications Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2003	114, 2003	27 Nov 2003	Schedule 2: 27 Mar 2003 Remainder: 28 Nov 2003	--
Defence Legislation Amendment Act 2003	135, 2003	17 Dec 2003	Schedule 2 (items 30-32): 17 June 2004	--
Designs (Consequential Amendments) Act 2003	148, 2003	17 Dec 2003	Schedules 1 and 2: (i) Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2004	62, 2004	26 May 2004	Schedule 1 (items 23-37): 27 May 2004	--
Administrative Appeals Tribunal Amendment Act 2005	38, 2005	1 Apr 2005	Schedule 1 (items 210-217): 16 May 2005	Sch. 1 (item 212) [see Table A]
Australian Communications and Media Authority (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2005	45, 2005	1 Apr 2005	Schedule 1 (item 65): 1 July 2005 (see s. 2(1))	--
Human Services Legislation Amendment Act 2005	111, 2005	6 Sept 2005	Schedule 2 (items 90, 91, 729): 1 Oct 2005	Sch. 2 (item 729) [see Table A]
Telstra (Transition to Full Private Ownership) Act 2005	118, 2005	23 Sept 2005	Schedule 1 (item 47): 24 Nov 2006 (see s. 3(1) and F2006L03997)	--
Intelligence Services Legislation Amendment Act 2005	128, 2005	4 Nov 2005	Schedules 1-8: 2 Dec 2005 Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (Serious Drug Offences and Other Measures) Act 2005	129, 2005	8 Nov 2005	Schedule 9 (items 1, 2): Royal Assent Schedule 9 (items 3, 4): 9 Nov 2005	Sch. 9 (item 2) [see Table A]
Telecommunications (Interception) Amendment Act 2006	40, 2006	3 May 2006	Schedule 1 (item 20): 13 June 2006 (see F2006L01623)	--
National Health and Medical Research Council Amendment Act 2006	50, 2006	9 June 2006	Schedule 1: 1 July 2006 Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Fuel Tax (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2006	73, 2006	26 June 2006	Schedule 5 (item 153): 1 July 2006 (see s. 2(1))	--
Tax Laws Amendment (Repeal of Inoperative Provisions) Act 2006	101, 2006	14 Sept 2006	Schedule 5 (items 113-118) and Schedule 6 (items 5-11): Royal Assent	Sch. 6 (items  5-11) [see Table A]
Inspector of Transport Security (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006	150, 2006	7 Dec 2006	Schedule 1: 7 June 2007 (see s. 2(1)) Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2006	170, 2006	12 Dec 2006	Schedule 1 (item 148): 13 Dec 2006 (see s. 2(1))	--
Statute Law Revision Act 2007	8, 2007	15 Mar 2007	Schedule 3 (items 23, 24): Royal Assent	--
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment Act 2007	27, 2007	15 Mar 2007	Schedule 1 (items 14, 15, 22): 1 July 2007 (see F2007L01781)	Sch. 1 (item 22) [see Table A]
Private Health Insurance (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2007	32, 2007	30 Mar 2007	Schedule 2 (item 12): 1 Apr 2007 (see s. 2(1))	--
Tax Laws Amendment (2007 Measures No. 1) Act 2007	56, 2007	12 Apr 2007	12 Apr 2007	Sch. 1 (item 5) [see Table A]
Communications Legislation Amendment (Content Services) Act 2007	124, 2007	20 July 2007	Schedule 1 (items 89-94): 20 Jan 2008	--
Quarantine Amendment (Commission of Inquiry) Act 2007	158, 2007	24 Sept 2007	24 Sept 2007	--
Wheat Export Marketing (Repeal and Consequential Amendments) Act 2008	66, 2008	30 June 2008	Schedule 2 (item 11): 1 July 2008 (see s. 2(1))	--
Archives Amendment Act 2008	113, 2008	31 Oct 2008	1 Nov 2008	--
Freedom of Information (Removal of Conclusive Certificates and Other Measures) Act 2009	99, 2009	6 Oct 2009	Schedule 1: 7 Oct 2009	Sch. 1 (items 34, 35) [see Table A]
Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Legislation Amendment Act 2009	102, 2009	8 Oct 2009	Schedule 1 (items 62J-62L): 9 Oct 2009	--
Statute Law Revision Act 2010	8, 2010	1 Mar 2010	Schedule 5 (items 58, 59): Royal Assent Schedule 5 (item 137(a), (c)): (j)	--
Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Act 2010	51, 2010	31 May 2010	Schedule 1, Schedule 3 (items 7-14, 16-34, 39), Schedule 4 (items 1-57, 65), Schedule 6 (items 1-41) and Schedule 7: (k) Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 (item 15): 1 May 2011	Sch. 2 (item 4), Sch. 3 (item 39), Sch. 4 (item 65) and Sch. 6 (items 40, 41) [see Table A] Sch. 7 [see Note 1]
Territories Law Reform Act 2010	139, 2010	10 Dec 2010	Schedule 1 (item 66): 11 Dec 2010 Schedule 1 (items 155-175, 183-239): 1 Jan 2011 Schedule 1 (items 176-182): (l)	--
Tax Laws Amendment (Confidentiality of Taxpayer Information) Act 2010	145, 2010	16 Dec 2010	Schedule 2 (items 22-28, 123(3)): 17 Dec 2010	Sch. 2 (item 123(3)) [see Table A]
Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Act 2010	148, 2010	17 Dec 2010	Schedule 4 (item 12): 18 Dec 2010	--
Screen Australia (Transfer of Assets) Act 2011	20, 2011	12 Apr 2011	Schedule 1 (items 1, 2): 1 July 2011	--
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network Measures--Access Arrangements) Act 2011	23, 2011	12 Apr 2011	Schedule 1 (items 115-122): 11 June 2011	--
Human Services Legislation Amendment Act 2011	32, 2011	25 May 2011	Schedule 4 (items 108-113): 1 July 2011	Sch. 4 (item 113) [see Table A]
Acts Interpretation Amendment Act 2011	46, 2011	27 June 2011	Schedule 2 (item 635) and Schedule 3 (items 10, 11): 27 Dec 2011	Sch. 3 (items 10, 11) [see Table A]
Parliamentary Service Amendment (Parliamentary Budget Officer) Act 2011	170, 2011	4 Dec 2011	Schedule 3 (items 1-3): 15 Feb 2012 (see F2012L00277)	--

(a)     The Freedom of Information Act 1982 was amended by section 62 only of the Commonwealth Banks Restructuring Act 1990, subsection 2(3) of which provides as follows:

                 (3)   Each of the remaining provisions of this Act commences on a day, or at a time, fixed by Proclamation in relation to the provision concerned.

         In pursuance of section 62 (in so far as it relates to the Freedom of Information Act 1982), the date fixed for commencement was immediately after 17 April 1991 (see Gazette 1991, No. S72).

(b)     The Freedom of Information Act 1982 was amended by the Schedule (item 52) only of the Commonwealth Bank Sale Act 1995, subsection 2(2) of which provides as follows:

                 (2)   Part 3, and all the items of the Schedule (except items 1, 12, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 31, 37 and 48), commence at the transfer time.

         The transfer time occurred on 19 July 1996.

(c)     The Freedom of Information Act 1982 was amended by Schedule 5 (item 3) only of the Aged Care (Consequential Provisions) Act 1997, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   Subject to this section, this Act commences immediately after the commencement of the Aged Care Act 1997 (other than Division 1 of that Act).

         The Aged Care Act 1997 (other than Division 1) commenced on 1 October 1997.

(d)     The Freedom of Information Act 1982 was amended by Schedule 3 (items 1, 26-28) only of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Legislation Amendment Act 1999, subsections 2(1) and (2) of which provide as follows:

                 (1)   This Act (other than Schedule 3) commences on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

                 (2)   Subject to subsections (3) to (6), Schedule 3 commences immediately after the commencement of the other Schedules to this Act.

(e)     The Freedom of Information Act 1982 was amended by Schedule 8 (item 15) only of the A New Tax System (Indirect Tax and Consequential Amendments) Act 1999, subsection 2(17) of which provides as follows:

               (17)   Schedule 8 commences immediately after the commencement of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999.

         The A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 came into operation on 1 July 2000.

(f)      The Freedom of Information Act 1982 was amended by Schedule 2 (items 1 and 2) only of the Horticulture Marketing and Research and Development Services (Repeals and Consequential Provisions) Act 2000, subsection 2(2) of which provides as follows:

                 (2)   Schedules 1 (repeals) and 2 (consequential amendments) commence on the transfer day, immediately after the transfer of assets, liabilities and staff under Part 2.

Note:          See sections 12 and 13 for the transfer day, and the time at which the transfer occurs.

The transfer day was 1 February 2001 (see Gazette 2001, No. GN6).

(g)     The Freedom of Information Act 1982 was amended by Schedule 1 (item 1) only of the Pig Industry Act 2001, subsection 2(2) of which provides as follows:

                 (2)   Schedule 1 (other than item 3) commences immediately after the transfer time.

Note:          Transfer time is defined in section 7.

         The transfer time was the beginning of 1 July 2001 (see Gazette 2001, No. S269).

(h)     Subsection 2(1) (item 2) of the Transport Safety Investigation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2003 provides as follows:

                 (1)   Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, on the day or at the time specified in column 2 of the table.

Commencement information
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3
Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
2.  Schedule 1	Immediately after the commencement of section 3 of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003	1 July 2003 (see Gazette 2003, No. S229)

(i)      Subsection 2(1) (item 2) of the Designs (Consequential Amendments) Act 2003 provides as follows:

                 (1)   Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, on the day or at the time specified in column 2 of the table.

Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
2.  Schedules 1 and 2	Immediately after the commencement of section 4 of the Designs Act 2003.	17 June 2004

(j)      Subsection 2(1) (items 31 and 38) of the Statute Law Revision Act 2010 provides as follows:

                 (1)   Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
31.  Schedule 5, items 1 to 51	The day this Act receives the Royal Assent.	1 March 2010
38.  Schedule 5, Parts 2 and 3	Immediately after the provision(s) covered by table item 31.	1 March 2010

(k)     Subsection 2(1) (items 2, 4, 6 and 7) of the Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Act 2010 provides as follows:

                 (1)   Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
2.  Schedule 1	Immediately after the commencement of section 3 of the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010. However, if section 3 of the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010 does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.	1 November 2010
4.  Schedule 3, items 1 to 14	Immediately after the commencement of section 3 of the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010. However, if section 3 of the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010 does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.	1 November 2010
6.  Schedule 3, items 16 to 40	Immediately after the commencement of section 3 of the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010. However, if section 3 of the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010 does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.	1 November 2010
7.  Schedules 4 to 7	Immediately after the commencement of section 3 of the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010. However, if section 3 of the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010 does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.	1 November 2010

(l)      Subsection 2(1) (item 7) of the Territories Law Reform Act 2010 provides as follows:

                 (1)   Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
7.  Schedule 1, items 176 to 182	Immediately after the commencement of item 3 of Schedule 2 to the Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Act 2010.	1 May 2011

Table of Amendments

ad. = added or inserted     am. = amended     rep. = repealed     rs. = repealed and substituted
Provision affected	How affected
Part I
S. 3......................................	am. No. 137, 1991
	rs. No. 51, 2010
	am. No. 139, 2010
S. 3A...................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 4......................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 63, 1984; No. 111, 1986; No. 109, 1988; No. 137, 1991; No. 196, 1992; Nos. 33, 84 and 177, 1994; No. 43, 1996; No. 1, 2000; Nos. 114 and 135, 2003; No. 62, 2004; No. 128, 2005; Nos. 124 and 158, 2007; No. 113, 2008; Nos. 99 and 102, 2009; Nos. 8, 51 and 139, 2010; Nos. 23, 32 and 170, 2011
S. 4A...................................	ad. No. 109, 1988
S. 4B...................................	ad. No. 139, 2010
S. 5......................................	am. No. 43, 1996; No. 139, 2010
S. 6......................................	am. No. 43, 1996
S. 6A...................................	ad. No. 63, 1984
	am. No. 43, 1996
S. 6B...................................	ad. No. 177, 1994
	rep. No. 51, 2010
S. 6C...................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 7......................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 102, 1986; No. 75, 1990; No. 137, 1991; No. 165, 1992; No. 84, 1994; No. 161, 1999; No. 128, 2005; No. 99, 2009; No. 51, 2010; No. 23, 2011
Part II
Part II..................................	rs. No. 51, 2010
Division 1
S. 7A...................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Division 2
S. 8......................................	am. No. 111, 1986; No. 84, 1994
	rs. No. 51, 2010
	am. No. 139, 2010
Ss. 8A, 8B...........................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 8C...................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
	am. No. 139, 2010
Ss. 8D, 8E...........................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Division 3
S. 8F...................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 9......................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 111, 1986; No. 137, 1991; No. 43, 1996
	rs. No. 51, 2010
Division 4
S. 9A...................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Division 5
S. 10....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 137, 1991; No. 43, 1996
	rs. No. 51, 2010
S. 10A.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 10B.................................	ad. No. 139, 2010
Part III
S. 11....................................	am. No. 137, 1991
S. 11A.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 11B.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
	am. No. 139, 2010
S. 11C.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 12....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 137, 1991; No. 165, 1992; No. 43, 1996; No. 99, 2009; Nos. 51 and 139, 2010
S. 13....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 158, 2007; No. 113, 2008; No. 102, 2009; No. 51, 2010; No. 20, 2011
S. 14....................................	rep. No. 51, 2010
Subheads. to s. 15(1), (2).	ad. No. 51, 2010
Subhead. to s. 15(3)..........	ad. No. 51, 2010
Subhead. to s. 15(5)..........	ad. No. 51, 2010
Subhead. to s. 15(6)..........	ad. No. 51, 2010
	am. No. 139, 2010
S. 15....................................	am. No. 111, 1986; No. 137, 1991; Nos. 51 and 139, 2010
Note to s. 15(3)..................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Ss. 15AA-15AC..................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 15A.................................	ad. No. 137, 1991
S. 16....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 137, 1991; No. 165, 1992; No. 128, 2005
S. 17....................................	am. No. 111, 1986; No. 137, 1991; No. 51, 2010
S. 18....................................	am. No. 111, 1986
	rep. No. 51, 2010
S. 19....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 111, 1986; No. 119, 1988
	rep. No. 137, 1991
S. 20....................................	am. No. 43, 1996; No. 139, 2010
S. 21....................................	am. Nos. 51 and 139, 2010
S. 22....................................	am. No. 137, 1991; No. 43, 1996
	rs. No. 51, 2010
S. 23....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 43, 1996
S. 24....................................	rs. No. 137, 1991; No. 51, 2010
Ss. 24AA, 24AB..................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 24A.................................	ad. No. 137, 1991
	rs. No. 51, 2010
S. 25....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 51, 2010
S. 26....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 43, 1996; No. 51, 2010
Heading to s. 26A..............	am. No. 139, 2010
S. 26A.................................	ad. No. 81, 1983
	am. No. 137, 1991
	rs. No. 51, 2010
	am. No. 139, 2010
S. 26AA...............................	ad. No. 139, 2010
S. 27....................................	am. No. 137, 1991
	rs. No. 51, 2010
S. 27A.................................	ad. No. 119, 1988
	am. No. 137, 1991; No. 84, 1994
	rs. No. 51, 2010
S. 28....................................	am. No. 43, 1996
	rep. No. 51, 2010
S. 29....................................	am. No. 111, 1986
	rs. No. 137, 1991
	am. No. 84, 1994; No. 51, 2010
S. 30....................................	am. No. 111, 1986
	rep. No. 137, 1991
S. 30A.................................	ad. No. 111, 1986
	am. No. 137, 1991; No. 84, 1994
	rep. No. 51, 2010
S. 31....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 137, 1991; No. 43, 1996
	rs. No. 51, 2010
Part IV
Division 1
Heading to Div. 1 of.......... Part IV	ad. No. 51, 2010
Ss. 31A, 31B.......................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Division 2
Heading to Div. 2 of.......... Part IV	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 33....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 137, 1991; No. 43, 1996; No. 99, 2009
Note to s. 33.......................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 33A.................................	ad. No. 81, 1983
	am. No. 137, 1991; No. 43, 1996; No. 99, 2009
	rep. No. 51, 2010
S. 34....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 137, 1991; No. 99, 2009
	rs. No. 51, 2010
S. 35....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 137, 1991; No. 99, 2009
	rep. No. 51, 2010
S. 36....................................	am. No. 43, 1996; No. 99, 2009
	rep. No. 51, 2010
S. 36A.................................	ad. No. 137, 1991
	rep. No. 99, 2009
S. 37....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 137, 1991; No. 84, 1994
S. 38....................................	am. No. 119, 1988; No. 137, 1991; No. 75, 2003; No. 139, 2010
Ss. 39, 40............................	rs. No. 81, 1983
	rep. No. 51, 2010
S. 41....................................	am. No. 137, 1991
	rep. No. 51, 2010
S. 42....................................	am. No. 51, 2010
S. 43....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 137, 1991; No. 43, 1996
	rep. No. 51, 2010
S. 43A.................................	ad. No. 137, 1991
	rep. No. 51, 2010
S. 44....................................	rep. No. 51, 2010
S. 45....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 111, 1986; No. 137, 1991; No. 43, 1996; No. 62, 2004; Nos. 51 and 139, 2010
S. 47....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 143, 1992
	rs. No. 51, 2010
	am. No. 139, 2010
S. 47A.................................	ad. No. 219, 1992
	am. No. 139, 2010
Division 3
Div. 3 of Part IV..................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Heading to s. 47B..............	am. No. 139, 2010
Ss. 47B, 47C.......................	ad. No. 51, 2010
	am. No. 139, 2010
Heading to s. 47D.............	am. No. 139, 2010
Ss. 47D, 47E.......................	ad. No. 51, 2010
	am. No. 139, 2010
S. 47F.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 47G.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
	am. No. 139, 2010
S. 47H.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 47J..................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
	am. No. 139, 2010
Note to s. 47J(1)................	am. No. 46, 2011
Part V
Part V..................................	rs. No. 137, 1991
S. 48....................................	am. No. 119, 1988
	rs. No. 137, 1991
S. 49....................................	am. No. 81, 1983
	rs. No. 137, 1991
S. 50....................................	rs. No. 137, 1991
S. 51....................................	am. No. 81, 1983
	rs. No. 137, 1991
Ss. 51A, 51B.......................	ad. No. 137, 1991
S. 51C.................................	ad. No. 137, 1991
	am. No. 165, 1992; No. 128, 2005
S. 51D.................................	ad. No. 137, 1991
S. 51DA...............................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 51E.................................	ad. No. 137, 1991
Part VA................................	ad. No. 81, 1983
	rep. No. 137, 1991
Part VI
Heading to Part VI.............	rs. No. 51, 2010
S. 52....................................	rep. No. 137, 1991
	ad. No. 51, 2010
Ss. 52A-52F.......................	ad. No. 81, 1983
	rep. No. 137, 1991
S. 53....................................	am. No. 81, 1983
	rs. No. 99, 2009
	am. No. 51, 2010
S. 53A.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 53B.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
	am. No. 139, 2010
Note to s. 53B....................	am. No. 139, 2010
S. 53C.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
	am. No. 139, 2010
S. 54....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 111, 1986; No. 137, 1991; No. 84, 1994
	rs. No. 51, 2010
Ss. 54A-54E.......................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Part VII
Part VII................................	rep. No. 81, 1983
	ad. No. 51, 2010
Division 1
S. 54F.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Division 2
Ss. 54G, 54H......................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Ss. 54J, 54K.......................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Division 3
Ss. 54L, 54M.......................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Division 4
Subdivision A
S. 54N.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 54P.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
	am. No. 139, 2010
Ss. 54Q, 54R......................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Subdivision B
S. 54S.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
	am. No. 139, 2010
S. 54T.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Division 5
Ss. 54U-54Y.......................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Note to s. 54Y(2)................	am. No. 139, 2010
Division 6
S. 54Z.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 55....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 111, 1986; No. 137, 1991; No. 84, 1994; No. 43, 1996
	rs. No. 51, 2010
Ss. 55A-55D.......................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 55DA...............................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Ss. 55E-55G......................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Note to s. 55G(1)...............	am. No. 139, 2010
S. 55H.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 55J..................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Division 7
Ss. 55K, 55L.......................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 55M.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
	am. No. 139, 2010
S. 55N.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Ss. 55P, 55Q......................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Division 8
Ss. 55R-55Z.......................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Division 9
Ss. 55ZA-55ZD..................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Division 10
S. 56....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 137, 1991; No. 143, 1992; No. 43, 1996
	rs. No. 51, 2010
S. 56A.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Part VIIA
Heading to Part VIIA..........	ad. No. 51, 2010
Division 1
Heading to Div. 1 of.......... Part VIIA	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 57....................................	rep. No. 81, 1983
	ad. No. 137, 1991
	rs. No. 51, 2010
Division 2
Heading to Div. 2 of.......... Part VIIA	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 57A.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Division 3
Heading to Div. 3 of.......... Part VIIA	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 58....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 143, 1992; No. 99, 2009; No. 51, 2010
S. 58A.................................	ad. No. 81, 1983
	am. No. 137, 1991; No. 165, 1992; No. 43, 1996
	rep. No. 99, 2009
	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 58AA...............................	ad. No. 51, 2010
	am. No. 139, 2010
Division 4
Heading to Div. 4 of.......... Part VIIA	ad. No. 51, 2010
Heading to s. 58B..............	rs. No. 99, 2009
S. 58B.................................	ad. No. 81, 1983
	am. No. 43, 1996; No. 99, 2009; No. 51, 2010
S. 58C.................................	ad. No. 81, 1983
	am. No. 143, 1992; No. 43, 1996
	rep. No. 99, 2009
S. 58D.................................	ad. No. 81, 1983
	am. No. 38, 2005; No. 51, 2010
S. 58E.................................	ad. No. 81, 1983
	am. No. 43, 1996
	rs. No. 99, 2009
S. 58F.................................	ad. No. 81, 1983
	am. No. 137, 1991; No. 84, 1994
	rep. No. 51, 2010
S. 59....................................	am. No. 137, 1991; No. 84, 1994; No. 99, 2009
	rep. No. 51, 2010
S. 59A.................................	ad. No. 119, 1988
	am. No. 137, 1991; No. 84, 1994; No. 99, 2009
	rep. No. 51, 2010
S. 60....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 99, 2009
	rs. No. 51, 2010
S. 60AA...............................	ad. No. 51, 2010
	am. No. 139, 2010
S. 60AB...............................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 60A.................................	ad. No. 99, 2009
S. 61....................................	am. No. 137, 1991
	rs. No. 51, 2010
	am. No. 139, 2010
S. 61A.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 62....................................	am. No. 81, 1983
Division 5
Heading to Div. 5 of.......... Part VIIA	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 63....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 43, 1996; No. 99, 2009
S. 64....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 137, 1991; No. 43, 1996; No. 194, 1999; No. 38, 2005; No. 99, 2009
S. 65....................................	am. No. 81, 1983
	rep. No. 99, 2009
Division 6
Heading to Div. 6 of.......... Part VIIA	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 66....................................	rs. No. 81, 1983
	am. No. 43, 1996; Nos. 51 and 139, 2010
Division 7
Heading to Div. 7 of.......... Part VIIA	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 67....................................	rep. No. 81, 1983
	ad. No. 99, 2009
	am. No. 51, 2010
Part VIIB
Part VIIB..............................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Division 1
S. 68....................................	rep. No. 81, 1983
	ad. No. 51, 2010
Division 2
Subdivision A
S. 69....................................	rep. No. 81, 1983
	ad. No. 51, 2010
Subdivision B
S. 70....................................	rep. No. 81, 1983
	ad. No. 51, 2010
Subdivision C
Ss. 71-73............................	rep. No. 81, 1983
	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 74....................................	rep. No. 81, 1983
	ad. No. 51, 2010
	am. No. 139, 2010
S. 75....................................	rep. No. 81, 1983
	ad. No. 51, 2010
Subdivision D
Ss. 76-85............................	rep. No. 81, 1983
	ad. No. 51, 2010
Subdivision E
Ss. 86-89............................	rep. No. 81, 1983
	ad. No. 51, 2010
Ss. 89A-89C.......................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 89D.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
	am. No. 139, 2010
S. 89E.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Division 3
Ss. 89F-89H.......................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 89J..................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
	am. No. 139, 2010
Part VIII
Division 1
Div. 1 of Part VIII................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Ss. 89K-89N.......................	ad. No. 51, 2010
Division 2
Heading to Div. 2 of.......... Part VIII	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 89P.................................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 90....................................	rep. No. 81, 1983
	ad. No. 51, 2010
	am. No. 139, 2010
Heading to s. 91................	rs. No. 51, 2010
S. 91....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 137, 1991; No. 84, 1994; Nos. 51 and 139, 2010
S. 92....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 84, 1994
	rs. No. 51, 2010
	am. No. 139, 2010
S. 92A.................................	ad. No. 84, 1994
	rep. No. 51, 2010
S. 93....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 111, 1986; No. 137, 1991; No. 43, 1996
	rs. No. 51, 2010
Ss. 93A, 93B.......................	ad. No. 51, 2010
S. 94....................................	am. No. 81, 1983; No. 111, 1986; No. 51, 2010
Schedule 1
Schedule 1.........................	am. No. 87, 1988; No. 62, 2004; SLI 2006 No. 50
Schedule 2
Schedule 2.........................	am. No. 7, 1983; No. 187, 1985; Nos. 102 and 111, 1986; Nos. 6, 121, 126, 127 and 129, 1988; Nos. 66 and 150, 1989; Nos. 26, 75 and 118, 1990; Nos. 99, 137, 149 and 180, 1991; No. 165, 1992; Nos. 64 and 84, 1994; No. 161, 1995; Nos. 67 and 96, 1997; Nos. 7, 146 and 161, 1999; Nos. 108 and 163, 2000; No. 30, 2001; No. 127, 2002; No. 114, 2003; No. 62, 2004; Nos. 45, 111, 118, 128 and 129, 2005; Nos. 50 and 170, 2006; Nos. 27 and 124, 2007; No. 66, 2008; Nos. 8, 51 and 148, 2010; Nos. 23, 32 and 170, 2011
Schedule 3
Schedule 3.........................	ad. No. 137, 1991
	am. No. 118, 1992; No. 181, 1994; No. 174, 1995; No. 114, 1997; Nos. 118, 161 and 176, 1999; No. 170, 2000; No. 153, 2001; Nos. 19, 28, 75 and 148, 2003; No. 62, 2004; Nos. 40, 73, 101 and 150, 2006; Nos. 8, 32 and 56, 2007; No. 145, 2010
Schedule 4
Schedule 4.........................	ad. No. 137, 1991
	am. No. 84, 1994; No. 51, 2010

Note 2

Section 32--Schedule 3 (item 23) of the Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Act 2010 (No. 51, 2010) provides as follows:

Schedule 3

23  Section 32

After "exempt documents," (wherever occurring), insert ", or are conditionally exempt".

The proposed amendment was misdescribed and is not incorporated in this compilation.

Note 3

Section 53B (table item 1)--Schedule 1 (item 210) of the Territories Law Reform Act 2010 (No. 139, 2010) provides as follows:

Schedule 1

210  Section 53B (table item 1)

After "relations", insert "etc.".

The proposed amendment was misdescribed and is not incorporated in this compilation.

Table A

Application, saving or transitional provisions

Migration Legislation Amendment (Protected Information) Act 2003
(No. 75, 2003)

Schedule 2

4  Application

(1)       The amendments made by this Schedule apply to a request for access to protected information made under the Freedom of Information Act 1982:

                     (a)  on or after the commencement of this Schedule; or

                     (b)  before the commencement of this Schedule if no decision under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 in respect of the request has been made, or has been taken to be made, before the commencement of this Schedule.

(2)       In this item:

protected information means:

                     (a)  information that:

                              (i)  is communicated to an authorised migration officer by a gazetted agency on condition that it be treated as confidential information; and

                             (ii)  is relevant to the exercise of a power under section 501, 501A, 501B or 501C of the Migration Act 1958; and

                     (b)  the agency details in relation to the protected information.

(3)       In the definition of protected information in subitem (2):

agency details has the meaning given in subsection 503D(2) of the Migration Act 1958.

authorised migration officer has the meaning given in subsection 503A(9) of the Migration Act 1958.

gazetted agency has the meaning given in subsection 503A(9) of the Migration Act 1958.

Administrative Appeals Tribunal Amendment Act 2005 (No. 38, 2005)

Schedule 1

212  Application of amendments--section 58D of the Freedom of Information Act 1982

The amendments made by items 210 and 211 do not apply to a proceeding if, immediately before the commencement of this item, the Tribunal was constituted for the purposes of the proceeding by one or more members.

Human Services Legislation Amendment Act 2005 (No. 111, 2005)

Schedule 2

729  Operation of the Freedom of Information Act 1982

The Freedom of Information Act 1982 has effect after the commencement time as if the reference to Medicare Australia in Division 1 of Part II of Schedule 2 to that Act included a reference to HIC.

Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (Serious Drug Offences and Other Measures) Act 2005 (No. 129, 2005)

Schedule 9

2  Application

The amendment made by item 1 applies in relation to a document that is a document of an agency before, on or after the commencement of that item.

Tax Laws Amendment (Repeal of Inoperative Provisions) Act 2006
(No. 101, 2006)

Schedule 6

5  Application of Schedule 5 amendments

The repeals and amendments made by Schedule 5 apply to acts done or omitted to be done, or states of affairs existing, after the commencement of the amendments.

6  Object

The object of this Part is to ensure that, despite the repeals and amendments made by this Act, the full legal and administrative consequences of:

                     (a)  any act done or omitted to be done; or

                     (b)  any state of affairs existing; or

                     (c)  any period ending;

before such a repeal or amendment applies, can continue to arise and be carried out, directly or indirectly through an indefinite number of steps, even if some or all of those steps are taken after the repeal or amendment applies.

7  Making and amending assessments, and doing other things, in relation to past matters

Even though an Act is repealed or amended by this Act, the repeal or amendment is disregarded for the purpose of doing any of the following under any Act or legislative instrument (within the meaning of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003):

                     (a)  making or amending an assessment (including under a provision that is itself repealed or amended);

                     (b)  exercising any right or power, performing any obligation or duty or doing any other thing (including under a provision that is itself repealed or amended);

in relation to any act done or omitted to be done, any state of affairs existing, or any period ending, before the repeal or amendment applies.

Example 1: On 31 July 1999, Greg Ltd lodged its annual return under former section 160ARE of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936. The return stated that the company had a credit on its franking account and that no franking deficit tax was payable for the 1998-99 franking year. Under former section 160ARH of that Act, the Commissioner was taken to have made an assessment consistent with the return.

                   Following an audit undertaken after the repeal of Part IIIAA of that Act, the Commissioner concludes that Greg Ltd fraudulently overfranked dividends it paid during the 1998-99 franking year, and had a franking account deficit for that franking year. As a result, the Commissioner considers that franking deficit tax and a penalty by way of additional tax are payable.

                   The Commissioner can amend the assessment under former section 160ARN of that Act, because item 7 of this Schedule disregards the repeal of that section for the purposes of making an assessment in relation to the 1998-99 franking year. Item 7 will also disregard the repeal of Division 11 of former Part IIIAA to the extent necessary for the Commissioner to assess Greg Ltd's liability to a penalty by way of additional tax.

                   Despite the repeal of sections 160ARU and 160ARV, item 9 will ensure that the general interest charge will accrue on the unpaid franking deficit tax and penalty until they are paid.

                   Item 7 will also preserve Greg Ltd's right, under former section 160ART of that Act, to object against the Commissioner's amended assessment (including the penalty), since the objection is the exercise of a right in relation to a franking year that ended before the repeal of Part IIIAA.

Example 2: During the 1997-98 income year, Duffy Property Ltd withheld amounts from its employees' wages as required by former Divisions 1AAA and 2 of Part VI of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936. The company failed to notify the Commissioner of those amounts, and failed to remit them to the Commissioner.

                   Following an audit undertaken after the repeal of those Divisions, the Commissioner discovers that the withheld amounts have not been remitted. The company's records are incomplete and the Commissioner is unable to completely ascertain the extent of its liability for the withheld amounts. Under section 222AGA of that Act, the Commissioner makes an estimate of the liability.

                   Item 7 will disregard the repeal of section 220AAZA of that Act (which empowered the Commissioner to recover the amount of the estimate). Even though the estimate is made after the repeal, it relates to amounts withheld before the repeal.

8  Saving of provisions about effect of assessments

If a provision or part of a provision that is repealed or amended by this Act deals with the effect of an assessment, the repeal or amendment is disregarded in relation to assessments made, before or after the repeal or amendment applies, in relation to any act done or omitted to be done, any state of affairs existing, or any period ending, before the repeal or amendment applies.

9  Saving of provisions about general interest charge, failure to notify penalty or late reconciliation statement penalty

If:

                     (a)  a provision or part of a provision that is repealed or amended by this Act provides for the payment of:

                              (i)  general interest charge, failure to notify penalty or late reconciliation statement penalty (all within the meaning of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936); or

                             (ii)  interest under the Taxation (Interest on Overpayments and Early Payments) Act 1983; and

                     (b)  in a particular case, the period in respect of which the charge, penalty or interest is payable (whether under the provision or under the Taxation Administration Act 1953) has not begun, or has begun but not ended, when the provision is repealed or amended;

then, despite the repeal or amendment, the provision or part continues to apply in the particular case until the end of the period.

10  Repeals disregarded for the purposes of dependent provisions

If the operation of a provision (the subject provision) of any Act or legislative instrument (within the meaning of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003) made under any Act depends to any extent on an Act, or a provision of an Act, that is repealed by this Act, the repeal is disregarded so far as it affects the operation of the subject provision.

11  Schedule does not limit operation of section 8 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901

This Schedule does not limit the operation of section 8 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment Act 2007 (No. 27, 2007)

Schedule 1

22  Application provision--exempt documents

The amendment made by item 14 of this Schedule applies to exempt Internet-content documents on or after the commencement of that item, whether the documents came into existence before, on or after commencement of that item.

Tax Laws Amendment (2007 Measures No. 1) Act 2007 (No. 56, 2007)

Schedule 1

5  Application

The amendments made by this Schedule apply to disclosures of information made on or after the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent (whenever the information was obtained).

Freedom of Information (Removal of Conclusive Certificates and Other Measures) Act 2009 (No. 99, 2009)

Schedule 1

34  Application provision--items 4 to 32

(1)       The amendments made by items 4 to 32 of this Schedule apply for the purposes of determining whether access to a document of an agency or an official document of a Minister will be given in accordance with a request made under subsection 15(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and received by the agency or Minister on or after the commencement of this Schedule.

(2)       A certificate issued in relation to a document under subsection 33(2), 33(4), 33A(2), 33A(4), 34(2), 34(4), 35(2), 35(4) or 36(3) of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (as in force immediately before the commencement of this Schedule) is, by force of this subitem, revoked in relation to the document on and from the time at which the first request for access to the document under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 is made on or after the commencement of this Schedule.

(3)       To avoid doubt:

                     (a)  subitem (2) does not affect anything done in relation to, or in reliance on, a certificate mentioned in subitem (2) before the commencement of this Schedule; and

                     (b)  nothing prevents a person from making a request, on and after the commencement of this Schedule, for access to a document of an agency or an official document of a Minister under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 if:

                              (i)  before the commencement of this Schedule, the person made a request for access to the same document; and

                             (ii)  the request was refused in reliance on a certificate mentioned in subitem (2).

35  Application provision--item 33

The amendment made by item 33 of this Schedule applies to a decision of the Tribunal made on or after the commencement of this Schedule.

Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Act 2010 (No. 51, 2010)

Schedule 2

4  Saving--unpublished information

Section 10 of the Freedom of Information Act 1982, as in force immediately before the commencement of item 3 (the commencement time), continues in force at and after the commencement time in relation to:

                     (a)  a document relating to a function of an agency, required to be made available in accordance with section 9 of that Act before the commencement time; and

                     (b)  conduct engaged in by a person before the commencement time that is relevant to the performance of that function.

Note:          Item 3 commences on the day after the end of the period of 6 months beginning on the day on which the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010 commences.

Schedule 3

39  Application--Part 2

An amendment made by an item in Part 2 applies in relation to requests for access made under section 15 of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 that are received at or after the commencement of that item.

Schedule 4

65  Application--Part 1

Internal review and IC review

(1)       An amendment made by an item in Part 1 (other than an amendment covered by subitem (2), (3) or (4)) applies in relation to the following:

                     (a)  requests for access made under section 15 of the Freedom of Information 1982 that are received at or after the commencement of that item;

                     (b)  applications under section 48 of that Act that are received at or after the commencement of that item.

Tribunal review

(2)       The amendments made by items 44 and 46 apply in relation to applications to the Tribunal under section 57A of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (as amended by this Act) made at or after the commencement of those items.

Investigation by the Information Commissioner

(3)       The amendments made by item 49 to insert new Part VIIB of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 apply in relation to action taken by an agency (within the meaning of the Freedom of Information Act 1982, as amended by this Schedule) before, at or after the commencement of that item.

Indemnity amendments

(4)       The following amendments apply in relation to the publication of, or the giving of access to, a document at or after the commencement of those amendments:

                     (a)  the amendment made by item 50 to insert new section 90 of the Freedom of Information Act 1982;

                     (b)  the amendments made by items 51, 52 and 56.

Schedule 6

40  Application--items 2, 3, 7, 16, 19 and 33

The amendments made by items 2, 3, 7, 16, 19 and 33 apply in relation to contracts entered into at or after the commencement of those items.

41  Application--items 4, 6, 8, 10 to 13, 17, 20 to 32 and 34 to 39

The amendments made by items 4, 6, 8, 10 to 13, 17, 20 to 32 and 34 to 39 apply in apply in relation to the following:

                     (a)  requests for access made under section 15 of the Freedom of Information 1982 that are received at or after the commencement of those items;

                     (b)  applications under section 48 of that Act that are received at or after the commencement of those items.

Tax Laws Amendment (Confidentiality of Taxpayer Information) Act 2010 (No. 145, 2010)

Schedule 2

123  Application of amendments

(3)       The amendment made by item 26 of this Schedule applies to exempt documents on or after the commencement of that item, whether the documents came into existence before, on or after commencement of that item.

Human Services Legislation Amendment Act 2011 (No. 32, 2011)

Schedule 4

113  Transitional--Medicare Australia documents

The Freedom of Information Act 1982 has effect, after the commencement of this item, as if the reference in Division 1 of Part II of Schedule 2 to documents in respect of commercial activities relating to the functions of the Chief Executive Medicare included a reference to the following:

                     (a)  documents in respect of commercial activities of Medicare Australia (within the meaning of the Medicare Australia Act 1973 as in force before 1 July 2011);

                     (b)  documents in respect of commercial activities of the Health Insurance Commission (within the meaning of the Health Insurance Act 1973 as in force before 1 October 2005).

Acts Interpretation Amendment Act 2011 (No. 46, 2011)

Schedule 3

10  Saving--appointments

The amendments made by Schedule 2 do not affect the validity of an appointment that was made under an Act before the commencement of this item and that was in force immediately before that commencement.

11  Transitional regulations

The Governor-General may make regulations prescribing matters of a transitional nature (including prescribing any saving or application provisions) relating to the amendments and repeals made by Schedules 1 and 2.

Table B

Modifications

A.C.T. Self-Government (Consequential Provisions) Regulations

Schedule 1

After section 16:

Insert the following section:

16A  Requests transferred from the ACT

Where a request under the Freedom of Information Act 1989 of the Australian Capital Territory is transferred to an agency in accordance with section 33 of the Act, it becomes a request under this Act at the time at which it is received by the agency.