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Freedom of information

Freedom of Information (FOI) Act

Australian Childhood immunisation registerThe Freedom of Information Act (FOI Act) came into effect on 1 December 1982, and gives individuals a right to:

  • access documents (including those containing personal information about themselves) held by the Australian Government and its agencies, unless information is exempt from release;
  • ask for information concerning them to be changed, if it is incomplete, out of date, incorrect, or misleading; and
  • appeal against a decision not to grant access to a document or amend or annotate a personal record.

Note: A request for your own personal Medicare and/or Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) history can be obtained outside the FOI Act. For further information view the How to request your personal information webpage.

Requesting information under the FOI Act

An application for information under the FOI Act must be made in writing to:

Freedom Of Information Officer
Medicare Australia
PO Box 1001
TUGGERANONG DC ACT 2901

Please ensure that you clearly identify exactly what information you require. Where applications are broad in scope or it is difficult to determine which documents are sought, it may be necessary for the FOI Officer to contact you to discuss your requirements. Please provide a telephone number or email address that you can be contacted on.

All FOI requests attract an application fee of $30.00 and processing charges may apply. These fees and charges may be waived if you can prove financial hardship or that the release of the information is in the greater public interest. Please note that the FOI application does not become valid until payment is received. Please forward payment by cheque to the address listed above, including a copy of your drivers licence for verification purposes.

If you are dissatisfied with any decision concerning your application, you have the right to appeal the FOI Officer’s decision through an internal review. If this outcome is still unsatisfactory, you may also appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. The Ombudsman can also be contacted if you are dissatisfied with the way your request has been handled. Further information regarding the appeal process is available upon request.

If you require any further information regarding FOI or wish to discuss any aspect of a request, please contact Medicare Australia FOI Officers:

Telephone: (02) 6124 7914
Facsimile: (02) 6124 6935
Email: co.foi@medicareaustralia.gov.auEmail

Last updated: 11 February, 2010