---
title: "Freedom of information access application (Commonwealth, with NSW and NZ variants and review follow-ups)"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/precedents/administrative-and-public-law/foi-access-application"
type: "precedent"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "a31-foi-access-application"
area_id: "A31"
kind: "letter"
ai_level: "yellow"
version: 1
law_stated_as_at: "2026-10-17"
---

# Freedom of information access application (Commonwealth, with NSW and NZ variants and review follow-ups)

> A scoped request for documents under the FOI Act 1982 (Cth) that meets s 15, heads off practical refusal and charges, and sets up internal and Information Commissioner review, with NSW GIPA and NZ OIA variants.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/precedents/administrative-and-public-law/foi-access-application  
Law stated as at: 2026-10-17

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

- Kind: Letter. A letter or email you adapt and send.
- Practice area: [Administrative & Public Law](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/administrative-and-public-law.md)
- Jurisdictions: Australia, Commonwealth, New South Wales, New Zealand
- AI level: Yellow. AI can help in set ways. A lawyer checks specific points before use.
- Law stated as at: 2026-10-17
- Status: Maintained. Checked on 2026-10-17 against the 7 authorities it cites, for 4 jurisdictions.

## When to use it

Use when a client needs documents held by a Commonwealth agency or Minister, for example to understand a decision or prepare for review. Use the NSW variant for NSW agencies. Do not use it for courts or for documents already available through discovery or a statutory reasons request.

## How AI may be used

AI may help turn the client's account into precise document descriptions and draft review grounds. A lawyer confirms the statute, agency, scope and timing and checks every description against instructions before the request is sent.

**AI may:**

- Turn the client's account and the decision notice into precise document descriptions with date ranges, business areas and document types.
- Suggest exclusions (duplicates, published material, junior staff details) that cut processing time without losing key documents.
- Draft internal-review or Information Commissioner review grounds from the decision notice and schedule of documents for the lawyer to settle.

**AI must not:**

- Must not enter the client's personal, health or financial information into a public AI tool whose terms allow retention or training on inputs.
- Must not select the statute, agency or review pathway without a lawyer confirming it.
- Must not state exemption law, fees or time limits that have not been checked against the current Act and regulations.

**The lawyer checks:**

- The request meets each requirement of FOI Act s 15(2) (or each GIPA s 41(1) formal requirement, including the fee).
- The agency and address are correct and the request is sent in a way s 15(2A) permits.
- Diary dates are set: 14-day acknowledgment, 30-day decision, 30-day internal review window and 60-day IC review window.
- Written client authority is on file before lodging, and any third-party information request is justified.

## Authorities

- [Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) s 15 (requirements for a request; 14-day acknowledgment and 30-day decision period)](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A02562/latest/text)
- [Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) s 15AC (deemed refusal) and ss 24, 24AA, 24AB (practical refusal and request consultation process)](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A02562/latest/text)
- [Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) s 29 (charges notice and reduction or waiver)](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A02562/latest/text)
- [Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) Pt VI, ss 54B, 54C (internal review) and Pt VII, s 54S (Information Commissioner review time limits)](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A02562/latest/text)
- [Freedom of Information (Charges) Regulations 2019 (Cth) s 7(1) (no charge for documents containing the applicant's personal information)](https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2019L00348/latest/text)
- [Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW) ss 41, 42, 57, 64, 83, 90, 101](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2009-052)
- [Official Information Act 1982 (NZ) ss 12, 15, 28](https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1982/0156/latest/whole.html)

## Official form

[Official form](https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/how-to-access-government-information/make-a-freedom-of-information-request/how-to-make-a-freedom-of-information-request)

## Full text and drafting notes

The full text and the drafting notes are not part of this public page. Signed-in firm accounts can read them at https://ailawframework.com/precedents/administrative-and-public-law/foi-access-application and through the signed-in MCP connector https://ailawframework.com/mcp/firm.

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*