---
title: "Request consultation notice for a practical refusal reason"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/precedents/administrative-and-public-law/foi-practical-refusal-consultation-notice"
type: "precedent"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "a31-foi-practical-refusal-consultation-notice"
area_id: "A31"
kind: "notice"
ai_level: "yellow"
version: 1
task_ids: ["A31-X20260927-5"]
law_stated_as_at: "2026-10-22"
---

# Request consultation notice for a practical refusal reason

> A written notice under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) sections 24 and 24AB, with the section 24AA processing matters left for the agency or Minister to assess.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/precedents/administrative-and-public-law/foi-practical-refusal-consultation-notice  
Law stated as at: 2026-10-22

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

## Key facts

- Kind: Notice. A formal notice to serve or publish.
- Practice area: [Administrative & Public Law](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/administrative-and-public-law.md)
- Jurisdictions: Commonwealth
- AI level: Yellow. You and the tool draft together, with you directing. You check every statement you rely on.
- Law stated as at: 2026-10-22
- Status: Maintained. Checked on 2026-10-22 against the 3 authorities it cites, for Commonwealth.

## When to use it

Use when an agency or Minister is considering refusing an access request because a practical refusal reason may exist, and must first give the applicant a request consultation notice.

## Used for these tasks

- [Prepare a refusal-to-deal consultation notice and the processing estimate behind it](https://ailawframework.com/practice/administrative-and-public-law/prepare-a-refusal-to-deal-consultation-notice-and-the-processing-estimat.md)

## How AI may be used

AI may insert the request details and the contact the principal names, and may list hours the principal has supplied against the section 24AA matters.

**AI may:**

- Insert the applicant's reference, the date of the request, and the contact person the principal names
- List identifying, locating, collating, examining, consulting, copying and notifying work using hours the principal supplies
- State the consultation period as 14 days after the day the applicant is given the notice

**AI must not:**

- Must not decide that a practical refusal reason exists
- Must not decide that diversion of resources would be substantial and unreasonable
- Must not have regard to the applicant's reasons, any belief about those reasons, or a maximum charge
- Must not invent a processing formula or a charge

**The lawyer checks:**

- The agency or Minister is satisfied a practical refusal reason exists before the notice is given
- The contact person is an officer of the agency or a member of staff of the Minister
- Only one request consultation process is undertaken for the request
- Any later refusal is made only if, after the process, the practical refusal reason still exists

## Authorities

- [Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) s 24](https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/foia1982222/s24.html)
- [Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) s 24AA](https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/foia1982222/s24aa.html)
- [Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) s 24AB](https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/foia1982222/s24ab.html)

## 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-practical-refusal-consultation-notice 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.*