Access to QCT Information
Freedom of Information
The Queensland Freedom of Information Act 1992 (FOI Act) commenced in 1992. The FOI Act provides the community with a legally enforceable right to access documents subject to a limited number of exemptions.
How to make a FOI application
Anyone can apply to obtain information held by the Queensland College of Teachers under the FOI Act.
Section 25 of the FOI Act provides that applications must:
- be in writing;
- provide sufficient information concerning the document(s) as is reasonably necessary to enable a responsible officer of the agency to identify the document(s); and
- specify an address for notification of a decision.
Where an application is made for documents that do not concern your personal affairs, an application fee is required.
Where an application is made for documents that solely concern your personal affairs, proof of identification is required to accompany the application. An example of appropriate identification is a photocopy of your birth certificate, passport or driver's licence.
Applications should be addressed to:
The Freedom of Information Officer
Queensland College of Teachers
PO Box 389
Toowong Qld 4066
Fees and charges
Application fee
Unless the requested documents relate solely to your personal affairs, an application fee of $36.50 must accompany your application.
The application fee cannot be waived.
Processing charges
In addition to the application fee, applications for documents that do not relate to your personal affairs may also attract additional charges for time spent by officers in searching for and processing the documents applied for. The charges that apply are $5.60 for each 15 minutes or part thereof.
Access charges
A photocopy fee of twenty (20) cents applies to each photocopied single sided non-personal document. If access is sought by way of inspection of the documents, a charge of $5.60 for each 15 minutes or part thereof is payable.
You may not have to pay the processing and copy charges if you have a:
- Centrelink Health Care Card;
- Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card; or
- Veterans Affairs Pensioner Concession Card.
Form of Payment
Cheque or money order payable to the Queensland College of Teachers.
Time taken to process applications
You will receive written acknowledgement within 14 days of your application being received. Generally you will receive a final response to your application within 45 days of the Queensland College of Teachers receiving your application.
If a document you requested is from another party, for example another government agency or someone who may have concerns with the release of the information, consultation with this other party may be required. In these circumstances the QCT has an additional 15 days to finalise your application.
For further information regarding access to documents held by the Queensland College of Teachers please refer to the QCT Statement of Affairs.
Amending your personal information
After having accessed documents held by the Queensland College of Teachers should you find that your personal information is inaccurate, incomplete, out-of-date or misleading you may make application for correction or amendment of any part of the information. Any such application must:
- be in writing;
- specify an address for notification of a decision;
- give particulars of the information believed to be inaccurate, incomplete, out-of-date or misleading; and
- specify the amendments that you wish to be made.
Applications should be addressed to:
The Freedom of Information Officer
Queensland College of Teachers
PO Box 389
Toowong Qld 4066
Reviewing a decision
If you are dissatisfied or “aggrieved” with the decision of the Queensland College of Teachers made under the FOI Act regarding access or amendment to documents you can apply to the QCT for an internal review of its decision.
To apply for an internal review of a decision you must apply in writing within 28 days of receiving the decision.
Applications for internal review should be addressed to:
The Director
Queensland College of Teachers
PO Box 389
Toowong Qld 4066
Your internal review application will then be referred to a senior officer for decision.
If you are still dissatisfied with the decision made by the internal review officer, you have the right to request a review by The Office of the Information Commissioner. Further information in relation to The Office of the Information Commissioner is available at http://www.oic.qld.gov.au.