Freedom of information requests

Explore

The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic) (FOI Act) gives you the right to access information held by IBAC.

Before you make a freedom of information (FOI) request

Be aware an FOI request won’t give you access to all IBAC’s documents and information. 
Access to documents and other information held by IBAC is limited by law. The FOI Act does not apply to a large number of documents held by IBAC because of exclusions under the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission Act 2011 (Vic) (IBAC Act) and other legislation.

Documents held by IBAC that can’t be accessed under the FOI Act include documents that disclose information relating to:

  • a complaint (including a complaint made to IBAC by you);
  • an IBAC investigation or recommendation;
  • a report, including a draft report, on an IBAC investigation;
  • a preliminary inquiry;
  • a notification made to IBAC under a mandatory notification provision; or
  • a public interest disclosure.

This is to protect people when concerns such as privacy, safety and the integrity of an investigation outweigh the public's right to access information.

There’s lots of information on our website. We suggest searching for what you want first, as it may be available without having to make an FOI request.

FOI Part II statements

The statements below outline how we make information readily available to the public for the benefit of Victorians, transparency and to reduce the need for FOI requests.

If you have question about FOI requests or what information IBAC can legally provide, call 1300 735 135 or email FOI@ibac.vic.gov.au.

  • IBAC is Victoria’s anti-corruption and police oversight agency. It is responsible for helping to ensure integrity and accountability  in our public sector, including Victoria Police.

    The IBAC Act sets out IBAC’s primary objectives and functions: 

    • help prevent public sector corruption and police misconduct
    • provide for the identification, investigation and exposure of serious public sector corruption and police misconduct
    • educate the public sector and the community on the damaging effects of public sector corruption and police misconduct on public administration and the community, and how to prevent it.
    • assist in improving the capacity of the public sector to prevent corruption and police misconduct.

    See About us to learn more.

    Category/topic Resource location

    Acts relevant to IBAC

    About us > Legislation we work under

    Key structures and functions IBAC
    (Organisational chart)

    About us > Our people

    What we do

    About us > What we do

    You can also contact us directly to seek information on our operations.

  • IBAC’s electronic document and records management system classifies and stores many types of documents, including:

    • case files 
    • correspondence 
    • briefings and reports 
    • meeting records 
    • reviews 
    • policies
    • procedures and standards 
    • registers 
    • financial records 
    • audio-visual materials and transcripts 
    • education resources.

    IBAC holds documents created by the former Office of Police Integrity 

    The Office of Police Integrity (OPI) held similar types of documents to those listed above. The OPI and the Office of Director, Police Integrity, were replaced by IBAC on 10 February 2013.* At that time, all information, documents, reports, records and equipment in OPI possession or control under the Police Integrity Act 2008 (Vic), any other Act or otherwise, were transferred to IBAC.**

    Our publications and resources include some former OPI resources.

    *According to clauses 3 and 4 of Schedule 1 to the IBAC Act.
    **By operation of clause 6 of Schedule 1 to the IBAC Act.
     

  • Under the FOI Act the public can request information and access documents, held by IBAC, about their personal affairs and IBAC’s activities. This site provides general information to help you make a request.

    FOI requests must be made in writing. See the ‘How to make a request’ section below. The Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner has more on how to access documents or information under the FOI Act.

    IBAC’s annual report contains information on how to make a FOI request, and how we’re meeting our FOI obligations.

    Documents excluded from the FOI Act

    Certain IBAC and Office of Police Integrity (OPI) documents    are excluded from the scope of the FOI Act. See the table below.

    Documents  excluded from the FOI Act 
    IBAC documents OPI documents Public interest disclosures

    Section 194 of the IBAC Act states that the FOI Act does not apply to a document that is in IBAC’s possession to the extent to which the document discloses information that relates to: 

    • a complaint received by IBAC
    • a preliminary inquiry  
    • an investigation conducted under the IBAC Act
    • a recommendation made by IBAC under the IBAC Act
    • a report, including a draft report, on an investigation conducted under the IBAC Act
    • information received by IBAC under section 56 of the IBAC Act (information relevant to the carrying out of IBAC’s investigative functions)
    • a notification made to IBAC under section 57 of the IBAC Act (information regarding corrupt conduct)

    Section 24(1)(c) of the Witness Protection Act 1991 states that the FOI Act does not apply to a document to the extent that it discloses any information received by the Chief Commissioner of Police or the Minister for Police from IBAC or the Public Interest Monitor under the Witness Protection Act 1991.

    Section 174K of the Firearms Act 1996 states that the FOI Act does not apply to a document to the extent to which the document discloses information that relates to the performance of the duties and functions or the exercise of the powers of IBAC or an authorised IBAC officer.

    Section 51 of the PI Act states that the FOI Act does not apply to a document to the extent to which the document discloses information that relates to:

    • a complaint investigated by the Director under Part 3 of the Police Integrity (PI) Act
    • an investigation under Part 3 of the PI Act, whether in relation to a complaint or otherwise
    • a report on that investigation, including a report on the progress of the investigation

     

    Section 78 of the PI Act states that the FOI Act does not apply to a document to the extent to which the document discloses information that:

    • relates to a public interest disclosure
    • relates to an assessable disclosure
    • is likely to lead to the identification of a person who made a public interest disclosure

    These broad categories include all documents and information relating to a complaint or investigation. 

    These exemptions apply even if you’re the person who made the complaint or the one being investigated by IBAC.

    Excluded documents won’t be considered or provided under the FOI Act. 

    You can make a request by completing an FOI request form and sending it to IBAC. See the ‘How to make a request’ section below.

    Ensure you clearly set out what documents or information you want and include enough detail so we can identify them.

    IBAC can refuse an FOI request if processing it would substantially and unreasonably direct our resources away from other priorities. So, please keep your requests specific and reasonable.

  • Anyone can browse and search the Resource centre on IBAC’s website to access a wide range of publications covering topics including:

    • preventing corruption
    • parliamentary reports
    • research.

    Every year, IBAC also publishes an annual report on our performance and activities for the year.

    Translations of some IBAC publications are available.

    If you have a publications enquiry, you can email us at: communications@ibac.vic.gov.au 
    or mail:

    Manager Communication
    Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission
    GPO Box 24234
    Melbourne VIC 3001

  • Our internal rules, policies and procedures can be found via the following links.

  • IBAC publishes final reports and records of decisions relating to policy.
    See publications and resources for former Office of Police Integrity (OPI) resources (including some final reports and reviews) and for key publications, such as:

    • research reports
    • OPI annual reports
    • OPI parliamentary reports
    • OPI prevention and education resources
    • other OPI documents and papers.

How to make a request

  1. Download and complete the FOI request form.
     
  2. Email your completed form to FOI@ibac.vic.gov.au

    Or post to:
    Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission
    Freedom of Information Officer
    GPO Box 24234
    Melbourne VIC 3001
     
  3. Pay the application fee of $31.80. by bank transfer (EFT), bank cheque or money order.

    Contact FOI@ibac.vic.gov.au for details to pay by bank transfer (EFT).

    If paying by bank cheque or money order, please send with your form to the address above.

If payment of the application fee would cause you hardship, contact FOI@ibac.vic.gov.au to request a fee waiver.

Fees and access charges

Fees and charges are determined by the FOI Act and the Freedom of Information (Access Charges) Regulations 2014.

See the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner's FOI access charges calculator for more information.

What happens to your FOI request?

Once IBAC receives a valid FOI request, we will reply with a decision within 30 days. This may be extended if we need to consult with other people or organisations.

What if you’re unhappy with an FOI decision?

If you're unhappy with a decision IBAC’s made under the FOI Act, you can ask the Victorian Information Commissioner to review the decision or make a complaint. Please note: the Victorian Information Commissioner cannot review or change a decision made under section 194 of the IBAC Act that the FOI Act does not apply to a document.

The Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner's website has more information and forms you can use to ask for a review or make a complaint.

Want more information about FOI requests?

Call 1300 735 135 or email FOI@ibac.vic.gov.au with any specific questions about FOI requests, or to find out what information we can legally provide.

You can also visit the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner's website.

Related resources

What happens to your request?
Once IBAC receives a valid FOI request, we will reply with a decision within 30 days. This may be extended if we need to consult with other people or organisations.
Fees and access charges
Fees and access charges
Fees and charges for FOI requests are determined by the FOI Act and the Freedom of Information (Access Charges) Regulations 2014. The Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner provides a calculator to help you estimate FOI access charges.
Access charges calculator