Changes to FOI legislation

Published on 01 September 2017

The following information outlines the changes to the Victorian Freedom of Information Act 1982.

On 1 September 2017, the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC) commenced. OVIC combines the functions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Commissioner and the Office of the Commissioner for Privacy and Data Protection.

While there are no amendments to the Information Privacy Principles (IPPs) or the Victorian Protective Data Security Standards (VPDSS) under the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014, there are changes to the Freedom of Information Act 1982. Key changes most relevant to the SRO are:

• The standard maximum time-frame for responding to an FOI request is reduced from 45 days to 30 days,
• Expanded third-party consultation requirements,
• The time-frame to appeal OVIC decisions is reduced from 60 days to 14 days, and
• New grounds of complaint against principal officers

For further information on the changes you can visit ovic.vic.gov.au or contact SRO Information Officer Richard Pang on 03 9628 0142.