Right to Information

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​What is Right to Informat​​ion (RTI)?​​​

​The Right to Information Act 2009 ('RTI Act') gives members of the public the right to obtain information that: 
  • is held by public authorities and Ministers
  • is about the operations of Government
  • is not exempt information under the RTI Act

How can I find Governm​ent information?

There is a large amount of Government information public​ly available online. 

Before you lodge an RTI request you should check whether the information is already available somewhere else.

Information may already be available in other places including:

If I can'​t find the information I am looking for, how do I​ make an RTI application?​

If you can't find the information you are looking for you can make a RTI applicati​​o​​n:

 RTI Application Form (PDF 314Kb)

Applications are to be accompanied by the application fee of ​$46.75, unless you are claiming a fee waiver (see below).

The application fee can be paid by:​
  • Direct deposit to WESTPAC, BSB 037-001, ACCOUNT 268083
  • Credit card by telephoning The Department of Natural Resources and Environment's Finance Branch on 1800 861 809​​; or
  • Cheque or money order made out to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania.
You may apply to have the fee waived if:
  • You are in financial hardship - we would usually ask to see evidence that you are in receipt of Centrelink or Veterans Affairs payments;
  • You are a Member of Parliament and the application is in connection with your official duty;
  • You are a journalist acting in connection with your professional duties; or
  • You are able to demonstrate that you intend to use the information for a purpose that is of general public interest or benefit
Once your payment has been processed the application fee will not be refunded.


What will we do once ​we have your application?

The Department will locate all information relevant to your request.  

A delegated RTI Officer will assess this information against the RTI Act to see whether or not it can be provided to you.  

Generally, you will receive a decision within 20 working days. If we are required to consult with third parties about the information, then we have 40 working days to make a decision. 

If some or all of the information is exempt information, the delegated RTI Officer’s written decision will explain why.

If your request is complex or is for a large amount of information we may work with you to amend your request or ask you to grant us more time to make the decision.
 
If we do not provide you with a decision within the timeframe allowed you are entitled to apply to the Ombudsman for resolution of the matter.


​​​RTI Disclos​​ure Log

The Departm​​ent may publish information it releases to you on its Disclosure Log​.

We will do this if it is in the public interest to do so and supports the Department’s commitment to making information available to a wider audience. 

We will not publish:
  • statements of reasons
  • personal information
  • commercially sensitive information

Your identity will not be published, however we will identify the category of applicant, such as Member of Parliament, media representative or private individual.


RTI Act and Regulations​

​​You can view, download and print the ​Right to Information Act 2009​ and ​R​ig​ht to Information Regulations 2021​​​ from the Tasmanian Legislation website.​

The Department has Policy and Procedures on information disclosure:

  Information Disclosure Policy   (4Mb) ​​


Ombudsman's Rig​​ht to Information Manual and Guidelines

The Tasmanian Ombudsman has produced a Manual and Guidelines concerning implementation of the RTI Act. See the Tasmanian Ombudsman website.
 

Contact

Right to Information Program Manager

GPO Box 44,
Hobart, TAS, 7001.