Right to information

You have the right to access certain government information under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act).

The object of the GIPA Act is to open government information to the public by:

• authorising and encouraging the proactive release of government information
• providing the public an enforceable right to access government information
• restricting access only when there is an overriding public interest against disclosure, and
• requiring government agencies to make certain information available at no cost.

How to access information

SafeWork NSW releases ‘open access information’ to the public on our website. If the information you are seeking is not available on this website and is not routinely provided by SafeWork on request, then you have a right to apply for access to the information.

Please contact the Privacy & Right to Information Team to discuss your access options on (02) 9289 1600 or by email at gipa@safework.nsw.gov.au.

Formal access application

When requesting information that is not publicly available, including personal information of others, or business information, a formal access application may need to be submitted.

You can make a formal access application for information held by SafeWork NSW using  online application payment form.

If you're unable to complete the online application form, please contact the Right to Information team for other application options.

Fees associated with formal access applications

A $30 application fee applies to all formal access applications.

Processing time

The GIPA Act states that a decision must be provided within 20 working days from the receipt of the application. This can be extended by 10 working days (to a maximum of 15 days) to undertake third party consultation or to retrieve archived records. The decision period can also be extended by agreement with an applicant.

Requesting an Internal Review of a decision made under the GIPA Act

If you disagree with a decision made by SafeWork NSW under the GIPA Act, you have the right to request an internal review of that decision (Word doc]. A $40 application fee applies to most internal review applications.

Informal access application

In certain circumstances, SafeWork NSW can release information informally. If you wish to discuss your access options, please contact the Privacy & Right to Information Team on (02) 9289 1600 or by email at gipa@safework.nsw.gov.au.

Open access information

Under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act), certain information is required by law to be available on our website, free of charge.

• Agency Information Guide

The Agency Information Guide under the GIPA Act is a document that outlines the structure and functions of an agency and highlights those functions (i.e. policies) that might affect members of the public.

• Policy document register

SafeWork NSW is committed to promoting an open, fair, accountable and transparent government. The policy document register under the GIPA Act contains a list of documents that SafeWork NSW has made publicly available. NSW Government agencies have an obligation to release documents that are connected to, or likely to affect, the rights and privileges of the public when dealing with that agency.

• Disclosure log

Our disclosure log is a record of information that the Department of Customer Service has released, often in response to a specific request from an individual or organisation, that has been assessed as of interest to the public.

This log is continuously updated as additional information is released under the GIPA Act.

• Register of government contracts

Part 3 Division 5 of the GIPA Act sets out information about an agency's responsibility to publish contracts worth $150,000 or more on their website. See our register of contracts at NSW eTendering .

Personal and Health information held by SafeWork NSW

The Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (PPIP Act) and the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (HRIP Act) contain provisions regarding the collection, use, disclosure and security of personal and health related information. These provisions also set out the right of individuals to access and amend, if necessary, their personal and health related information held by NSW government agencies.

For further information on SafeWork NSW’s privacy practices, or to apply for access to your personal or health information, please see our privacy page.

Contact

For further information about your right to access information held by SafeWork NSW, please call (02) 9289 1600 or email gipa@safework.nsw.gov.au.

Please contact the SafeWork NSW Privacy Officer on (02) 9289 1600 or by email at privacy@safework.nsw.gov.au:

• for further information about the agency's obligations under the PPIP Act or HRIP Act
• to discuss accessing your personal or health information
• to request an internal review.