Right to information

Accessing information

The Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) is committed to providing access to information held by QAS unless, on balance, it is contrary to the public interest to provide that information. The Right to Information Act 2009 (RTI Act) aims to make more information available and protects people’s privacy.

Under the RTI Act any person or entity may apply to:

• access government information
• access and amend government documents containing their own personal information.

Applicants do not need to give a reason to request information and can engage with QAS anonymously or under a pseudonym.  However, certain requests – such as access to personal information – may require identity verification to proceed.

More information about RTI is available on the Queensland Government website.

Is the information you're looking for already available?

Our website makes it easy to access information about QAS, as well as information released under the RTI Act.

You can also check to see if information you are seeking is already publicly available online through:

• our site search
• our publication scheme, available on the Business operations page of our website, which contains information about QAS, our services, finances, strategy, decisions, policies, lists and registers.
• our public lists and registers, available on the Business operations page of our website
• our open data datasets that are accessible on the Queensland Government’s Open Data Portal.
• Released Cabinet documents, ministerial statements and diaries on The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory.

Some of the documents on this site are currently only available in pdf format.  Should you be unable to read these documents please contact us and we will endeavour to meet all reasonable requests for an alternative format of the document.

If you cannot find what you are looking for, we recommend you contact us and we can help determine if the information you are seeking is held by QAS and is accessible.

Requesting information

We can often release non-personal information that is not sensitive or confidential, or your own personal information, without needing a formal RTI application. This is called an ‘administrative release’.

Before lodging a request, contact us to discuss the type of information you are requesting and whether it can be released.

Where information is not already available or able to be released administratively, you can apply to access documents through a formal application under the RTI Act.

Some information held by QAS may not be accessible to members of the public. Under the RTI Act, the QAS cannot be compelled to disclose certain types of information. Please contact the Right to Information team for further information.

How to make an access application under the RTI Act

An RTI application can be made in the following ways:

• Apply online using the online RTI application form
• Complete and submit the printable RTI application form:
• by email: QASPrivacy@sport.qld.gov.au
• by post:  Right to Information, Queensland Academy of Sport, PO Box 956, SUNNYBANK QLD 4109

Use of this form is not mandatory; we will also accept access applications that meet the following criteria:

• Must be in writing
• Provide enough information to identify documents
• Provide an address for correspondence
• Provide evidence of identity (if applying for personal information)
• Provide evidence of authority (when making an application on behalf of a third party)

Information about the current fees and charges for applications under the RTI Act is available on the Queensland Government website.

How long will it take to process my application?

You will typically receive a response to your application within 25 business days of QAS receiving your valid application. If a document requested is from another party, for example another government agency or someone who may have concerns with the release of the information, we may need to consult with the other party. If this happens, we will need an extra 10 business days to finalise your application.

What if my request for information is declined?

The QAS may not be able to give you access to all the documents you request, as some are exempt from release. If this is the case, you may be able to dispute our decision.

The first step is to apply for an internal QAS review of the decision in writing within 20 business days of receiving the decision. You can send your request to: Right to Information, Queensland Academy of Sport, PO Box 956, SUNNYBANK QLD 4109.

Your internal review application will then be referred to a senior officer for decision.

For an external, independent review of our decision, contact the Office of the Information Commissioner.

How to amend your personal information in documents

Under the RTI Act, you can apply to amend documents containing your personal information if you believe that the relevant information is inaccurate, misleading, out of date or incomplete. There is no application fee, but you must provide evidence of identity.

Before making a formal application, you should contact us.  Agencies like the QAS have an obligation under the privacy principles to allow you to update your personal information. In most cases this can be done informally - for example, if you need to update your contact details. Agencies should always try and help with informal requests first.

If you wish to make a formal application to change your personal information under the RTI Act, the preferred method is to download the application form. You can then submit it in one of the following ways:

• by email: QASPrivacy@sport.qld.gov.au
• by post:  Right to Information, Queensland Academy of Sport, PO Box 956, SUNNYBANK QLD 4109

You don’t have to use this form, but your application must meet the following criteria:

• Must be in writing
• Provide enough information to identify documents
• State the information claimed to be inaccurate, incomplete, out of date or misleading and state the grounds for the claim
• State that the amendment/s are necessary for the information to be accurate or not misleading
• State the information necessary to complete the information or bring it up to date
• Provide an address for correspondence
• Provide evidence of identity
• Provide evidence of authority (when making an application on behalf of a third party)

Visit the RTI website to find out more about your rights to amend personal information held by QAS.

Make a complaint

If you think your request has not been handled properly under the RTI Act, you can submit a complaint in writing to the QAS.  Visit the Business Operations page and review the 'Compliments and complaints' section to find out how to do this.

Contact Right to Information

For further information relating to the disclosure of government information held by QAS, please contact us:

Right to Information 

Queensland Academy of Sport
PO Box 956
SUNNYBANK QLD 4109
Phone: (07) 3708 7800
by email: QASPrivacy@sport.qld.gov.au

Contact Office of the Information Commissioner

For more information about the RTI Act and your right to access information or to request a review, contact:

Office of the Information Commissioner 
PO Box 10143 
Adelaide Street Brisbane 
Queensland 4000

Email: enquiries@oic.qld.gov.au
Website: www.oic.qld.gov.au
Phone: (07) 3234 7373 or 1800 642 753

More information

• Accessing government-held information – Office of the Information Commissioner
• Amending personal information held by government – Office of the Information Commissioner
• Right to information and information privacy – Queensland Government