RTI access

Corporate Records is responsible for the coordination of matters concerned with the Right to Information Act 2009. The RTI Act provides a legally enforceable right of access to USQ documents, subject to, a number of exemptions. Right to Information (RTI) requires proactive release of information under administrative arrangements. USQ has a Publication Scheme   which provides the public with access to a broad range of information. An RTI access request is a last resort. To enable access to, or amendment of, your own personal information held by USQ an application must be made under the Information Privacy Act 2009. Applications requesting a mixture of personal and non-personal information or requesting another person's personal information will be dealt with under Right to Information.

Request for access

A single application form is available for access applications under both the Right to Information Act 2009 and the Information Privacy Act 2009. Applicants should follow these steps:

1. obtain an application form to access documents under RTI or Privacy.
     
2. provide as much information as you can to enable identification of the documents of interest to you.
     
3. state whether you wish to:

• obtain a copy
• inspect the documents
• obtain a transcript
• listen to or watch a tape recording

Send your application to USQ by: 

• Email
  (to the Right to Information Coordinator and Decision-maker, Sheree Schott).
•  Fax
  (to the Right to Information Coordinator and Decision-maker, Sheree Schott on +61 7 4631 2937) .
• Post or deliver
  (to the Right to Information Coordinator and Decision-maker, Corporate Records, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba Qld 4350) . 

Fees and charges

There are no charges for applications to access or amend a person's own personal information, however USQ may recover actual costs incurred in providing access to personal information (for example: reproducing non-paper sourced information).

Fees

An application fee of $40.50 is payable concerning request for documents deemed to be non-personal affairs. In addition, there are charges for processing time, including inspection supervision, plus photocopying charges at 20 cents per A4 page for providing copies of released documents. There may also be a charge for services such as showing a video or providing computer printouts.

Preliminary assessment of charges

If you make a non-personal application, you will receive a preliminary assessment of charges and you may consult with the University on options for reducing the cost of the application.  In limited circumstances charges may be waived on grounds of financial hardship. 

Disclosure Log

An agency's (USQ's) disclosure log provides access to documents (non-personal affairs information) that have been assessed through the Right to Information formal process. The purpose of a disclosure log is to make individual releases of information under the new RTI legislation available to the widest possible audience. 'Personal affairs' information, including an individual's name (the applicant), will not be published.

Further information

For further information concerning Right to Information matters please contact:

•     Manager, Corporate Records 
      Derek Turner, phone +61 7 4631 1760 or fax +61 7 4631 2937
•     Right to Information Coordinator and Decision-maker
      Sheree Schott, phone +61 7 4631 1759 or fax +61 7 4631 2937; or alternatively
•     Privacy and personal information matters please contact the Privacy Officer, 
      Ms Pam Steele phone +61 7 4631 2066 or fax +61 7 4631 1217.