Information For Applicants

Right to Access

The Queensland Freedom of Information Act (1992) (the FOI Act) gives the public a right of access to documents held by Government Owned Corporations. SunWater is an agency under the FOI Act. The public is not entitled to access documents relating to SunWater's commercial activities; or its community based obligations as prescribed by regulation.

Requirement for an Application

An application made under the FOI Act for access to documents, amendment of personal information or review of a decision must be in writing. The Application Form can be downloaded from our website and is available upon request. Forms may be completed on-screen, but an original signed form must be submitted by post to SunWater.

An application for access must contain sufficient information for SunWater to identify the documents requested. SunWater may need to obtain further information from you to locate the documents.

No Reasons Required

When requesting access to documents held by SunWater, you are not required to give a reason for wanting to see the document. If access to the document is denied by SunWater, you will be provided with a written explanation.

Definition of a Document

Documents include, but are not limited to, files, reports, working papers, work diaries, computer printouts and disks, maps, plans, photographs, tape recordings and videotapes.

Access to Non-Personal Documents

If the request is for access to non-personal documents, a $35.25 application fee is payable and must accompany the application. GST is not applicable to application fees. Payment can be by cheque, money order or cash. Cash should not be sent by post. Cheques and money orders should be made payable to "SunWater". SunWater is also entitled to charge extra for time taken in compiling the documents if more than two (2) hours is required. Please refer to the Application Form for a Schedule of Fees and Charges.

Access to Personal Documents

No application fee is payable for access to documents about your personal affairs. Personal affairs documents include information on any matter of personal or private concern to an individual, such as medical records, family or domestic relationships, income, assets and financial records. Usually you cannot gain access to another person's personal documents unless that person has given written authorisation for you to do so.

Before you will be given access to your personal documents, you must provide proof of your identity by producing identification that includes a photograph. This can be a passport, driver's licence or identity card issued by a properly accredited agency. Other forms of identification, such as birth certificate, pension or Medicare cards etc, may be accepted upon application in some circumstances.

Amendment to Personal Affairs Documents

Application may be made to amend documents held by SunWater which relate to your personal affairs if the information is out of date, misleading or incorrect. A separate application form is available for this purpose. No charge is payable for applications to amend personal information.

Processing of Request

Processing a request takes some time, so immediate access to documents is generally not given. Documents need to be located and a decision about access given. There are, however, statutory time limits within which requests must be dealt with.

Notification of Decision

You will be notified of a decision regarding your request within the following time periods:

1. Personal affairs documents (45 days)
2. Non-personal affairs documents:
   • Where documents came into existence after 19 November 1987 (45 days)
   • Where documents came into existence prior to 19 November 1987 (60 days)
3. Application for amendment of personal information (30 days)
4. Review of charges (30 days)

A decision about access may take longer (an additional 15 days) if the FOI Coordinator is required to consult with other organisations or individuals regarding the documents you have requested.

Appealing a Decision

If you are unhappy with a decision made about your request for access or amendment of information, you can ask SunWater (in writing) to reconsider its decision. Review application forms are available upon request. Internal review of the decision will then be conducted by a more senior officer than the original decision maker and a fresh decision will be made.

External review of the decision by the Information Commissioner (Ombudsman) can be undertaken if you are not happy with the internal review decision, or if the initial decision was made by the Principal Officer.

Further Information

For further information contact:

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