{"id":"sr:freedom-information-regulations-2019","name":"Freedom of Information Regulations 2019","slug":"freedom-of-information-regulations-2019","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"vic","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":181509,"registerId":"vic-sr:freedom-information-regulations-2019-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Freedom of Information Regulations 2019","content":"Version No. 003\n\n**Freedom of Information Regulations 2019**\n\n**S.R. No. 25/2019**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n25 March 2025\n\n**TABLE OF PROVISIONS**\n\n*Regulation Page*\n\n1 Objectives 1\n\n2 Authorising provision 1\n\n3 Commencement 1\n\n4 Revocations 1\n\n5 Definition 2\n\n6 Prescribed authorities 2\n\n7 Prescribed offices 2\n\n8 Prescribed persons or bodies—relevant authority 2\n\n9 Prescribed persons or bodies—referral for investigation 2\n\n10 Confidentiality notices 3\n\nSchedule 1—Prescribed authorities 4\n\nSchedule 2—Prescribed persons and bodies 5\n\nSchedule 3—Forms 6\n\n═════════════\n\nEndnotes 12\n\n1 General information 12\n\n2 Table of Amendments 14\n\n3 Explanatory details 15\n\n**Version No.** **003**\n\n**Freedom of Information Regulations 2019**\n\n**S.R. No. 25/2019**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n25 March 2025\n\n\t1 Objectives\n\nThe objectives of these Regulations are—\n\n(a) to declare certain bodies to be prescribed authorities for the purposes of the **Freedom of Information Act 1982**; and\n\n(b) to prescribe certain offices for the purposes of section 5(3)(a) of that Act; and\n\nReg. 1(c) amended by S.R. No. 155/2019 reg. 5(1).\n\n(c) to prescribe the persons and bodies to which the Information Commissioner may refer matters; and\n\nReg. 1(d) inserted by S.R. No. 155/2019 reg. 5(2).\n\n(d) to prescribe other matters necessary to be prescribed under the **Freedom of Information Act 1982**.\n\n\t2 Authorising provision\n\nThese Regulations are made under section 66 of the **Freedom of Information Act 1982**.\n\n\t3 Commencement\n\nThese Regulations come into operation on 5 April 2019.\n\n\t4 Revocations\n\nThe following Regulations are **revoked**—\n\n(a) the Freedom of Information Regulations 2009[[1]](#endnote-1);\n\n(b) the Freedom of Information Amendment Regulations 2012[[2]](#endnote-2);\n\n(c) the Freedom of Information Further Amendment Regulations 2012[[3]](#endnote-3);\n\n(d) the Freedom of Information Amendment Regulations 2015[[4]](#endnote-4).\n\n\t5 Definition\n\nIn these Regulations—\n\n***the Act*** means the **Freedom of Information Act 1982**.\n\n\t6 Prescribed authorities\n\nFor the purposes of paragraph (b) of the definition of ***prescribed authority*** in section 5(1) of the Act, each body specified in Schedule 1 is declared to be a prescribed authority for the purposes of the Act.\n\n\t7 Prescribed offices\n\nFor the purposes of section 5(3)(a) of the Act, the following are prescribed offices—\n\n(a) the Director of Public Prosecutions;\n\n(b) the Public Advocate;\n\n(c) the Solicitor-General.\n\n\t8 Prescribed persons or bodies—relevant authority\n\nFor the purposes of section 49O(5) of the Act, a person or body specified in Schedule 2 is prescribed as a relevant authority.\n\n\t9 Prescribed persons or bodies—referral for investigation\n\nFor the purposes of section 61L(8) of the Act, a person or body specified in Schedule 2 is prescribed.\n\nReg. 10 inserted by S.R. No. 155/2019 reg. 6.\n\n\t10 Confidentiality notices\n\nFor the purposes of section 61TJ(2)(a) of the Act, the prescribed form of a confidentiality notice is Form 1 in Schedule 3.\n\nSchedule 1—Prescribed authorities\n\nRegulation 6\n\nAppeal Costs Board\n\nDenominational hospitals listed in Schedule 2 to the **Health Services Act 1988**\n\nDisciplinary Appeals Boards\n\nElectoral Boundaries Commission\n\nFirearms Appeals Committee\n\nFood Safety Council\n\nLand Tax Hardship Relief Board\n\nMedical Panels\n\nMental Health Tribunal\n\nMerit Protection Boards\n\nProfessional Boxing and Combat Sports Board\n\nPublic Records Advisory Council\n\nRacing Victoria within the meaning of the **Racing Act 1958**\n\nRoyal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals\n\nTAFE institutes created under section 3.1.11 of the **Education and Training Reform Act 2006**\n\nVictoria Grants Commission\n\nVictorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal\n\nVictorian Legal Admissions Board\n\nVictorian Legal Services Board\n\nVictorian Multicultural Commission\n\nVictorian Veterans Council\n\nWorkCover Advisory Committee\n\nYooralla Society of Victoria\n\nSch. 2 amended by S.R. No. 7/2025 reg. 4.\n\nSchedule 2—Prescribed persons and bodies\n\nRegulations 8 and 9\n\n1 Auditor-General appointed under section 94A of the **Constitution Act 1975**\n\n2 Chief Commissioner of Police appointed under section 17 of the **Victoria Police Act 2013**\n\n3 Health Complaints Commissioner appointed under section 111 of the **Health Complaints Act 2016**\n\n4 The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission established under section 12 of the **Independent Broad‑based Anti-corruption Commission Act 2011**\n\n5 Ombudsman appointed under section 3 of the **Ombudsman Act 1973**\n\n6 Racing Integrity Commissioner appointed under section 37A of the **Racing Act 1958**\n\n7 Road Safety Camera Commissioner appointed under section 5 of the **Road Safety Camera Commissioner Act 2011**\n\n8 Integrity Oversight Victoria established under section 8 of the **Integrity Oversight Victoria Act 2011**\n\nSch. 3 inserted by S.R. No. 155/2019 reg. 7.\n\nSchedule 3—Forms\n\nSch. 3 Form 1 amended by S.R. No. 7/2025 reg. 5.\n\n**FORM 1**\n\nRegulation 10\n\n**Freedom of Information Act 1982**\n\nConfidentiality Notice\n\nTo: [*insert name of person subject to confidentiality notice*]\n\nAddress: [*insert address details*]\n\n**THIS CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE IS IMPORTANT.  \nPLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY.**\n\n**FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE MAY BE AN OFFENCE.**\n\n**PENALTIES INCLUDING IMPRISONMENT MAY APPLY.**\n\n***1. What is this notice?***\n\nThis confidentiality notice is issued under section 61TJ of the **Freedom of Information Act 1982** in respect of the following restricted matters:\n\n[*specify restricted matter or matters*]\n\nBecause you have been given this confidentiality notice, you are not permitted to disclose the above restricted matters except as described below in the section headed \"*When are you authorised to disclose information?*\".\n\nIf you disclose a restricted matter when you are not permitted to, you can face severe penalties, including up to 12 months in prison or a fine of up to 120 penalty units or both.\n\nYou should also note that additional obligations under sections 52 and 53 of the **Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012** relating to confidentiality of assessable disclosures and people who make assessable disclosures may apply to you.\n\n***2. Why have you been given this notice?***\n\nYou have been given this notice because the Information Commissioner considers that your disclosure of any of the restricted matters described above would be likely to prejudice:\n\n* • an investigation by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (\"IBAC\") or Integrity Oversight Victoria; or\n\n* • the safety or reputation of a person; or\n\n* • the fair trial of a person who has been, or may be, charged with an offence.\n\n***3. When are you authorised to disclose information?***\n\nPlease read this section carefully. You can **only** disclose a restricted matter in the circumstances stated below.\n\nIf a person or an organisation does not appear under \"You **can** disclose this restricted matter:\" or under \"Can you disclose in any other circumstances?\", then you **cannot** disclose the restricted matter to that person or organisation. For example, if \"your spouse or domestic partner\" does not appear under those headings, then you **cannot** disclose the restricted matter to your spouse or domestic partner.\n\n- **Restricted matter:** [*Specify restricted matter or matters*] You **can** disclose this restricted matter: * ✓ to your spouse or domestic partner.* ✓ to your employer or your manager or both.* ✓ to a registered health practitioner for the purpose of seeking advice or support in relation to the investigation in respect of which this notice has been issued.* ✓ to a trade union, if you are a member of that union, for the purpose of seeking advice or support in relation to the investigation in respect of which this notice has been issued. * ✓ to an employee assistance program, for the purpose of seeking advice or support in relation to the investigation in respect of which this notice has been issued. * ✓ to the Victorian WorkCover Authority for the purpose of a workers' compensation claim.* ✓ for the purpose of an application to the Fair Work Commission, including any related proceeding.\n- The Information Commissioner has directed that you **cannot** disclose this restricted matter: * ✗ to your spouse or domestic partner.\n- * ✗ to your employer or your manager.* ✗ to a registered health practitioner.* ✗ to a trade union.* ✗ to an employee assistance program.* ✗ to the Victorian WorkCover Authority for the purpose of a workers' compensation claim.* ✗ for the purpose of an application to the Fair Work Commission, including any related proceeding.\n\n\n[*Repeat table as necessary for any restricted matter that can be disclosed in different circumstances than above.*]\n\n***Can you disclose in any other circumstances?***\n\nYou are **always** permitted to disclose a restricted matter in the following circumstances—\n\n• to the IBAC if the IBAC—\n\n referred the complaint to which the restricted matter relates to the Information Commissioner; and\n\n has withdrawn that referral;\n\n• for the purposes of making a complaint to Integrity Oversight Victoria or the IBAC;\n\n• for the purposes of complying with a witness summons served on you by Integrity Oversight Victoria under the **Integrity Oversight Victoria Act 2011** or by the IBAC under the **Independent Broad-based Anti‑corruption Commission Act 2011**;\n\n• to Victoria Police if—\n\n the Information Commissioner has disclosed information to the Chief Commissioner of Police relating to actual or potential criminal conduct; and\n\n the restricted matter is relevant to an investigation by Victoria Police of the actual or potential criminal conduct;\n\n• if the Information Commissioner directs you or authorises you to disclose a restricted matter;\n\n• if the disclosure is authorised or required by the **Freedom of Information Act 1982**;\n\n• if the disclosure is necessary for you to obtain any information, document or other thing to comply with a witness summons or a confidentiality notice, a notice cancelling a confidentiality notice or an order of the Supreme Court extending a confidentiality notice, including:\n\n• to an interpreter if you do not know enough English to understand the nature of the witness summons, confidentiality notice, notice cancelling the confidentiality notice or order extending the confidentiality notice;\n\n• to a parent, guardian or independent person if you are under the age of 18 years;\n\n• to an independent person, if you are illiterate or have a mental, physical or other impairment that prevents you from understanding the witness summons, confidentiality notice, notice cancelling the confidentiality notice or order extending the confidentiality notice;\n\n• to a legal practitioner for the purposes of obtaining legal advice or representation in relation to an investigation by the Information Commissioner under the **Freedom of Information Act 1982**, or your rights, liabilities, obligations and privileges under:\n\n• the **Freedom of Information Act 1982**;\n\n• the **Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012**;\n\n• the **Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission Act 2011**;\n\n• the **Integrity Oversight Victoria Act 2011**;\n\n• the **Ombudsman Act 1973**;\n\n• the Fair Work Act 2009 of the Commonwealth;\n\n• if you are a legal practitioner, for the purposes of complying with a legal duty of disclosure or a professional obligation arising from your relationship with your client;\n\n• if the restricted matter disclosed is information that has been made public in accordance with the **Freedom of Information Act 1982** or any other Act;\n\n• if the restricted matter disclosed is information that has been published in a report by the Information Commissioner, the Integrity and Oversight Committee or any of the following investigating entities:\n\n• the IBAC;\n\n• Victoria Police;\n\n• the Victorian Ombudsman;\n\n• Integrity Oversight Victoria;\n\n• the Judicial Commission, including an investigating panel appointed by the Judicial Commission;\n\n• the Racing Integrity Commissioner;\n\n• the Chief Municipal Inspector;\n\n• the Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission.\n\n**Your obligations if you make a permitted disclosure**\n\nIf you disclose information about a restricted matter to another person because the disclosure is permitted, you must, when making that disclosure, give that person a copy of this confidentiality notice, and any order extending this confidentiality notice, unless you have a reasonable excuse for not doing so. If you do not have a reasonable excuse, you can face severe penalties, including up to 12 months in prison or a fine of up to 120 penalty units or both.\n\nIn addition, if this confidentiality notice is replaced by a new confidentiality notice or if it is cancelled or extended, you must give a copy of the new confidentiality notice or the notice of cancellation or extension to each person to whom you have made a disclosure, unless you have a reasonable excuse for not doing so. If you do not have a reasonable excuse, you can face severe penalties, including up to 12 months in prison or a fine of up to 120 penalty units or both.\n\n***4. When does this confidentiality notice expire?***\n\nThis confidentiality notice expires on the date when the first of the following events occurs:\n\n• the Information Commissioner cancels this confidentiality notice and issues you with a new one that includes different restricted matters;\n\n• the Information Commissioner cancels this confidentiality notice and issues you with a new one because the Commissioner considers on reasonable grounds that disclosure of a particular restricted matter specified in the notice would no longer have the effect of prejudicing—\n\n• an investigation by the IBAC or Integrity Oversight Victoria; or\n\n• the safety or reputation of a person; or\n\n• the fair trial of a person who has been, or may be, charged with an offence;\n\n• the Information Commissioner cancels this confidentiality notice because the Commissioner considers on reasonable grounds that disclosure of the restricted matter or restricted matters specified in the notice would no longer have the effect of prejudicing—\n\n• an investigation by the IBAC or Integrity Oversight Victoria; or\n\n• the safety or reputation of a person; or\n\n• the fair trial of a person who has been, or may be, charged with an offence;\n\n• unless the Supreme Court has ordered the extension of this confidentiality notice, when the Information Commissioner cancels this confidentiality notice at the conclusion of the investigation;\n\n• if the date on which this confidentiality notice expires is extended by the Supreme Court, the date on which the period of extension expires.\n\n***5. Where can I get more information about this confidentiality notice?***\n\nA copy of the relevant law about confidentiality notices is attached to this confidentiality notice.\n\nYou can also obtain legal advice about this confidentiality notice from a legal practitioner.\n\n[*attach:*\n\n *a copy of sections 61TJ(3) to (7), 61TK and 61TM of the* ***Freedom of Information Act 1982*** *and an explanation of the effect of those provisions*;\n\n *if applicable, a copy of Part 7 of the* ***Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012***.]\n\n[*signature*]\n\n[*name*]\n\n[*title*]\n\n[*date*]\n\n*Delete if not applicable.\n\n═════════════\n\nEndnotes\n\n1 General information\n\nSee [www.legislation.vic.gov.au](http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au) for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.\n\nThe Freedom of Information Regulations 2019, S.R. No. 25/2019 were made on 2 April 2019 by the Governor in Council under section 66 of the **Freedom of Information Act 1982**, No. 9859/1982 and came into operation on 5 April 2019: regulation 3.\n\nThe Freedom of Information Regulations 2019 will sunset 10 years after the day of making on 2 April 2029 (see section 5 of the **Subordinate Legislation Act 1994**).\n\nINTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)\n\nStyle changes\n\nSection 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.\n\nReferences to ILA s. 39B\n\nSidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided regulation, rule or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subregulations, subrules or subclauses the original regulation, rule or clause becomes subregulation, subrule or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression \"(1)\" at the beginning of the original regulation, rule or clause.\n\nInterpretation\n\nAs from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:\n\n• Headings\n\nAll headings included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after  \n1 January 2001 form part of that Statutory Rule. Any heading inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Statutory Rule.  \nThis includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; Orders; Parts into which an Order is divided; clauses; regulations; rules; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms.  \nSee section 36(1A)(2A)(2B).\n\n• Examples, diagrams or notes\n\nAll examples, diagrams or notes included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Statutory Rule. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Statutory Rule. See section 36(3A).\n\n• Punctuation\n\nAll punctuation included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after  \n1 January 2001 forms part of that Statutory Rule. Any punctuation inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Statutory Rule.  \nSee section 36(3B).\n\n• Provision numbers\n\nAll provision numbers included in a Statutory Rule form part of that Statutory Rule, whether inserted in the Statutory Rule before, on or after  \n1 January 2001. Provision numbers include regulation numbers, rule numbers, subregulation numbers, subrule numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).\n\n• Location of \"legislative items\"\n\nA \"legislative item\" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of a Statutory Rule is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.\n\n• Other material\n\nAny explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of a Statutory Rule. See section 36(3)(3D)(3E).\n\n2 Table of Amendments\n\nThis publication incorporates amendments made to the Freedom of Information Regulations 2019 by statutory rules, subordinate instruments and Acts.\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\nFreedom of Information Amendment Regulations 2019, S.R. No. 155/2019\n\n| *Date of Making:* | 17.12.19 |\n| --- | --- |\n| *Date of Commencement:* | 31.12.19: reg. 3 |\n\n\nFreedom of Information Amendment Regulations 2025, S.R. No. 7/2025\n\n| *Date of Making:* | 25.3.25 |\n| --- | --- |\n| *Date of Commencement:* | 25.3.25 |\n\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\n3 Explanatory details\n\n1. Reg. 4(a): S.R. No. 33/2009 as amended by S.R. Nos 112/2012, 131/2012 and 111/2015. [↑](#endnote-ref-1)\n\n2. Reg. 4(b): S.R. No. 112/2012. [↑](#endnote-ref-2)\n\n3. Reg. 4(c): S.R. No. 131/2012. [↑](#endnote-ref-3)\n\n4. Reg. 4(d): S.R. No. 111/2015.\n\n  ——\n\n  **Penalty Units**\n\n  These Regulations provide for penalties by reference to penalty units within the meaning of section 110 of the **Sentencing Act 1991**. The amount of the penalty is to be calculated, in accordance with section 7 of the **Monetary Units Act 2004**, by multiplying the number of penalty units applicable by the value of a penalty unit.\n\n  The value of a penalty unit for the financial year commencing 1 July 2024 is $197.59. The amount of the calculated penalty may be rounded to the nearest dollar.\n\n  The value of a penalty unit for future financial years is to be fixed by the Treasurer under section 5 of the **Monetary Units Act 2004**. The value of a penalty unit for a financial year must be published in the Government Gazette and a Victorian newspaper before 1 June in the preceding financial year. [↑](#endnote-ref-4)","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The regulations remain tightly focused on their original purpose: prescribing authorities for FOI coverage, setting up referral mechanisms for integrity investigations, and establishing procedural forms. The 2019 and 2025 amendments added the confidentiality notice framework and updated prescribed bodies, but these are natural extensions of the core FOI administrative function rather than scope creep."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross-references to other Victorian Acts (Freedom of Information Act 1982, Health Services Act 1988, Racing Act 1958, etc.)","Form 1 contains complex conditional logic with nested exceptions (permitted disclosures vs prohibited disclosures vs 'always permitted' circumstances)","Overlapping obligations with other legislation (Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012, IBAC Act, etc.) referenced throughout Form 1","Penalty provisions requiring calculation via Monetary Units Act 2004","Sunsetting provisions under Subordinate Legislation Act 1994 mentioned in endnotes"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations support Victoria's Freedom of Information Act 1982 by listing which government bodies and offices must follow FOI laws, and setting up rules for keeping certain information secret during investigations.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Lists who must comply with FOI laws**: Schedule 1 names specific bodies (like TAFE institutes, the Mental Health Tribunal, and Racing Victoria) that must handle FOI requests. It also names three specific offices (Director of Public Prosecutions, Public Advocate, and Solicitor-General) that are covered.\n- **Sets up referral pathways**: Schedule 2 lists integrity bodies (like IBAC, the Ombudsman, and the Auditor-General) that the Information Commissioner can send matters to for investigation.\n- **Creates confidentiality notices**: The regulations include a detailed form (Form 1) that the Information Commissioner can use to legally stop people from talking about sensitive information. Breaking this silence can mean up to 12 months in prison or heavy fines.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Anyone working for the listed government bodies who handles FOI requests\n- People involved in investigations by the Information Commissioner who receive a confidentiality notice\n- The integrity bodies listed in Schedule 2 who might receive referrals\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThese regulations make sure the FOI system covers the right organisations and protects sensitive information during investigations into corruption or misconduct. The confidentiality notice rules are particularly serious—they create legal gag orders with criminal penalties for breaches, but also include specific exceptions allowing people to seek legal advice, medical support, or union assistance."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Regulations have been amended since first made. S.R. No. 155/2019 inserted Schedule 3 and Reg 10 to prescribe a confidentiality notice form and related rules; S.R. No. 7/2025 amended Schedule 2 and Form 1. Those amendments add procedural tools (confidentiality notices) and update the lists of prescribed persons/bodies, expanding the instrument's operational mechanics beyond the original lists (see Regs 8–10; Schs 2–3; Form 1)."},"complexity_factors":["Lists of prescribed entities and offices across Schedules 1–2 create many discrete applicability points (Reg 6; Schs 1–2).","Cross‑references to multiple statutes (Freedom of Information Act 1982, IBAC Act, Integrity Oversight Victoria Act, etc.) increase legal linkage complexity (Form 1; Schs 1–2).","Inclusion of a detailed confidentiality notice form that imposes criminal penalties and procedural obligations on recipients (Form 1; Reg 10; references to s61TJ of the Act).","Significant administrative discretion vested in the Information Commissioner to issue, cancel or extend notices and to direct authorised disclosures (Form 1, parts 2–4).","Amendments incorporated from two statutory rules (S.R. No. 155/2019 and S.R. No. 7/2025) mean readers must track consolidated and historical changes.","Procedural linkage: prescribed persons/bodies serve different roles for referral and investigation under separate FOI provisions (Regs 8–9 referencing Sch 2).","Sunset timing noted in endnotes (10‑year sunsetting) adds a temporal limit to instrument validity (Endnotes)."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does:** These Regulations declare which bodies and offices count as prescribed authorities under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, specify which persons and bodies the Information Commissioner may refer or investigate, and set the official confidentiality‑notice form and related disclosure rules. \n\n**Who it affects and why it matters:** It applies to the listed organisations, anyone served with a confidentiality notice, and the Information Commissioner. Mechanically it fixes who must follow FOI processes, who may lawfully receive restricted information, and the compliance duties and penalties for recipients (see Form 1)."},"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the limited content available, there is no evidence of scope change from the original intent. The regulations appear to remain a standard subordinate instrument supporting the Freedom of Information Act. No amendments or significant expansions could be identified from the metadata provided."},"complexity_factors":["Insufficient legislative content provided to assess full complexity — only metadata and version history were supplied","FOI frameworks generally involve layered interactions between primary legislation (the Act) and subordinate regulations, adding moderate complexity","Regulations of this type typically reference and depend upon the parent Act, requiring readers to consult multiple documents","Procedural rules around government access can involve nuanced exemptions and administrative steps"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations set out the technical and procedural rules that make the Freedom of Information framework workable in practice — e.g., fees, timeframes, forms and processes that flesh out the primary FOI law. \n\nThey matter to ordinary people making requests, to government agencies and officials who must respond, and to accountability more broadly because they determine how and how quickly information is released."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/freedom-of-information-regulations-2019","history":"/api/acts/freedom-of-information-regulations-2019/history","analysis":"/api/acts/freedom-of-information-regulations-2019/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/freedom-of-information-regulations-2019/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/freedom-of-information-regulations-2019/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/freedom-of-information-regulations-2019/documents"}}