2 Abbreviation key
A = Act NI = Notifiable instrument
AF = Approved form o = order
am = amended om = omitted/repealed
amdt = amendment ord = ordinance
AR = Assembly resolution orig = original
ch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph
CN = Commencement notice pres = present
def = definition prev = previous
DI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously
dict = dictionary pt = part
disallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule
Assembly reloc = relocated
div = division renum = renumbered
exp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No
Gaz = gazette RI = reissue
hdg = heading s = section/subsection
IA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule
ins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision
LA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law
LR = legislation register sub = substituted
LRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced
mod = modified/modification or to be expired
Legislation history 3
3 Legislation history
Freedom of Information Act 2016 A2016-55
notified LR 26 August 2016
s 1, s 2 commenced 26 August 2016 (LA s 75 (1))
remainder commenced 1 January 2018 (s 2 as am by A2017-14 s 19)
as amended by
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2017
(No 2) A2017-14 pt 7
notified LR 17 May 2017
s 1, s 2 commenced 17 May 2017 (LA s 75 (1))
ss 20-23 commenced 1 January 2018 (s 2 (3) and see A2016-55
s 2 (as am by A2017-14 s 19))
pt 7 remainder commenced 24 May 2017 (s 2 (1))
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2017
(No 3) A2017-38 pt 11
notified LR 9 November 2017
s 1, s 2 commenced 9 November 2017 (LA s 75 (1))
pt 11 commenced 1 January 2018 (s 2 (3) (a) and see A2016-55
s 2 (as am by A2017-14 s 19))
Statute Law Amendment Act 2018 A2018-42 sch 1 pt 1.1
notified LR 8 November 2018
s 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 1 July 2018 (LA s 75 (2))
sch 1 pt 1.1 commenced 22 November 2018 (s 2 (1))
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2019
A2019-17 pt 5
notified LR 14 June 2019
s 1, s 2 commenced 14 June 2019 (LA s 75 (1))
pt 5 commenced 21 June 2019 (s 2)
Integrity Commission Act 2018 A2018-52 sch 1 pt 1.10 (as am by
A2019-18 s 4)
notified LR 11 December 2018
s 1, s 2 commenced 11 December 2018 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.10 commenced 1 July 2019 (s 2 (1) as am by A2019-18 s 4)
3 Legislation history
Integrity Commission Amendment Act 2019 A2019-18 s 4
notified LR 14 June 2019
s 1, s 2 commenced 14 June 2019 (LA s 75 (1))
s 4 commenced 1 July 2019 (s 2 (1))
Note This Act only amends the Integrity Commission Act 2018
A2018-52.
Freedom of Information Amendment Act 2019 A2019-37
notified LR 10 October 2019
s 1, s 2 commenced 10 October 2019 (LA s 75 (1))
remainder commenced 15 October 2019 (s 2 and CN2019-16)
Public Interest Disclosure Amendment Act 2020 A2020-46 sch 1
pt 1.1
notified LR 4 September 2020
s 1, s 2 commenced 4 September 2020 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.1 commenced 4 March 2021 (s 2 and LA s 79)
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2021
(No 2) A2021-33 pt 10
notified LR 10 December 2021
s 1, s 2 commenced 10 December 2021 (LA s 75 (1))
pt 10 commenced 1 January 2022 (s 2 (4) (a))
Freedom of Information Amendment Act 2023 A2023-16
notified LR 17 May 2023
s 1, s 2 commenced 17 May 2023 (LA s 75 (1))
remainder commenced 24 May 2023 (s 2)
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2023
(No 2) A2023-42 sch 1 pt 1.1
notified LR 8 November 2023
s 1, s 2 commenced 8 November 2023 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.1 commenced 9 November 2023 (s 2)
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2023
(No 3) A2023-57 pt 9
notified LR 11 December 2023
s 1, s 2 commenced 11 December 2023 (LA s 75 (1))
pt 9 commenced 12 December 2023 (s 2 (1))
Legislation history 3
Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2024 A2024-7 s 134
notified LR 28 March 2024
s 1, s 2 commenced 28 March 2024 (LA s 75 (1))
s 134 commenced 28 September 2024 (s 2 (2) and LA s 79)
Monitoring of Places of Detention Legislation Amendment Act 2024
A2024-41 sch 1 pt 1.4
notified LR 17 September 2024
s 1, s 2 commenced 17 September 2024 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.4 commenced 18 September 2024 (s 2 (1))
Integrity Legislation Amendment Act 2024 A2024-47 pt 2
notified LR 19 September 2024
s 1, s 2 commenced 19 September 2024 (LA s 75 (1))
pt 2 commenced 26 September 2024 (s 2 (1))
Statute Law Amendment Act 2025 A2025-29 sch 4 pt 4.79
notified LR 6 November 2025
s 1, s 2 commenced 6 November 2025 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 4 pt 4.79 commenced 16 December 2025 (s 2 (6))
Commencement
s 2 am A2017-14 s 19
om LA s 89 (4)
Relationship with Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2024
s 11A ins A2024-7 s 134
Meaning of agency
s 15 am A2017-38 s 30
Meaning of contrary to the public interest information
s 16 sub A2023-16 s 4
am A2024-47 s 4, s 5
Public interest test
s 17 am A2023-16 s 5
Information officers—appointment
s 18 am A2025-29 amdt 4.79
Information officers—functions
s 19 am A2017-38 s 31; A2019-17 ss 12-14; pars renum R4 LA
What is open access information?
s 23 am A2017-14 s 20, s 21; A2019-37 s 4, s 5; A2021-33 s 18
Open access information—deletion of contrary to the public interest
s 26 am A2023-16 s 6
Requirement for disclosure log
s 28 am A2019-37 s 6; A2023-16 s 7
Making access application
s 30 am A2025-29 amdt 4.79
Application not in accordance with requirements
s 31 hdg sub A2019-37 s 7
s 31 am A2019-37 s 8
Notice of date application received
s 32 am A2017-38 s 32
Deciding access—identifying information within scope of application
s 34 am A2019-37 s 9, s 10; A2023-16 s 8
Deciding access—relevant third parties
s 38 am A2023-16 s 9
Amendment history 4
Deciding access—decision not made in time taken to be refusal to give
access
s 39 am A2019-37 s 11, s 12; ss renum R6 LA; A2023-16 s 10,
s 11
Deciding access—time to decide
s 40 am A2019-37 s 13; A2023-16 ss 12-14; pars renum R9 LA
Deciding access—respondent may ask for additional time to decide
s 41 am A2019-17 s 15, s 16; A2019-37 s 14, s 15; A2023-16 s 15
Deciding access—extension of time given by ombudsman
s 42 sub A2019-37 s 16
am A2023-16 s 16, s 17
Refusing to deal with application—general
s 43 am A2023-16 s 18
Refusing to deal with application—information already available to applicant
s 45 am A2019-37 s 17; pars renum R6 LA; A2023-16 s 19
Giving access—form of access
s 47 am A2023-16 s 20
Giving access—deferral of access
s 49 sub A2019-37 s 18
Transfer of access applications
s 57 am A2017-38 s 32
Access applications if two or more agencies or Ministers hold relevant
s 58 am A2017-38 s 32; A2019-37 s 19, s 20
Requesting amendment of personal information
s 59 am A2025-29 amdt 4.79
Ombudsman—functions
s 64 am A2017-38 s 33; A2018-42 amdt 1.1
Open access information declarations
s 65 am A2017-14 s 22; ss renum R1 LA; A2025-29 amdt 4.79
Guidelines for Act
s 66 am A2025-29 amdt 4.79
Access to information for ombudsman review
s 68 sub A2023-57 s 21
FOI reviewable decision notices and reviewable decision notices
s 71 am A2025-29 amdt 4.79
Ombudsman review of certain decisions
s 73 am A2025-29 amdt 4.79
Applications for ombudsman review
s 74 am A2019-37 s 21; pars renum R6 LA; A2023-16 s 21; pars
renum R9 LA; A2025-29 amdt 4.79
Ombudsman review—extension of time when decision not made in time
s 78 am A2019-37 s 22
Informal resolution
s 80A ins A2019-37 s 23
Mediation for applications
s 81 am A2017-14 s 23; A2019-37 s 24
Ombudsman review
s 82 am A2019-37 s 25, s 26; ss renum R6 LA; A2023-16 s 22,
s 23; pars renum R9 LA
Review of decisions by ACAT
s 84 am A2019-37 s 27; A2025-29 amdt 4.79
Preventing disclosure of information
s 91 om A2017-38 s 34
Annual statements by Chief Minister
s 95 am A2025-29 amdt 4.79
Determination of fees
s 104 am A2025-29 amdt 4.79
Fee estimate
s 106 sub A2019-37 s 28
Approved forms
s 108 am A2025-29 amdt 4.79
Regulation-making power
s 109 am A2025-29 amdt 4.79
Review of Act
s 110 exp 1 January 2025 (s 110 (4))
Repeals and consequential amendments
pt 11 hdg om LA s 89 (3)
Legislation repealed
s 111 om LA s 89 (3)
Legislation amended—sch 4
s 112 om LA s 89 (3)
Amendment history 4
Transitional
pt 20 hdg exp 1 January 2019 (s 203)
Definitions—pt 20
s 200 exp 1 January 2019 (s 203)
def commencement day exp 1 January 2019 (s 203)
def repealed FOI Act exp 1 January 2019 (s 203)
Requests made under repealed FOI Act before commencement day
s 201 exp 1 January 2019 (s 203)
Transitional regulations
s 202 exp 1 January 2019 (s 203)
Expiry—pt 20
s 203 exp 1 January 2019 (s 203)
Information disclosure of which is taken to be contrary to the public interest
sch 1 am A2023-16 s 24
Information in possession of a court or tribunal
sch 1 s 1.1A ins A2017-38 s 35
Information related to integrity commission matters
sch 1 s 1.1B ins A2018-52 amdt 1.74
sub A2024-47 s 6
Information disclosure of which is prohibited under law
sch 1 s 1.3 am A2017-38 s 36; A2019-17 s 17
Identities of people making disclosures
sch 1 s 1.9 am A2017-38 s 37; A2020-46 amdt 1.1
Information in possession of ombudsman
sch 1 s 1.12 am A2017-38 s 38
Information in possession of custodial inspector
sch 1 s 1.15 ins A2023-16 s 25
sub A2024-41 amdt 1.17
Information in the possession of the ACT national preventive mechanism
sch 1 s 1.16 ins A2024-41 amdt 1.17
Factors favouring nondisclosure in the public interest
sch 2 s 2.2 am A2018-52 amdt 1.75
Reviewable decisions
sch 3 am A2023-16 s 26, s 27; items renum R9 LA
Consequential amendments
sch 4 om LA s 89 (3)
dict am A2018-52 amdt 1.76; A2019-37 s 29
def clarification request ins A2019-37 s 30
def policy document ins A2023-16 s 28
def principal officer am A2017-38 s 39; pars renum R1 LA;
A2023-42 amdt 1.1
def integrity commission inspector ins A2018-52 amdt 1.77
Earlier republications 5
5 Earlier republications
Some earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to
the publication order.
Since 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in
electronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised
republications have also been published in printed format. These republications are
marked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an
authorised republication are identical.
No and date
Effective Last
amendment
made by
for
1 Jan 2018
1 Jan 2018–
21 Nov 2018
A2017-38 new Act and
amendments by
A2017-14 and
A2017-38
22 Nov 2018
22 Nov 2018–
1 Jan 2019
A2018-42 amendments by
A2018-42
2 Jan 2019
2 Jan 2019–
A2018-42 expiry of
transitional
provisions (pt 20)
21 June 2019–
A2019-17 amendments by
A2019-17
1 July 2019–
14 Oct 2019
A2019-18 amendments by
A2018-52 as
amended by
A2019-18
15 Oct 2019
15 Oct 2019–
3 Mar 2021
A2019-37 amendments by
A2019-37
4 Mar 2021
4 Mar 2021–
31 Dec 2021
A2020-46 amendments by
A2020-46
1 Jan 2022
1 Jan 2022–
A2021-33 amendments by
A2021-33
24 May 2023–
8 Nov 2023
A2023-16 amendments by
A2023-16
6 Expired transitional or validating provisions
No and date
Effective Last
amendment
made by
for
9 Nov 2023
9 Nov 2023–
11 Dec 2023
A2023-42 amendments by
A2023-42
12 Dec 2023
12 Dec 2023–
17 Sept 2024
A2023-57 amendments by
A2023-57
18 Sept 2024
18 Sept 2024–
25 Sept 2024
A2024-41 amendments by
A2024-41
26 Sept 2024
26 Sept 2024–
27 Sept 2024
A2024-47 amendments by
A2024-47
28 Sept 2024
28 Sept 2024–
1 Jan 2025
A2024-47 amendments by
A2024-7
2 Jan 2025
2 Jan 2025–
15 Dec 2025
A2024-47 expiry of provision
(s 110)
6 Expired transitional or validating provisions
This Act may be affected by transitional or validating provisions that have expired.
The expiry does not affect any continuing operation of the provisions (see
Legislation Act 2001, s 88 (1)).
Expired provisions are removed from the republished law when the expiry takes
effect and are listed in the amendment history using the abbreviation ‘exp’ followed
by the date of the expiry.
To find the expired provisions see the version of this Act before the expiry took
effect. The ACT legislation register has point-in-time versions of this Act.
Section 2 - Freedom of Information Act 2016 - Abbreviation key | Zoe