How to access information held by DPC

There are three ways to find information held by the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC).

DPC publishes a large volume of material on this website. We try to release as much government information as possible, either through this website or in another appropriate way, and free of charge or at the lowest reasonable cost. 

Under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 the GIPA Act, certain information is required by law to be available on this website, free of charge.  This is called "open access information" and includes:

You should check the open access information at the links above to see if the information you are looking for is already available.

In addition to the “open access information” which the department is required by law to make available, the department also proactively releases a large volume of other information. Our agency information guide will give you some guidance about the other kinds of information the department holds and releases publicly.

If you cannot find the information you are looking for on this website, you can ask us whether the information has already been released by the department proactively in some other form (for example, in printed form).

You can contact us on telephone (02) 9228 5871 to ask if the information you are after has been released by the department either on this website or in another form. Some publications may only be available on the payment of a fee, but we will let you know if that is the case.

If the information you are after has not already been published by the department, but is information which raises no particular concerns in terms of possible public interest reasons why it should be kept confidential, then DPC may be able to release it to you on request without the formalities of having to make a formal application.

If you think this applies to the information you are after you can contact us on telephone (02) 9228 5871 to make an informal request. We may ask that you provide details of your request in writing.

Generally, we try to release information we hold without the need for you to make a formal access application, unless there are good reasons to require one.

Under the GIPA Act, however, government agencies are not required to release information without an access application. The department reserves the right to require you to lodge an access application, particularly if there may be significant public interest considerations that need to be taken into account in deciding whether the information can be released or if you request a large volume of information or if it would otherwise take the department a significant amount of time to consider your request.

If the information you are seeking is not available on this website and is not otherwise routinely provided by the department on request, then you have a right to formally apply for access to specific information.

You can make a formal application by downloading and completing the government information access form (PDF, 330 KB) and sending it to us at the following address:

Coordinator (Public Access to Government Information)
Legal Branch
Department of Premier and Cabinet
GPO Box 5341
Sydney NSW 2001

Tel. (02) 9228 5871

The Act says that we are only able to accept access applications that:

  1. Are in writing and sent to us at the address above;
  2. Clearly state you are requesting information under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW);
  3. Enclose the $30 application fee;
  4. Have a return postal address as the address for correspondence; and
  5. Include as much specific information as necessary to enable us to identify the information you are asking for.

If your application does not include these five things, it will be invalid and will not be processed. If that happens, however, we will let you know and we will help you, if possible, by explaining how you can make a valid application.

Otherwise we will write acknowledging receipt of a valid access application within 5 working days, and will deal with your application within 20 working days (subject to any extension allowed for under the Act). If any extension of time is required to deal with your application, we will let you know in writing.

Application fees and processing charges

The application fee for making an access application is $30. Processing charges can also be imposed at the rate of $30 per hour. In some circumstances an advance deposit can be required. We will let you know in writing if that applies to your application.

Certain discounts may apply, including on financial hardship and public interest grounds – for more details see the Information and Privacy Commission's Resources for the public.