Administrative access policy

To outline the obligations of the Office of the Health Ombudsman (OHO) in relation to the administrative release of information.

This policy applies to all employees of the OHO, including temporary and contract employees.

• Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld)
• Right to Information Act 2009 (Qld)
• Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld)

Policy 1

Since the commencement of the RTI and IP Acts and the emphasis on releasing information both proactively and administratively as a matter of course, the OHO has established an administrative access policy to reduce the instances where individuals are required to make a formal application under the RTI Act or the IP Act to access information.

Policy 2

The OHO acknowledges the right of the public to have access to public records, the right of an individual to access their personal information held by the OHO, and an individual’s right not to have their privacy, family, home or correspondence unlawfully or arbitrarily interfered with (Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld), s 25.).

Policy 3

An administrative process for releasing information is distinct from other legislative processes like those under the RTI Act or the IP Act.

Generally, administrative access releases information which is non-sensitive in the hands of the individual it is provided to. Although, sensitive information may be released in some cases under administrative access. The Senior Release of Information Officer, who considers releasing the information, must take into account relevant factors, such as, who is requesting the information, when assessing whether the information should be released or whether the information may be a breach of another individuals privacy.

Policy 4

Releasing information administratively offers reduced waiting times to access information and increases the transparency of government information. Administrative release may also reduce the volume of formal access applications made under the RTI Act or IP Acts.

The Health Ombudsman, Executive Directors and Directors are responsible for disseminating this policy to staff in their division.

Managers and team leaders have a responsibility to support the use of this policy and ensure that staff releasing information under this policy have the required level of training and knowledge.

The Senior Release of Information Officer has primary responsibility of administrative access requests under this policy.

All staff must ensure that they understand and comply with the requirements of this policy.

Requests for administrative access to information must be in writing and can be made by email or post. Please ensure the request is addressed to the Senior Release of Information Officer. The requests should include the following information:

• Clearly identify which documents are being sought, including an OHO case reference if available
• Evidence of identity. The most common method of providing evidence of identity is by way of a certified copy. A copy of the evidence of identity document must be certified as a correct copy of the original by a ‘qualified witness’ which means a Justice of the Peace, lawyer, Commissioner for Declarations or notary public.

Valid forms of identify include:

• a passport
• a copy of a birth certificate or extract
• a drivers licence
• a statutory declaration from an individual who has known the person for at least one year
• for a prisoner only:
  • a copy of a prisoner’s identity card that is certified by a Corrective Services officer. Requests to access information administratively need to be sent by:
    Email: rti@oho.qld.gov.au
    Post: Senior Release of Information Officer
    Office of the Health Ombudsman
    PO Box 13281 George Street
    Brisbane Qld 4003

Administrative release
The release of information in response to a request other than by application under the RTI or IP Act or other legislative process.

Personal information
Information or opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable, whether the information or opinion is true or not; and whether the information or opinion is recorded in material form or not.

RTI/IP Acts
The RTI Act and IP Act require government agencies to make information available to the public unless there is a good reason not to. Government information should, where possible, be given through informal means like an agency's website, publication scheme, or through administrative release.