Freedom of Information

Since 1982, the Freedom of Information Act has given people the right to obtain documents held, for example, by State Ministers, State Government departments and statutory authorities. The legislation applied to local councils from 1994.

The Act gives people the right to request documents relating to their personal affairs and any activities of Council. It is a formal process to retrieve documents that won’t usually be released as part of a general inquiry.

A person may request documents created by an agency or documents supplied to it by another agency. For more information on what City of Monash makes available, see our Freedom of Information Statement.

Freedom of Information - Part II Statement(PDF, 340KB)

Key tips for FOI requests

The Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC) has a helpful guide on when and how best to make a Freedom of Information Request. See the video below:

NICE tips for making your FOI request from OVIC on Vimeo.

How to Request Access

Step 1.Check Document Availability

The documents you’re after may already be publicly available. To check what we have available, read the Freedom of Information - Part II Statement(PDF, 340KB)

If the documents you require are not on this list, please submit an FOI request by following these steps.

Step 2.Check Document Availability

Applications should be submitted using the form below, including adding payment details for the application fee:

Freedom of Information - Request for Access to Documents(PDF, 397KB)

Submit to the following place:

  • In person: 293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley OR  3 Atherton Road, Oakleigh
  • Post: Freedom of Information Officer, Monash Council, PO Box 1 Glen Waverley 3150

Any questions regarding Freedom of Information should be referred to Governance, at FOIandPrivacy@monash.vic.gov.au or call customer service on 9518 3555.

Step 3.Application Assessment and Search

Once your request is received, an authorised Council officer will be in touch to confirm our understanding and ask for additional information if necessary.

When a clear agreement of the request has occurred, under the FOI Act council has 30 days to notify you of the decision made in relation to access of the document(s) or the personal information amendment.

The time to notify you about a decision on your request may be extended if:

  • a third party consultation is required
  • an access charges deposit is required

Step 4.Outcome

You will be notified in writing of the decision on access to your requested documents(s). 

If you are not granted access to your requested document(s) you will be provided reasons.

Step 5.Review of a decision

If you are dissatisfied with the decision made by Council, you may apply for a review by the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC).

A review must be made in writing within 28 days of Council's decision. Details of how to apply are available at Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner - Request a Review.

Contact Us

Phone

9518 3555

Email

FOIandPrivacy@monash.vic.gov.au

Location

Civic Centre
293 Springvale Road
Glen Waverley
3150
View Map

Costs

Application Fee

$32.66 non-refundable fee.

Exceptions

If you are experiencing financial hardship, you may request a waiver or reduction of the Application Fee. You must attach evidence of financial hardship to the application form (for example, a pensioners or health care concession card).

Additional Costs – Access Charges

  • $24.495 search fee per hour
  • $0.20 photocopying per A4 page
  • $6.10 supervised inspection per 15 minutes

Where it is anticipated that costs will exceed $50, you will be advised and requested to submit a deposit, and asked if you wish to continue with the request.

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