Under the provisions of Freedom of Information legislation, individuals may seek access to a range of University records, including records created or held by University staff. Under the Act nearly all records, notes, correspondence, diaries, reports and files, both print and electronic, are available to third parties. While there are a number of exemptions, they are very limited, and do not apply to most records created by the University and University staff or received by the University. Marking a record as Confidential will not prevent access except in very limited circumstances. Electronic records created or received by University staff on University computers are normally discoverable and recoverable, even if deleted by an individual.

All staff of the University, or persons or organisations providing information and documents to the University, should proceed on the basis that all records created or held are accessible under the Freedom of Information legislation. Consequently all records should comply with legislation and policies relating to intellectual property, copyright and moral rights and be free of comments or judgements which may be held to be defamatory, in poor taste or show a lack of courtesy or respect for colleagues or other persons.

All staff of the University have responsibilities and obligations to retain and organise records in accordance with the University’s records management policy, which must meet the requirements of the Territory Records Act 2002 (ACT). A copy of the Act is available online on the ACT Legislation Register.

Persons requiring access to University records should first discuss their needs with the Director of the Audit and Governance Unit as the University has a policy of open access (subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)).

A copy of the Freedom of Information Act 1989 (ACT) is available online on the ACT Legislation Register. 

Contact: legal@canberra.edu.au