Under the GIPA Act, information is available to the public in four main ways:

1. open access information
2. proactive release
3. informal release 
4. access applications.

1.    Open access information

Under the GIPA Act, the Audit Office is required to make certain information, known as ‘open access’ information available to the public on its website. This information includes:

• a copy of the Information Guide
• information about the Audit Office contained in any document tabled in parliament – including the Auditor-General's Reports to Parliament and reports by the Public Accounts Committee
• our current policy documents 
• our disclosure log (a record containing details of government information released under the formal access provisions of the GIPA Act) 
• our register of government contracts
• a record of the open access information (if any) that the Audit Office does not make publicly available, available on our disclosure log page. 

2.    Proactive release of information

In addition to the information the Audit Office is required to release, we also proactively release information we hold that is considered in the public interest for release, but is not required by the GIPA Act to be disclosed. Our current proactive release program includes:

• ongoing consideration of information produced, such as new policies, procedures, strategies and frameworks that may be of public interest
• annual review of our proactive release program. 

Any information identified for public release will be published on our website.

3.    Make an informal request

The Audit Office welcomes requests for government information from the public. Requests should be addressed to the Right to Information Officer.

Requests can be made using the following methods: 

•    by email – governance@audit.nsw.gov.au 
•    in writing – Right to Information Officer, Audit Office of New South Wales, GPO Box 12, Sydney NSW 2001.

You can request information held by the Audit Office that is not available on this website and we will try to deal with requests informally with no charge – with the exception of excluded information.

4.    Make a formal access application

If the information you are seeking is not available on our website and is not otherwise routinely provided by the Audit Office on request, you may formally apply for access to the information.

There are a number of requirements for formal access applications. The application must be:

• submitted in writing with the Audit Office
• clearly indicate that it is an access application made under the GIPA Act
• be accompanied by a fee of $30
• state the name of the applicant and a postal or email address as the address for correspondence
• include such information as is reasonably necessary to enable the government information applied for to be identified.

If you wish to make a formal access application, please use the GIPA Act Access Application Form.

You are encouraged to contact the Right to Information Officer who will provide you with assistance and guidance throughout the process. 

Depending on the information sought, additional charges may be applied. Should this be likely, the Right to Information Officer will discuss this with you as your matter progresses.