How do I access information?
On this page
- Relevant legislation
- Access to 'non-personal' information
- Charges under the RTI Act
- Access to or amendment of your 'personal information'
- How long will it take to process an information access or amendment application?
- Applications made on behalf of a person under the age of 18 years
- Further information
Relevant legislation
Under the Right to Information reforms, Southbank Institute of Technology is encouraged to release information administratively wherever possible so that applying for information under the Right to Information Act 2009 (the RTI Act) becomes a last resort. Members of the public can apply to access and amend their own personal information under the Information Privacy Act 2009 (the IP Act).
Access to non-personal information
Southbank Institute of Technology provides the following options for the general public to access non-personal information:
If you have been unable to find the information you are seeking on our Publication Scheme or Disclosure Log, please contact Southbank Institute of Technology to discuss whether the information is able to be released under our Administrative Access Policy. In the first instance, please contact:
Business Process Manager
RTI Officer
Strategy & Governance
LMB 14 South Brisbane Q 4101
Telephone: (07) 3244 6522
Facsimile: (07) 3244 6588
Email: hys.sbnk@southbank.edu.au
If SBIT can not or will not supply the non-personal information you require you can lodge a formal request for that information under the Right to Information Act 2009.
Formal applications under the RTI Act must be made on the approved form. Please note an application fee is applicable. Applicants can download the form here and send it to the above address (mail, faxsimile or email) depending on the method of payment.
Payment can be made by:
- Cheque or money order, made out to Southbank Institute of Technology
- Credit card (using this downloadable form)
- Cash only accepted at our Student Services Centre (NOT BY MAIL)
All applications under the RTI Act must:
- be in the approved form and accompanied by the application fee;
- give sufficient information concerning the documents to enable a responsible officer of SBIT to identify the documents;
- state an address to which notices under the RTI Act may be sent;
- (if you are also seeking access to your personal information) provide evidence of your identity within ten (10) business days; and
- (if you are an agent applying on behalf of someone else) provide evidence of your identity and evidence of your authorisation (eg. court order) within ten (10) business days.
Charges under the RTI Act
Applications under the RTI Act (whether non-personal or coupled with a request for personal information) incur the following charges:
- $38.00 application fee;
- $23.20 per hour processing charge for applications taking longer than 5 hours to process; and
- $0.20 per A4 page access charges.
Access to or amendment of your ‘personal information’
"Personal information" is information or an opinion, including information or an opinion forming part of a database, whether true or not, and whether recorded in a material form or not, about an individual whose identity is apparent, or can reasonably be ascertained, from the information or opinion.
The Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld) (IP Act) provides safeguards for the handling of personal information in the public sector and allows access to and amendment of that personal information.
Southbank Institute securely manages four categories of personal information
- Student enrolment records
- Educational records
- Financial records
- Employment record
If you wish to access documents held by SBIT containing your personal information or if you wish to amend the personal information that SBIT holds about you, we recommend you apply under the IP Act.
To access or amend your ‘personal information’ you will need to lodge a request by downloading and completing this form and sending it to:
Performance Improvement & Review Officer
Business Process Unit
Strategy & Governance
LMB 14 South Brisbane Q 4101
Telephone: (07) 3244 6055
Facsimile: (07) 3244 6588
Email: hys.sbnk@southbank.edu.au
There are no application fees or processing charges if you apply for your personal information under the IP Act. If you apply under the RTI Act - there are cost implications. Refer to ‘non-personal’ information.
Please note that current students already have access to change their personal information through "Student Self Service"
If you have had access to a document that contains your personal information that is inaccurate, incomplete, out-of-date or misleading, please ensure that your application specifies:
- what particulars you wish amended
- why you believe the information to be incomplete, incorrect, out-of-date or misleading
- the amendments you wish to make
- your address and telephone number so you can be advised of the result of your application.
How long will it take to process an information access or amendment application?
You will receive acknowledgement of receipt of your request within five (5) business days.
Southbank Institute of Technology is required to respond to your application within 25 business days of receipt. If consultation with another person or entity is required under the RTI Act or IP Act, another ten (10) business days is permitted to process the application. You will be advised if consultation is necessary.
Also, if the decision-maker needs more time to consider your application for other reasons, you will be notified and your permission will be requested to extend the processing period.
Applications made on behalf of person under the age of 18 years
Section 25 of the RTI Act and section 45 of the IP Act provides that a parent or guardian of a child may make an application on behalf of the child for access to documents. In making an application pursuant under the RTI or IP Act the parent or guardian must:
- specify in writing that the application is made on behalf of the child;
- state his/her name and the names of the child or children concerned; and
- provide documents proving his or her identity and evidence of their relationship to the child or children concerned.
Further information
The RTI and IP Acts are available from the Government Printing Office (Goprint) in Brisbane. More information is available on the Queensland Government Right to Information website. In addition, you can contact SBIT’s Business Process Unit by telephoning 07 3244 6055.
Last updated 9 August, 2010