The Right to Information Act 2009 (the RTI Act) gives you a right to apply for access to documents held by government agencies and Ministers.

QLeave is committed to providing the public access to information about the services we provide, our priorities, our policies and more.

QLeave has a publication scheme that enables the proactive release of information to stakeholders and includes information that we publish on a regular basis, as well as information that has been released under Right to Information legislation.

Right to Information applications can be made on the Queensland Government Right to Information and Information Privacy Access Application form (see below). The application must be:

• In writing. The application may, but need not be, in the approved form.
• Be accompanied by the application fee
• Give sufficient information concerning the information and/or document requested to enable the responsible officer of the agency or the Minister to identify the information/document and
• State an address to which notices under the Act may be sent to the applicant.
• For an application for access to a document containing personal information of the applicant, be accompanied by:

  (i) evidence of identity for the applicant; and

  (ii) if an agent is acting for the applicant - evidence of the agent’s authorisation.

Click here to open the Right to Information and Information Privacy Application form.

Applications should be sent to:
Post: QLeave
PO Box 348
Archerfield BC QLD 4108
Email: privacyandRTI@qleave.qld.gov.au

Charges payable for processing and accessing a non-personal document are:

• An application fee is $57.65 applies
• Processing charges are $8.95 per fifteen minutes spent working on the application (if QLeave spends less than five hours - no charge).
• time spent in searching or retrieving a document, or making or doing things related to making a decision on an application for access - 8.15 fee units for each 15 minutes or part thereof
• A4 size photocopies (black and white) - 0.25 fee units for each page (anticipated changes to the RTI Regulation may impact fee calculation by 1 July 2025).
• other forms of access – an amount that is not more than the actual cost incurred by the Authority in giving access to the document.

A charge is not payable if the total amount of time spent processing your application is 5 hours or less.

What is a Charges Estimate Notice?

If it appears that processing your non-personal Right to Information application will take more than five hours, you will receive a Charges Estimate Notice (CEN).

This notice outlines the estimated processing charge and informs you of your rights regarding the charge.

Under the updated RTI Act (effective 1 July 2025), the processing period for your application will begin once a valid application is received. The initial period is 25 business days, but this may be extended for various reasons, including:

• If a CEN is issued
• If third-party consultation is required
• If you provide only a postal address (an additional 5 business days will be added)

A CEN can now be issued at any time during the processing period.

You will have 20 business days to respond in writing to advise the Authority that you:

• Agree to pay the charge
• Narrow the scope of your application
• Withdraw your application
• Contend that the charge has been wrongly assessed or should not be imposed, providing reasons

If you do not respond within 20 business days, your application will be deemed withdrawn.

Waiver of Charges

A waiver of charges on grounds of financial hardship is available to individuals and non-profit organisations able to establish, on the basis of documentary evidence that they are in financial hardship.

Individuals
The criteria prescribed for determining whether individuals are in financial hardship is whether they are a holder of a concession card. “Concession card” is defined to mean a health care card or pensioner concession card issued under the Social Security Act (Cth) or a pensions concession card issued under the Veteran’s Entitlements Act 1986 (Cth).

A certified copy of your concession card (both sides) is required. If you lodge your application in person, the original concession card must be presented. An officer will take a photocopy of the card and note that the copy sighted is a copy of the original card.

If an application for waiver is posted in the mail, a certified copy of the applicant’s concession card must be enclosed. The copy may be certified by a Commissioner for Declarations, Justice of the Peace or solicitor.

Non-profit organisations
“Non-profit organisation” means an organisation that is not carried on for the profit or gain of its individual members. For example, charities, churches, clubs, environmental protection agencies.

The criteria for establishing financial hardship include:

• the nature and size of the organisation’s funding base
• the amount of the organisation’s liquid funds

Documentary evidence is required to show that the organisation is not carried on for the profit or gain of its individual members and proof that the organisation is in financial hardship.

When will the application be processed?

QLeave will acknowledge your application within 10 business days. A decision will be made within 25 business days, plus any additional time added for CENs, consultations, or postal-only contact.

What about consultation?

If releasing documents may affect a third party, QLeave may consult with them. Their views will be considered, but the final decision rests with QLeave. Documents will not be released until the third party’s review rights have expired or been resolved.

What happens when access is granted?

You will receive written notice and access to the documents in a suitable format (e.g., copies, inspection, audio/video). If copies cannot be provided, alternative arrangements will be discussed.

What if I am refused access?

You will receive written reasons for the refusal and information about your appeal rights.

Internal Review (Optional)

You may request an internal review within 20 business days of the decision. The review will be conducted by someone no less senior than the original decision-maker. The internal review period is initially 20 business days but may be extended under certain conditions.

External Review

You may apply directly to the Office of the Information Commissioner or after an internal review. Applications must be made within 20 business days of the decision. No fee is payable.

What is Information Privacy?
The Information Privacy Act 2009 (the IP Act):

• gives you a right to apply to access and amend your own personal information
• details the privacy principles public sector agencies must comply with
• establishes the Privacy Commissioner as a deputy to the Information Commissioner with particular responsibility for Information Privacy in Queensland

There are 13 Queensland Privacy Principles (QPPs) for Queensland public sector agencies which regulate how personal information is collected, secured, used and disclosed by Queensland public sector agencies.

Under the Information Privacy Act 2009, a person may apply to correct (QPP12) and access (QPP13) their own personal information administratively. If you would like to access or correct your personal information, please email privacyandrti@qleave.qld.gov.au with:

• Proof of your identity, and
• Details of your personal information you wish to access or correct.

Personal Information held by QLeave
QLeave collects, stores and uses client personal information required for the administration of the Acts. Client personal information includes:

• industry workers' personal information, for example name, address, occupation, business type, income data and work history
• industry employers' personal information, for example name, address, occupation and business type
• portable long service leave levy payers' personal information, for example name, address, telephone number, project address and project value.

Vendor personal information includes information to allow normal business processes to take place, for example name, address for payment and bank account details to allow for electronic payment of accounts.