Decision Search Facility

Introduction

This search page enables searches of the Information Commissioner's decisions to be conducted:

• based on exemptions in the FOI Act; 
• based on sections in the FOI Act; 
• based on words or phrases;
• by agency or complainant name;
• by selecting between two dates;
• based on an outcome; or
• using Google search.

Note:

• The Information Commissioner's decisions are currently published either in full or in note form.
• The searches by 'exemptions', 'sections' and 'words or phrases' are limited to searches of the catchwords contained in the Commissioner's full decisions. The catchwords are the words on the cover page of a full decision which summarise the subject matter of the decision.  Click here for an example of the catchwords in a full decision.

Search by exemptions in the FOI Act

Find full decisions containing exemption clause   in the catchwords (10 characters MAX).

                                                  e.g. "5(1)(b)" - finds full decisions containing exemption clause 5(1)(b) in the catchwords.
                                                  e.g. "5" - finds full decisions containing exemption clause 5, 5(1), 5(1)(c), etc. in the catchwords.   
                                                  If no entry is made, "3(1)" is used as the default.

Note: Quotes are not required.
                                                

  Go to Index 

Search by sections in the FOI Act:

Find full decisions containing section   in the catchwords (10 characters MAX).

                                                  e.g. "20" - finds full decisions containing section 20, 20(1), etc. in the catchwords.
                                                  e.g. "26(1)" - finds full decisions containing section 26(1) in the catchwords.   
                                                  If no entry is made, "20" (i.e. section 20) is used as the default.

Note: Quotes are not required.


  Go to Index

Search by words or phrases:

Find full decisions containing the word(s) or phrase   in the catchwords (25 characters MAX).

                                                                                                 e.g. "personal information", or "reveal the investigation".               
 Note1: Quotes are not necessary.

  Go to Index

Search by name(s):

Respondent agency contains :            e.g. Housing (20 characters MAX).
Complainant full name contains :      e.g. Smith (15 characters MAX).

Decision Type :
                                                     All decisions
                                                     Full decisions only
                                                     Summary decisions only (used between 1996 and 2002)
                                                     Note form decisions only
 

 Go to Index

Search by Date(s):

Decision Type :
                                                     All decisions
                                                     Full decisions only
                                                     Summary decisions only (used between 1996 and 2002)
                                                     Note form decisions only

   Go to Index

Search by Outcome:

Outcome of decision was:        
                                                     Confirmed
                                                     Set Aside and Substituted
                                                     Varied

Decision Type :
                                                     All decisions
                                                     Full decisions only
                                                     Summary decisions only (used between 1996 and 2002)
                                                     Note form decisions only

  Go to Index