The FOI Act gives members of the public a legally enforceable right to access documents – subject to certain exemptions – held by South Australian government agencies, local government authorities, statutory and regulatory bodies and South Australian universities. The Act also gives you the right to apply to have your personal records amended if the information is incomplete, incorrect, out-of-date or misleading.

In accordance with the FOI Act applications must:

• be made in writing
• specify that the application is made under the Freedom of Information Act 1991
• include your name and an address in Australia to which information can be sent (an email address is sufficient)
• be accompanied by the application fee (exemptions apply for Members of Parliament and Commonwealth Concession Card holders)
• clearly identify the documents being sought or the matter to which they pertain
• specify if the documents contain your personal information
• request the form of access you are seeking, for example, specify if you require a copy of the documents or you wish to inspect the documents.

Due to the specialised nature of the work that the SASBC manage and to protect our clients an exemption to the FOI Act was gazetted on 18 December 2014.

Freedom of Information (Exempt Agency) Regulation 2008.

For more information about Freedom of Information in South Australia visit the State Records website.

To submit your application online please click here.

If you are refused access to all or part of a document that you requested access to, you will be informed of the reasons why and advised of your rights to seek a review or appeal.

You can also seek a review or appeal if you have applied for your personal records to be amended under FOI and amendment has been refused.

For more information contact:

Ombudsman SA
Phone (08) 8226 8699
Toll Free 1800 182 150 (within South Australia)
Email ombudsman@ombudsman.sa.gov.au

Pursuant to the provisions of section 9(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 1991 (the Act) the following details are provided as part of the information statement of the office of the South Australian Small Business Commissioner which is an agency as defined under section 4(1)(b) of the Act. Subject to certain restrictions, the Act gives members of the public a legally enforceable right to access information held by the South Australian Government.

An Introduction to Freedom of Information (FOI) is provided by State Records.

Structure and functions

The Small Business Commissioner is an independent statutory officer and the Office of the South Australian Small Business Commissioner (SASBC) is established by the Small Business Commissioner Act 2011. The Commissioner is committed to helping build the best possible environment in which small business can flourish, now and in the future.

For more information see:

• The most recent Annual Report that contains a comprehensive description of the structure and functions of the SASBC.
• The SASBC website for information about services.
• There are no formal arrangements which enable members of the public to participate in the formulation of the SASBCs policies and the exercises of the Commissioner’s functions. From time to time consultation is undertaken when it is deemed appropriate to engage the public in the formulation of specific policy.

Documents held within the Office of the South Australian Small Business Commissioner

Documents held by the SASBC fall broadly into the categories described below. Documents can be requested in hard copy or electronically unless advised otherwise. The listing of these categories does not necessarily mean all documents are accessible in full or in part under the Act.

Due to the specialised nature of the work that the SASBC manage and to protect our clients an exemption to the FOI Act was gazetted on 18 December 2014.

Freedom of Information (Exempt Agency) Regulation 2008.

The categories include:

• Corporate files containing correspondence, memoranda and minutes on aspects of the SASBCs operations.
• Policies, procedures and guidelines prescribing the way various activities and programs are to be performed. The SASBC operates under the guidance of the Attorney General's Department (AGD) corporate policies.
• Accounting and financial reports relating to the running of the SASBC.
• The SASBC annual reports and business plans.
• Documents relating to the services of the SASBC.

Documents available from the office of the South Australian Small Business Commissioner

The following types of documents are published on the SASBCs website and/or are publicly available free of charge by contacting the SASBC:

• brochures
• pamphlets
• information packs
• forms
• newsletters
• fact sheets
• media releases
• annual reports
• consultation papers
• booklets
• guidelines

Making an application for access to/or amendment of documents

The FOI Act gives members of the public a legally enforceable right to access documents – subject to certain exemptions – held by South Australian government agencies, local government authorities, statutory and regulatory bodies and South Australian universities.

The Act also gives you the right to apply to have your personal records amended if the information is incomplete, incorrect, out-of-date or misleading.

Due to the specialised nature of the work that the SASBC manage and to protect our clients an exemption to the FOI Act was gazetted on 18 December 2014.

Freedom of Information (Exempt Agency) Regulation 2008.

For more information about Freedom of Information in South Australia visit the State Records website.

To submit your application online please click here.