Recording Government

FOI Administration Officers

On This Page

• FOI Officers
• FOIMS - Across Government FOI Management System
• FOIMS Registration Form
• Updating FOI Officer Contact Details
• FOI Officers Forum
• Freedom of Information Training

FOI Officers

The Freedom of Information Act, 1991 requires that an Accredited FOI Officer deals with all FOI applications. Hence, all South Australian Government agencies and South Australian Universities have an Accredited FOI Officer.

The Accredited FOI Officer for an agency is automatically the Principal Officer for that agency.

The Principal Officer can also designate an officer of their agency to be an Accredited FOI Officer.

To be designated as an Accredited FOI Officer, you must satisfy the following legislative requirements. You must:

• have completed FOI Officer training approved by the Minister
• have been designated by the Principal Officer of your agency as an Accredited FOI Officer
• be employed in an executive position under the Public Sector Act, 2009 in an administrative unit or in a position that usually reports to an Executive, or be an officer in the South Australian Police, or (in any other case) be employed in a position that usually reports to the Principal Officer of the agency or to the Deputy or immediate delegate.

For audit purposes, it is recommended that this delegation be in writing.

Further information on FOI Officer training is available via the links below.

Related Information:

• What is an Accredited FOI Officer?
• State Records Operational Training

FOIMS - Across Government FOI Management System

At the request of the Minister responsible for the administration of the Freedom of Information Act, 1991 (FOI Act) , State Records has deployed an Across-Government Freedom of Information Management System (FOIMS) with the objective of providing a reliable and efficient recording system to manage FOI applications for South Australian State Government agencies, Local Government Authorities and South Australian Universities.

The Minister wishes to ensure that there is a consistent FOI framework for the whole of government in South Australia that allows accurate and responsive reporting on FOI applications.

Extensive consultation with State Government, Local Government and University representatives and the formation of a Key User Group, has ensured that FOIMS meets the needs of all types of usage. We believe that FOIMS allows FOI Officers to respond to FOI requests more easily and efficiently.

To support the use of FOIMS, State Records conducts introductory training.

For further information on FOIMS please select from the links below.

Related Information:

• FOI Management System (FOIMS)
• FOIMS Registration Form
• State Records Operational Training
• FOI Letter and Document Templates

FOIMS Registration Form

In order to register your agency on the FOIMS system, you will need to download and complete the FOIMS Agency Registration Form and return it as per the instructions on the form. State Records will use the information to create your agency and an agency administrator in FOIMS, then notify you of your login.

To find out more about registration and becoming operational in FOIMS, please contact Freedom of Information Enquiries.

This is a WORD version of the FOIMS Agency Registration Form for FOIMS Administrators. FOIMS Agency Registration Form (58 KB DOC File)
This is the Agency Registration Form for the FOIMS Agency Administrator FOIMS Agency Registration Form (36 KB PDF File)

Updating FOI Officer Contact Details

State Records uses the Freedom of Information Management System (FOIMS) for FOI Officer contact details. Please check that the details for your agency are up-to-date. Changes can only be made by your FOIMS Agency Administrator.

FOI Officers Forum

To assist FOI Officers, State Records periodically organises a FOI Officers Forum.

Briefly, the FOI Officers Forum has been established to:

• disseminate information on the Freedom of Information Act, 1991, and supporting processes, to FOI Officers
• set-up a network between FOI Officers for mutual support, advice and guidance
• allow feedback and suggestions to flow to State Records on the process and administration of FOI
• improve the skill levels and experience of individual FOI Officers.

To assist with the organisation of the FOI Officers Forum, an Advisory Group has been established. This Group meets between forums to establish an agenda for the next forum based upon suggestions from participants.

Scheduling of the Forum is dependent on key issues for discussion, such as legislative or policy developments, and the availability of resources from State Records.

Related Information:

• FOI Officers Forum Meetings

Freedom of Information Training

State Records provides an awareness education programme for FOI Officers to familiarise them with the principles of Freedom of Information (FOI).

Additionally, State Records offers a range of training to assist with the requirements to become a designated FOI Officer. Further details may be found at the links below.

Related Information:

• Awareness Education
• State Records Operational Training
• Training for FOI Officers

In this section:

Other information in this section:

• FOI Officers Forum Meetings