The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) gives you the legal right (subject to some exemptions) to access documents held by the Local Government Inspectorate.
The Inspectorate does not have access to council files and cannot accept FOI requests relating to Councils.
In accordance with the FOI Act, these documents will be redacted to protect personal information, often including names.
You can request access to public data that is subject to FOI and held by the Inspectorate by emailing inspectorate@lgi.vic.gov.au and outlining the complaint reference number, specific details of what you wish to see and a date range.
The Inspectorate's FOI requests are managed by the Department of Justice's FOI team who will contact you to arrange payment and outline timing expectations and the specifics around the FOI request.
The current FOI application fee is $33.60 (indexed yearly on 1 July).
Additional information about lodging a Freedom of Information request can be found here: Freedom of information | Department of Justice and Community Safety Victoria
Also at the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner: FOI resources for individuals – Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner
FOIs relating to Councils
The Inspectorate does not have access to council files and cannot accept FOI requests relating to Councils.
If you are requesting access to public data held by a local council (for example, draft waste and recycling reports produced by Bayside City Council in 2023 or emails relating to playground upgrades in Yarra City Council between 2022 and 2024) you need to lodge this FOI request directly with the Council, not the Inspectorate.
All council websites have details about the FOI process including how to lodge, what is subject to FOI, what is exempt from FOI, and so on.
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