The Royal Australian Mint (Mint) is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act) as part of the Department of the Treasury (Treasury), rather than as a separate agency. However, particular decision makers within the Mint have been given the authority by the Treasury to make FOI decisions about FOI requests made to the Mint for access to documents held by the Mint.
The FOI Act gives individuals a statutory right of access to documents held by the Mint. This statutory right of access means that, subject to particular exceptions, the Mint must disclose documents in response to a request made by an applicant under the FOI Act unless the Mint is satisfied that the documents are exempt from release, in part or in full, under any of the exemption provisions in the FOI Act.
However, the Treasury is not subject to the FOI Act in relation to documents which relate to the ‘commercial activities’ of the Mint. This exception ensures that the Mint is not commercially disadvantaged against its private sector competitors.
For example, the following categories of documents are likely to relate to the Mint’s ‘commercial activities’:
- documents that relate to the operation of the Mint’s eShop, noting that this may include documents relevant to software that is used in the operation of the Mint’s eShop, or any contractual arrangements with third party providers that provide services in relation to the Mint’s eShop; and
- documents that describe the Mint’s strategies for its commercial activities.
If documents which relate to the Mint’s ‘commercial activities’ fall within the scope of your FOI request, this will be clearly explained to you in the Mint’s decision on your request.
Making an FOI Request
Subject to particular exceptions, documents that we have released in response to FOI requests are published on our Disclosure Log. Please check this log before you make a new request.
You can make a request under the FOI Act via email to foi@ramint.gov.au, or in writing to:
Freedom of Information Officer
Royal Australian Mint
Denison Street
DEAKIN ACT 2600
An FOI request must:
- state that the request is an application for the purposes of the FOI Act;
- provide such information concerning the document(s) requested as is reasonably necessary to enable a responsible officer of the Mint to identify the document(s); and
- give detail of how notices under the FOI Act may be sent to you (which may be as simple as providing a return email address).
Applying for internal review of an FOI decision
The Treasury is responsible for internal review requests in regards to the Mint’s decisions.
If you are not satisfied with the Mint’s decision about your FOI request, you can send a request for internal review of that decision directly to the Treasury, with a copy of the Mint’s decision attached. For further information, please go to the Treasury website.
Further Information
For further information about the FOI Act, please refer to the OAIC website.
If you have any questions, please email foi@ramint.gov.au.