Information Publication Scheme
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Introduction
This agency publication plan is for the purpose of meeting the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).
Part II of the FOI Act establishes an Information Publication Scheme (IPS) for Australian Government agencies subject to the FOI Act. The IPS commenced on 1 May 2011 and requires agencies to publish a broad range of information on their website, and to make it available for downloading where possible.
The IPS forms the basis for an open and transparent culture across government and aims to transform the Freedom of Information framework from one that responds to individual requests to one that requires a proactive approach to publishing information.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship is an agency subject to the FOI Act and is required to comply with the Information Publication Scheme (IPS) requirements.
The department is headed by the Secretary and four Deputy Secretaries. The department's key objectives are to:
- Manage the lawful and orderly entry and stay of people in Australia, including through effective border security
- Promote a society which values Australian citizenship, appreciates cultural diversity and enables migrants to participate equitably.
The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), which
reports directly to the Secretary of the department, commenced operations
on 1 July 2009. The MARA is a discrete office attached to the department
headed by a Chief Executive Officer. More information about MARA is available on their website and references to the department in this plan include the MARA as appropriate.
See: www.mara.gov.au
Purpose
The purpose of this agency publication plan is to:
- assist the department in planning and developing its contribution to the IPS
- facilitate public consultation about that contribution
- show what information the agency proposes to publish (referred to as the IPS information holdings), how and to whom the information will be published and how the department will otherwise comply with the IPS requirements.
Note: In this plan, information to be published by the department under the IPS is referred to as the IPS information holdings, or as the IPS documents when referring to individual documents.
This plan describes how the department proposes to achieve the purpose as required by Part II of the FOI Act.
The plan describes how the department proposes to implement and administer the IPS in respect of its information holdings, by addressing:
- information architecture
- information required to be published
- other information to be published (optional information)
- accessibility to information published.
The publication plan supports the department’s commitment to ensure that it is open and accountable, deals fairly and reasonably with its clients and has staff that are well trained and supported.
Objectives
The department's objectives in this plan are to outline the mechanisms and procedures to:
- manage the IPS information holdings
- proactively identify and publish all information required to be published (s8(2))
- proactively identify and publish any optional information to be published (s8(4))
- review and ensure on a regular basis that information published under the IPS is accurate, up to date and complete (s8B)
- ensure satisfactory conformance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (Version 2) (WCAG2.0).
We also aim to reduce the number of formal requests which applicants would otherwise be required to make under the FOI Act by making information that is regularly sought readily available and accessible to them.
Information Architecture
The IPS information holdings that are available on the department's website will be published and/or linked to various sites within the website, under the following headings:
- Agency Publication Plan (s8(2)(a))
- Agency Organisation (s8(2)(b))
- Agency Functions and decision making powers (s8(2)(c))
- Statutory Appointments (s8(2)(d))
- Annual reports to Parliament (s8(2)(e))
- Consultation arrangements (s8(2)(f))
- FOI disclosure log (s8(2)(g))
- Information routinely given to Parliament (s8(2)(h))
- Contact details (s8(2)(i))
- Operational information (s8(2)(j))
- Optional Information published by the department (s8(4)).
To ensure that the IPS information holdings (and individual IPS documents) are easily accessible the department will endeavour to:
- publish an IPS icon on the homepage of its website, which will link to the IPS section of the website
- design and publish an IPS entry point on its website
- provide a search function for its website.
Information required to be published
The department publishes most documents required to be published under the IPS (s8(2)) on our website or via the links provided in this plan.
Operational information will be listed on the department’s website. It may be accessed by contacting the FOI and Privacy Policy Section of the department.
Postal address
FOI & Privacy Policy Section
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
PO Box 25
Belconnen ACT 2616
Australia
Telephone
See: National Telephone Numbers > General enquiries
Fax: 02 6264 1818
Email: foi@immi.gov.au
The department will publish these documents in accordance with the timeframe
set out in the Indicative Timetable – WCAG2.0 Conformance.
See: Agency Publication Plan – May 2011
Agency Plan
The department's Agency Publication Plan is available for viewing on this website.
See: Agency Publication Plan – May 2011