FOI Exemptions

The FOI Act allows the University to refuse access to certain ‘exempt documents’. Some of the bases on which a document can be exempted are that it:

1. contains information concerning the personal affairs of any person;
2. relates to uncompleted or unpublished research, the disclosure of which could have an adverse effect on the University or the research sponsor;
3. is subject to legal professional privilege;
4. contains information concerning the business affairs of the University, the disclosure of which could have an adverse effect on those affairs;
5. contains information, the disclosure of which could prejudice the University’s administrative functions or assessment procedures; or
6. contains confidential information.
   
   Confidential information may include sensitive personal and commercial information, internal staff management procedures, trade secrets and know how. It may be in paper-based documents as well as other media such as computer files, plans, photographs and audiotapes.
   
   Refer to Confidentiality Clauses for more information. 

Most of the exemptions require the University to demonstrate that it would be contrary to the public interest for the document to be disclosed.