In many cases it may be possible to access the information you need from the relevant government website. You may also be able to contact the government department or agency that holds the specific information you are after. You can do this yourself or a lawyer can help you find out who to contact. You may also instruct a lawyer to write a letter that clearly identifies the information you need.

You may want a lawyer's help to lodge a formal FOI application if the department is not complying with your request.

A lawyer can also help you make an appeal or complaint if:

• the government department or agency has breached the requirements of FOI laws:
  • this includes a failure to supply the information you need in the timeframe specified under your state or territory's FOI law;
• a government department or agency has breached the privacy provisions under FOI laws:
  • this includes a release of your personal information to a third party against your instructions; or
• you are unhappy with a decision of a government department or agency which has refused to give you access to information you require.