2026-03-10
14 min read
Regulation and Consumer Protection
We analysed 5 years of Freedom of Information request outcomes across federal agencies. Processing times are up 34%, full release rates are down, and some agencies now refuse more than they release.
We compiled FOI outcome data from 24 federal agencies over five financial years (2020-21 to 2024-25). The trend is clear: the proportion of requests resulting in full release has fallen from 38% to 27%. Processing times have increased from an average of 32 days to 43 days. The proportion of requests where the processing deadline was exceeded has risen from 21% to 34%.
27%
full release rate (down from 38%)
The Department of Home Affairs has the lowest full release rate at 11%, followed by the Department of Defence at 14% and the Attorney-General's Department at 18%. The best performers are the Bureau of Meteorology (82% full release), the Australian Bureau of Statistics (74%), and the National Library (71%). Unsurprisingly, the agencies with the most politically sensitive material are the least forthcoming.
“FOI is supposed to be the mechanism by which citizens hold government accountable. When it takes months and releases are heavily redacted, that mechanism is broken.”
— Australian Information Commissioner, FOI Annual Report 2024-25
A growing trend is the use of 'practical refusal' — where agencies claim processing a request would divert too many resources from their core work. Practical refusal notifications increased 67% over the five-year period. Once notified, applicants must narrow their request within 14 days or it lapses. Our analysis shows 44% of practically refused requests are never resubmitted.
“They announce things with a press conference and a number — $10 billion for housing, $6 billion for Medicare. Then nothing changes for months or years. I've stopped listening to announcements.”
— Small business owner, regional SA, ABC talkback
Several agencies have demonstrated that transparency is achievable. The NDIA proactively publishes operational data quarterly. The ATO's FOI log is publicly searchable. Services Australia has reduced processing times by 20% through a dedicated FOI team. These examples show the problem is one of institutional culture and resourcing, not inherent impossibility.
Based on our analysis, three reforms would most improve government transparency: a legislated maximum processing time with penalties for non-compliance, mandatory proactive publication of commonly requested document categories, and dedicated FOI resourcing requirements tied to agency size. The current Information Commissioner has recommended all three; none have been legislated.
“Women trust government less and it's not hard to see why. Childcare, aged care, healthcare — the systems that fail are the ones women depend on most.”
— Women's policy advocate, National Press Club address, 2025
Sources & Methodology
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, FOI Annual Reports 2020-21 to 2024-25
YourGov analysis of FOI disclosure logs from 24 federal agencies
Information Commissioner, submission to Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee (2025)
Commonwealth Ombudsman, FOI Complaint Trends Report (2025)
Read our full methodology →