Information Consultants Pty Ltd

Training Courses

We offer a range of shorter and longer courses in Access to Information legislation. The most popular are the Introduction to FOI for Decision-makers, a one-day course, and Advanced FOI, also a one-day course. Many people undertake the training as a combined two-day programme. All our courses are highly interactive and are designed around the needs of participants. Courses may also be provided in-house to suit specific agency needs. Courses are tailored to each jurisdiction and deal with the requirements of the relevant legislation (eg: RTI in Queensland and GI(PA) in NSW).

The next course dates are:

• Sydney: July 27 and 28: Introduction to GI(PA) and Advanced GI(PA) - Sydney CBD (click to download the brochure)
  
• Brisbane: September 1 and 2 courses - through the Office of the Information Commissioner.
• Darwin: 2 day courses were held in April. Please send email or contact the Office of the Information Commissioner to express interest in courses in July/August 2010

If you are interested in more details about the training courses, or would like to register your interest in the next public courses or in-house training courses, please e-mail using the link above.

Feedback from course participants is consistently very positive, citing Megan's wealth of knowledge, presentation style and practical examples as particular strengths. Extracts from recent course evaluations can be found here.

In brief, the course outlines are:

Introduction to FOI / RTI / GI(PA)

• Objectives of the legislation
• Procedures for dealing with an application for access or amendment
• Consultation with applicant
• Consultation with third parties
• Internal and external review processes
• Decision Making: Public interest and exemption provisions

Advanced FOI / RTI / GI(PA)

• Discussion of key terms: public interest, harm tests
• Detailed analysis and case studies of exemption provisions
  - including breach of confidence, legal privilege, deliberative process, personal information
• Discussion of key Tribunal / Information Commissioner / court decisions

We also provide a number of shorter specialised courses.

Preparing Documents for Release

• Clarifying scope and terms of application
• Developing search strategies
• Organising information collated from various sources, including registered files, electronic documents and email
• Physical presentation of documents, including editing of documents
• Preparing decision schedules

The Review Process

• The role and responsiblities of the internal reviewer
• Principles of sound decision making
• Sufficiency of search
• Consultation
• Drafting statement of reasons
• External review processes

Understanding Your Responsibilities: Access to Information, Privacy and Records Management for Managers

• The manager's role and responsiblities
• Overview of procedures for access and amendment
• Definition of "record" and search strategies
• Overview of exemption provisions
• Public interest issues in release of information
• Information Privacy Principles
• Penalties for mishandling information

Access to Information, Records Management , Privacy and Code of Conduct (for all staff)

• Staff roles and responsibilities in
  • records management (including email issues)
  • privacy and
  • access to information
• Code of Conduct:
  • purpose and principles of the code
  • ethical decision making
  • conflicts of interest
  • gifts and benefits
  • use of agency resources