Freedom of Information Part II Information Statements

For the benefit of Victorian citizens, the Department of Justice and Community Safety releases a large amount of information through online and print publishing as well as person-to-person service provision.

These Freedom of Information Statements show how the department is making information readily available to the public.

Making information easily accessible reduces the need for members of the public to submit requests under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.

The statements below provide links to documents held by the department. Information about the department and its functions can be found on this website and in the department's Annual Report

To find a specific topic, conduct a full search of this site, view the site map or contact the relevant business areas

This website outlines the role of the department and makes it easy for the public to find the information they need regarding key services, functions, reports and outputs. 

Additional information can also be found at

• Corrections Victoria (External link)
• Consumer Affairs Victoria (External link)
• Emergency Management Victoria (External link)
• Crime Statistics Agency (External link)
• Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria (External link)
• Community Crime Prevention (External link)
• Data Vic (External link)

Information statements

• Statement 1: Organisation and functions
• Statement 2: Categories of documents
• Statement 3: Freedom of information arrangements
• Statement 4: Publications
• Statement 5: Rules, policies and procedures
• Statement 6: Report literature

Statement 1: Organisation and functions

The department is the key coordinating agency for the state’s justice system and is responsible for a range of core community safety efforts in Victoria.

Ministerial portfolios within the department include the Attorney-General, Corrections, Crime Prevention, Victim Support, Youth Justice, Police, Emergency Services, Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation.

The department maintains partnerships with a range of statutory entities relating to the Justice portfolio and supports volunteers associated with these entities. 

Information relating to the organisation and function of the department can be found on this website, on other departmental websites, in online publications and at Justice service centres.

The resource locations and content presented within the Freedom of Information Part II Statements provide links to information relating to the department and its functions, which can be found at various locations on this website and in the department's annual report.

To find a specific topic, conduct a search of this site, access the site map, or contact the relevant business areas

The department develops a range of policies and practices. The department's websites enable the public to provide feedback on the policies and initiatives as they are developed. In addition, the public can provide feedback via the website feedback page or to the address below.

Members of the public can also write directly to the department seeking information on any aspect of its operations. Correspondence can be addressed to either the Secretary of the department or the director of the relevant business unit (contact names can be found on the organisational chart and contact details can be found in the business areas section).

Department of Justice and Community Safety
121 Exhibition Street
GPO Box 4356
Melbourne VIC 3000

Contact the department’s main switchboard number:
Phone: 03 8684 0000
Phone: 1300 365 111 (for regional callers)

More information about freedom of information can be found on the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner's (OVIC) website (External link) 

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Statement 2: Categories of documents

The department creates a large number of documents and records in the course of its work. The department uses an electronic document and records management system to classify, store, access and manage a broad range of electronic and hard copy documents.

Document types

The types of documents that the department handles include:

• policy, procedures and standards
• briefings and reports
• case files
• registers
• correspondence
• applications and licences
• meeting records
• financial records
• audio-visual material.

Document categories

Documents are organised under the following categories according to the department’s business classification scheme.

To find a specific topic, conduct a full search of this site or contact the relevant business areas. The site map of this website shows the areas of work that the department undertakes and in which areas documents are created. The site map provides an index, showing a comprehensive list of categories of documents and departmental business areas, where documents can be accessed.

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Statement 3: Freedom of information arrangements

Under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, members of the public have the right to request access to documents about their personal affairs and/or the activities of the department.

A freedom of information request needs to be made in writing to the agency that holds the documents requested. Requests for documents in the possession of the department should be addressed to:

Freedom of Information 
Department of Justice and Community Safety
121 Exhibition Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

To lodge an online freedom of information request, or for further information about how to make a request, visit the OVIC website (External link) or call 03 8684 0063.

The Information Commissioner's website also provides information including how to request a review of, or lodge a complaint about, a freedom of information decision made by an agency.

More information about freedom of information can be found on the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner's website (External link)

Freedom of information requests are only one way of obtaining information. For example, Data.Vic is a specialised website proactively providing access to government data. Where appropriate, an individual may ask for access to their personal or health information, without having to make a formal request under freedom of information. It will not be appropriate if, for example, a third party's privacy is involved.

Individuals can access information held about them by the department by:

• directly contacting the relevant business area initially
• contacting the department's Manager, Information and Privacy (External link)

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Statement 4: Publications

The department and its associated agencies produce a wide range of publications, many of which can be accessed on the publications section of this website. Publications are indexed and listed alphabetically by title, summary and publication date, which can be filtered by entering specific document categories. In some cases, it is not possible to supply the publication as a downloadable file. If this is the case, details are provided about alternate means of obtaining a copy of the publication. Translations are available for some departmental publications.

The annual report lists information, as specified in the Minister for Finance's standing directions, to be made available on request by relevant ministers, members of Parliament and the public (subject to freedom of information requirements, if applicable).

To find a publication, conduct a full site search or access the site map, which provides an index arranged by category.

Enquiries should be directed to:

Director
Strategic Communication Branch
Department of Justice and Community Safety
GPO Box 4356
Melbourne VIC 3001

The resource locations and content presented within the Freedom of Information Part II Statements provide a snapshot of the information that is available and are not an exhaustive representation.

To find a specific topic, conduct a full search of this site or contact the relevant business areas

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Statement 5: Rules, policies and procedures

This section highlights some areas in which the department publishes internal rules, policies and procedures online.

Types of information that can be found on this site include:

• manuals of procedure
• interpretations of governing statutes
• statements of policies and documents concerning methods of enforcing acts or schemes.

Examples are listed below.

To find a specific topic, conduct a full search of this site. Alternatively, if there are documents of this nature that are not currently available online, requests can be submitted directly to the relevant business areas

This website outlines the role of the department and makes it easy for the public to find the information they need regarding key services, functions, reports and outputs.

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Statement 6: Report literature

This section highlights where final reports and records of decisions relating to policy published by the department can be found.

The annual report lists information, as specified in the Minister for Finance's standing directions, to be made available on request to relevant ministers, members of Parliament and the public (subject to freedom of information requirements, if applicable).

Enquiries should be directed to:

Director
Strategic Communication Branch
Department of Justice and Community Safety
GPO Box 4356
Melbourne VIC 3001

Examples are listed below.

To find a specific topic, conduct a full search of this site or contact the relevant business areas

This website outlines the role of the department and makes it easy for the public to find the information they need regarding key services, functions, reports and outputs.

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