Information Requests
Guide to making a request for information (including under the Freedom of Information Act 1992)
Gellung Warl has been established as a statutory body under the terms of the Statewide Treaty Act 2025 (Vic) (the Statewide Treaty Act).
Gellung Warl consists of:
- The First Peoples’ Assembly as the decision-making arm of Gellung Warl comprised of general members and reserved members (Assembly)
- Nginma Ngainga Wara (once established)
- Nyerna Yoorrook Telkuna (once established)
The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic) (FOI Act) allows members of the public to request access to documents held by public sector agencies, including Gellung Warl.
Gellung Warl is committed to openness in accordance with the FOI Act while respecting Aboriginal Lore, Law and Cultural Authority and Indigenous Data Sovereignty.
Gellung Warl also commits to proactive disclosure of information to the community wherever appropriate, by routinely publishing information to minimise the need for formal FOI requests.
Gellung Warl has developed this guide as part of these commitments.
How to access information
Gellung Warl develops a broad range of information. Some of this information is published and is accessible online, in print, or in person.
Freedom of Information Part II Statements can help you find out about where and how to access available content. Gellung Warl will prepare information statements required under Part II of the FOI Act and make them available for access.
The Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC) is an independent body that provides advice and education to the public and agencies on FOI, reviews FOI decisions, handles FOI complaints and monitors compliance with the Act. More information about all these aspects of FOI is available on the OVIC website.
Making a request under the FOI Act
1. Before lodging a request under the FOI Act
Gellung Warl will facilitate public access to information, limiting the need for the public to formally seek documents under the FOI Act.
Gellung Warl makes information available online. You are encouraged to first check to see whether the desired information may already be publicly available, such as in Gellung Warl’s Annual Report. Information which is publicly accessible can be obtained outside of the FOI process.
You may also wish to make a general enquiry to Gellung Warl as it may, in appropriate circumstances, informally release certain information without the need to process an FOI request.
2. Making a request under the FOI Act
If you intend to make a request under the FOI Act, you must make the request in writing. The application fee or proof of hardship must also be included with your request.
Under the Freedom of Information (Access Charges) Regulations 2025, access charges, which are set by those regulations, may also apply.
This could include charges for search time, supervision, photocopying and other applicable charges.
A FOI request must be specific enough to allow Gellung Warl to identify documents considered relevant to the request, so it is important you consider the terms of your request carefully before lodging your request. You can make a request by sending an email or posting your request to [email protected]
Your FOI request should:
- set out as clearly as possible the document(s) you need
- provide enough detail to enable the document(s) to be identified.
3. What happens after a FOI request is received by Gellung Warl
Once we receive your application, a Gellung Warl staff member will review it and contact you if further details are needed. Once we have a valid and confirmed request, we will do our best to process it within the required timeframe and provide the documents requested.
If any documents or parts of documents are considered by us to be exempt under the FOI Act or any other legislation, our written decision notice will provide you with the reasons for the decision.
If you disagree with our decision, you can appeal to OVIC within 28 days and they have 30 days to review, unless you agree to an extended period in writing. Lodging a request with OVIC for review is free.
Date
These guidelines were published on 10 August 2026.
Version
Version 1