- Who can apply to have an Open to Public Access (OPA) direction made?
- What can an application cover?
- How is an application made?
- Is there a fee for applying to have an access direction made?
- When does the access direction need to be made?
- What are the steps in making an application for an OPA direction?
- How does a public office will deal with your application?
Who can apply to have an Open to Public Access (OPA) direction made?
What can an application cover?
How is an application made?
An application to make an access direction must:
- be made in writing to the responsible public office
- accurately identify the records that require an access direction, and
- include the name and contact details of the applicant.
You do not need to demonstrate a need or give a reason for the application.
Is there a fee for applying to have an access direction made?
When does the access direction need to be made?
A public office must make an access direction within 14 days of receiving the application.
If an access direction is not made within 14 days the records subject to the application are considered to be open to public access.
What are the steps in making an application for an OPA direction?
-
Identify the records you want covered by an open to public access direction.
-
Check to make sure the records are not already covered by an access direction on the Register of Access Directions.
-
Check with NSW State Archives staff that the records are not covered by past access conditions that are not included on the Register of Access Directions.
-
Identify the public office responsible for the records. NSW State Archives staff can assist in both identifying the public office and an appropriate contact.
Tip: Remember the public office that created the records may no longer be the public office responsible for the records. -
Make an application in writing and send it to the responsible public office, as well as NSW State Archives. This assists us in tracking the application process.
- Acknowledge the receipt of your application in writing to both yourself and NSW State Archives.
- Make an access direction by consulting:
Note: They may make more than one access direction for the records in cases where some records can be opened and others may need a longer period of closure.
- Within 14 days inform you and NSW State Archives of the access direction.
Note: If no access direction is made within 14 days the records are taken to be open to public access.
ARCHIVES IN BRIEF
Content in this Guide was previously published as Archives in Brief 96 - Applying for an Access Direction
What's happened with Archives in Brief »