How can I access Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport information?

1. Search information that we publish

Under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009, certain information is required by law to be available on our website, free of charge.  This is called "open access information". Our open access information is available through the following links:

• agency information guide
• documents tabled in the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council
• DCITHS, Liquor and Gaming NSW and Create NSW Policy documents
• disclosure log of formal access applications
• register of government contracts
• list of major assets and property disposals
• the DCITHS Code of Ethics and Conduct

The Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport (DCITHS) does not hold any open access information that it does not make publicly available on the basis of an overriding public interest against disclosure. 

In addition to “open access information”, DCITHS also proactively releases other information on this website and on its other websites including the Create NSW and Liquor and Gaming websites.

The DCITHS Proactive Release of Government Information under the GIPA Act Policy sets out how DCITHS promotes the identification and publication of government information.  

If you cannot find the information you are looking for on this website, you can contact the GIPA team at DCITHS on information@dciths.nsw.gov.au to ask if the information you are after has been released by DCITHS either on this website or in another form. Some publications may only be available on the payment of a fee, but we will let you know if that is the case.

2. Make an informal request

If the information you are after has not already been published by DCITHS, but is information which raises no particular concerns in terms of possible public interest reasons why it should not be released, then DCITHS may be able to release it to you on request without the formalities of having to make a formal application.

If you think this applies to the information you are seeking you can make an informal request by emailing us at information@dciths.nsw.gov.au. 

Generally, we try to release information we hold without the need for you to make a formal access application, unless there are good reasons to require one.

Under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009, however, Government agencies are not required to release information without an access application. DCITHS reserves the right to require you to lodge an access application, particularly if there may be significant public interest considerations that need to be taken into account in deciding whether the information can be released or if you request a large volume of information or if it would otherwise take DCITHS a significant amount of time to consider your request.

3. Make a formal access application

If the information you are looking for is not published by us or available by informal request, you may wish to make a formal access application in writing under the GIPA Act. We will not release information to you if there is an overriding public interest against its disclosure.

You can make a formal application by completing a Government Information Public Access (GIPA) application form (PDF 234.23KB). Then send it to us at the following address:

Attn: Legal Officer (GIPA application request)
Office of the General Counsel
Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport
GPO Box 5341 
Sydney, NSW, 2000

The GIPA Act says that we are only able to accept access applications that:

• are in writing and sent to us at the address above
• indicate clearly that the applicant is making an access application under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW)
• enclose an application fee of $30
• state the name of the applicant, and have a return postal or email address as the address for correspondence
• include as much specific information as reasonably necessary to enable us to identify the information you are asking for.

If your application does not include these 5 things, it will be invalid and will not be processed. If that happens, we will let you know and we will help you, if possible, by explaining how you can make a valid application.

Otherwise, we will write to you acknowledging receipt of a valid access application within five working days and will deal with your application within 20 working days (subject to any extension allowed for under the Act). If any extension of time is required to deal with your application, we will let you know in writing.

Application fees and processing charges

The application fee for making an access application is $30. Processing charges can also be imposed at the rate of $30 per hour. In some circumstances an advance deposit can be required. We will let you know in writing if that applies to your application. Certain discounts may apply, including on financial hardship and public interest grounds – for more details see the NSW Information and Privacy Commission website.

Review rights

Applicants can seek a review of a decision for a formal access application.  This can be by way of an internal review by DCITHS, or an external review by the Information and Privacy Commission or the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT).

An application for internal review by DCITHS must include a $40 application fee, and must be made with 20 working days of a decision being notified to an applicant. To apply for an internal review by DCITHS, please complete the Government Information Public Access (GIPA) internal review form (PDF 113.86KB). Then send it to us at the following address:

Attn: Legal Officer (GIPA application request)
Office of the General Counsel
Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport
McKell Building
2-24 Rawson Place, Haymarket NSW 2000

Applications for review to the Information and Privacy Commission and NCAT must be made within 40 working days of a decision being made. Additional information can be found on the NSW Information and Privacy Commission website.