Apply for information

Under the Right to Information Act 2009 (RTI Act), you can apply online to access information held by the Queensland Police Service (QPS). Before you make an application, we recommend you search the following information release resources:

• QPS administrative access scheme
• QPS publication scheme
• QPS disclosure log

Our Right to Information officers can help you to find what you’re looking for. 

Make an application for information

To make an application for information, you will need to provide details of the documents you are looking for, including:

• The subject matter of the documents
• The type of documents (e.g. emails, memos or reports)
• The time period you would like to search
• Relevant document references
• Where you think the documents may be located (e.g. a particular business unit)

You may also need to provide certified copies of your proof of identity. For help to prepare your application, contact the QPS Right to Information office.

Please note: The type of personal information the QPS holds in relation to a person is often highly sensitive.  Therefore, to safeguard this information and ensure it is released to the correct individual, the QPS requires a high standard of proof for valid ID.  When making your application, please be aware that the QPS will not accept ID this is not current (that is, out of date); that was certified more than 12 months ago; or has been provided only in electronic PDF format.  These strict requirements are in place to protect your personal information and that of others.

Things to know about making an application

Will I have to pay a fee?

You will need to pay an application fee if you are seeking access to non personal information. There is no application fee for seeking access to, or amendment of, your personal information, but you will need to provide evidence of your identity (e.g. a certified copy of your driver's licence).

The current application fee, if applicable, is $57.65 and is non-refundable. This fee cannot be waived and must be paid before your application can be processed.

Processing charges 

If you’re applying for documents that don’t relate to you personally, there may also be a charge for our time searching for and processing the documents you’ve requested.  The charges that apply are $8.95 for each 15 minutes or part thereof.

Access charges 

If you require photocopies of documents that are not related to you personally, there is a $0.25 fee for each single-sided document.

You may not have to pay the processing and copy charges if you have a Centrelink Health Care Card, a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card or a Veterans Affairs Pensioner Concession Card.

How can I pay? 

Payment can be made by cheque or money order payable to the Queensland Police Service, or by BPOINT.

How long will it take to process my application? 

You will typically receive a final response to your application within 25 business days of QPS receiving your valid application. If a document you requested is from another party, for example another government agency or someone who may have concerns with the release of the information, we may need to consult with the other party. If this happens, we will need an extra 10 business days to finalise your application. 

What if my request for information is declined? 

QPS may not be able to give you access to all the documents you request, as some documents are exempt from release. If we don’t provide access to the documents you’ve asked for, you may be able to dispute our decision.

The first step is to ask for an internal QPS review of the decision. To apply for an internal review of a decision you must apply in writing within 20 business days of receiving the decision. You can send your request to:

Manager
Right to Information and Subpoena Unit
Queensland Police Service 
GPO Box 1440 
BRISBANE QLD 4001 

Your internal review application will then be referred to a senior officer for decision.

For an external, independent review of our decision, contact the Office of the Information Commissioner.