World · Australia · Questions

Federal Register of Legislation and freedom of information

The Federal Register of Legislation is the authorised source for Commonwealth Acts, legislative instruments and the Constitution, with historical versions. The Freedom of Information Act 1982 gives a right to request documents from Australian Government agencies, and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) reviews decisions and publishes FOI statistics. States and territories have their own laws and registers.

Release calendar

What it publishes

• Authorised text of Commonwealth Acts and legislative instruments, with compilations over time.
• The Freedom of Information Act 1982.
• OAIC guidance on how to request government information, and FOI statistics.

Key datasets

• Federal Register of Legislation
  Search Acts and instruments, in force and historical.
  Updated: Continuous
• Freedom of Information Act 1982
  Latest compilation of the Act.
  Updated: As amended
• OAIC: How to access government information
  Guide to making an FOI request.
  Updated: As updated
• OAIC: Australian Government FOI statistics
  Annual statistics on FOI requests and outcomes.
  Updated: Annual

APIs and downloads

• Federal Register of Legislation
  Download Acts and instruments as Word, PDF or EPUB.

When it publishes

New laws and compilations are added as they are registered or made.

How to use it to check a claim

1. Use the compilation in force on the date the claim refers to.
2. For FOI, apply to the agency that holds the documents and keep its decision; review by the OAIC is available after an agency decision.

Common mistakes

• State laws are not on the Federal Register; use each state's legislation site.
• Some documents are exempt under the FOI Act.

Where do I find an Australian federal law?

Search the Federal Register of Legislation by title; each Act shows compilations over time.

How do I make an FOI request?

Follow the OAIC's guide and send a written request to the agency's FOI contact, stating it is made under the FOI Act 1982.

Questions answered using this source

• What is the minimum wage in Australia?

Links checked 14 October 2026. This page describes what the source publishes and gives no verdict on any claim.