Information publication scheme

Information Publication Scheme - AIATSIS Agency Plan

The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) and must comply with the Information Publication Scheme (IPS) requirements. The FOI Act specifies ten categories of information that agencies must publish, in addition to their information publication plan. The agency plan describes how the department proposes to do this, as required by section 8(1) of the FOI Act.

AIATSIS is the world’s premier institution for information and research about the cultures and lifestyles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, past and present.

We undertake and encourage scholarly and ethical community-based research. We hold a priceless collection of films, photographs, video and audio recordings, as well as the world’s largest collection of printed and other resource materials for Indigenous studies. We also have our own publishing house.

Our activities aim to raise awareness among all Australians and people worldwide of the rich and diverse Australian Indigenous cultures and histories.

Purpose

The purpose of this agency plan is to:

  • describe how we will comply with section 8(1) of the FOI Act
  • help us in planning and developing our contribution to the IPS and list the information that is proposed for publishing.

Objectives

The objectives of AIATSIS’ information publication plan are to:

  • identify, publish, update and manage the required information
  • provide information in compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 and ensure the information can easily be found
  • perform regular reviews of the IPS agency plan and published information
  • monitor and assess the success of our IPS.

Establishing and administering IPS entry

The Director of Executive is responsible for IPS compliance and undertakes processes to identify the required information to be published.

The Executive team works with the Communications and Engagement team who are responsible for ensuring that the IPS information conforms to WCAG 2.0.

IPS information structure

Information will be published throughout the AIATSIS website once it has been cleared by the Director of Executive. The required information includes:

  • our agency plan (ss 8(2)(a))
  • who we are (ss 8(2)(b) and 8(2)(d))
  • what we do (ss 8(2)(c) and 8(2)(j))
  • our reports and responses to Parliament (ss 8(2)(e) and 8(2)(h))
  • routinely requested information and FOI disclosure log (ss 8(2)(g) and 11C)
  • consultation (s 8(2)(f))
  • contact details (s 8(2)(i))

Other information includes:

  • our priorities (s 8(4))
  • our finances (s 8(4))
  • our lists (s 8(4))

Information required to be published under the IPS

We comply with IPS requirements by publishing information in the following ten categories:

  1. agency plan
  2. details of the agency’s structure: organisational structure, AIATSIS Council, Senior Executive Board
  3. details of the agency’s functions, including its decision-making powers and other powers affecting members of the public: The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Act 1989, AIATSIS Rules
  4. details of statutory appointments of the agency: Senior Executive Board, Council members
  5. the agency’s annual reports
  6. details of consultation arrangements for members of the public to comment on specific policy proposals
  7. information in documents that we routinely provides in response to requests under the FOI Act
  8. information that we routinely provide to Parliament. This is generally covered in annual reports
  9. our operational information as set out in the AIATSIS Rules and the Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies (GERAIS)
  10. details of an officer (or officers) who can be contacted about access to our information or documents under the FOI Act. The contact for FOI and the IPS for AIATSIS is:

Director Executive
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
GPO Box 553
Canberra ACT 2601
executivecoordination@aiatsis.gov.au

Other information to be published under the plan

We will publish additional information in accordance with section 8(4) of the FOI Act.

IPS Accountability

We will review our compliance with the Information Publication Scheme each year and update new IPS information as soon as it is available for publication. We will ensure that all documentation conforms to WCAG 2.0.

Last updated: 16 November 2023