Our Information Publication Scheme plan

The AFP is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act) and is required to comply with the Information Publication Scheme (IPS) requirements. This plan describes how we propose to do this, as required by s 8(1) of the FOI Act. The AFP IPS plan explains how we comply with these requirements.

Purpose

The purpose of the AFP IPS Plan is to:

assist us in continuing its contribution to the IPS
show what information we propose to publish, how and to whom the information will be published and how it will otherwise comply with the IPS requirements (s 8(1)).

Objectives

The objectives in the AFP IPS Plan are to outline the mechanisms and procedures to:

manage information captured by the IPS
proactively identify and publish all information required to be published (s 8(2))
proactively identify and publish any optional information to be published (s 8(4))
review and ensure on a regular basis that information published under the IPS is accurate, up to date and complete (s 8B)
ensure that information published under the IPS is easily discoverable, understandable, machine-readable, re-useable and transformable.

Establishing and administering the AFP’s IPS entry

We implement and administer the IPS by:

setting AFP policies, standards and procedures for IPS publishing
publishing content approved for publication on this website
maintaining the IPS information architecture for this website
reviewing and ensuring IPS content on this website is current, accurate and complies with the legislative framework.

We foster a culture, in which appropriate proactive disclosure of its information holdings is embraced, leading to successful implementation and administration of the IPS. This is in recognition that public sector information is a national resource managed for public purposes.

Accessing information

The Freedom of Information page on this website outlines how members of the public can access our IPS content.

IPS content is published on this website under the following headings:

AFP IPS Plan (s 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))
AFP 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 arrangements (s 8(2)(f))
Our finances (s 8(4))
Our publications (ss 8(2)(j) and 8(4))
Contact us (s 8(2)(i)).

To ensure our IPS content is easily discoverable, understandable and machine-readable, we will:

wherever possible, provide online content in a format that can be searched, copied and transformed
provide a search function on this website
establish links to the AFP IPS Plan
seek and respond to any feedback about whether the IPS content is easily discoverable, understandable and machine-readable
enabled the ability for feedback on the IPS by contacting our FOI section at foi@afp.gov.au
ensure that all documentation that is published under the IPS conforms with accessibility requirements.

Information required to be published under the IPS

We will publish content items required to be published under the IPS (s 8(2)) in the IPS section of this website.

Mandatory publishing categories

We will publish these content items under the following headings:

1. AFP IPS Plan

2. Who we are

This includes information about us, our organisation chart, Enterprise Agreements and information about statutory appointments.

3. What we do

This outlines our functions and roles and includes our corporate plans and strategies.

We also publish rules, guidelines, practices and precedents relating to these functions and powers.

4. Our reports and responses to Parliament

This includes our annual reports, as well as any information that is routinely provided to Parliament (for example, Senate Orders).

5. Routinely requested information and FOI disclosure log

This includes information in documents which we routinely give access in response to FOI requests and information published under s 11C of the FOI Act.

6. Consultation arrangements

This includes information about how and to whom a comment may be submitted by members of the public, where we undertake public consultation on specific discussion papers we are responsible for.

7. Contact us

Information provided will include an email and address for this purpose. This won't change with staff movements.

Other publishing requirements

We also publish content on a regular basis for the following categories:

1. Our finances

This may include financial information relating to pay and grading structures, legal expenditure, procurement and grants.

2. Our publications

This may include our national guidelines, Commissioner’s orders, memorandums of understanding, better practice guides and other related documents.

Accessibility

Providing accessible content is important to us. It enhances the ability for users to access and engage with our content.

We will ensure, to the extent possible, that all online information we are required to publish under the IPS (s 8(2)) will conform with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2). Where information can't be published in accordance with the WCAG 2.2 guidelines, every effort will be made to provide content in the most accessible format as soon as practicable.

IPS compliance review

We will review the operation of our IPS from time to time, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Information Commissioner about IPS compliance review.

Feedback on the AFP IPS Plan can be sent:

by email: foi@afp.gov.au

by post:

Freedom of Information
Australian Federal Police
GPO Box 401
Canberra City ACT 2601