PSR’s Information Publication Scheme (IPS)
This agency plan outlines the mechanisms and procedures PSR is required to undertake in managing and making information available.
In accordance with section 8(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act), PSR has prepared its Information Publication Scheme (IPS) Agency Plan.
Purpose
The purpose of this plan is to:
- Assist PSR in planning and developing its contribution to the IPS;
- Show what information the agency proposes to publish, how and to whom the information will be published and how PSR will otherwise comply with the IPS.
Objectives
This Information Publication Scheme Plan outlines the mechanisms and procedures PSR is required to undertake in managing and making available information. This includes:
- Effectively and efficiently manage its information holdings that are relevant to the IPS;
- Identify all information required to be published, including this plan, under the IPS and identify additional information that can appropriately be published as its ‘optional information’;
- Ensure that online content conforms with the Government’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (V2)
- Regularly review information published under the IPS to ensure it remains complete, accurate and up-to-date;
- Ensure that the information published under the IPS is discoverable, searchable, understandable and reusable; and
- Develop a mechanism and procedures to measure the success of PSR’s IPS;
Implementing the Information Publication Scheme
SES responsibility for the IPS
PSR’s Executive Officer has oversight of PSR’s implementation of the IPS.
FOI webpage
The FOI page on the PSR website will be the main portal through which members of the public can access the information made available by PSR under its IPS.
Disclosure Log
The disclosure log provides access* to documents disclosed by PSR pursuant to an FOI request by listing summary information such as title, date of release, including number of pages and descriptions of the types of documents released. The publication of this information is in accordance with section 11C of the FOI Act.
*the term ‘access’ can mean that the document/s are either available on the website, or that they are available through a process or contact information provided on the website.
Agency’s Structure
PSR’s organisational structure within the Health Portfolio is based around the need to protect the integrity of Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The organisation chart will assist members of the public to better understand our structure.
Statutory appointments
PSR related statutory appointments ( list attached ) will provide greater transparency about the management and roles of PSR.
PSR’s approach to a review of its information holdings
PSR will endeavour to publish as much information as possible, consistent with the objects of the FOI Act. Our publication practices must, however, be balanced against its obligation to respect and maintain Confidential Commercial Information (CCI) and Personal Information.
PSR often deals with highly sensitive personal and commercial information. This type of information will only be published in situations where the Public Interest Test applies or consent is provided by the owner of the information. The public and stakeholders should remain confident that any CCI and/or personal information in the possession of PSR will be protected from release to the extent that the FOI Act applies.
PSR will ensure that its documents published under the IPS are easily discoverable and searchable. PSR’s website is user friendly in respect to navigation, and contains an easily accessible search function. PSR will add a link for the IPS page on the main page of its website for ease of navigation. This will enable users to immediately locate the IPS page where all documents will be stored in above named categories.
PSR will publish on its website a list of any IPS documents that are impracticable to publish online. The website will state that a person seeking access to any of these documents may contact the FOI Unit to arrange access.
PSR may impose a charge in circumstances where a request for a document(s) is voluminous. These charges will be consistent with charges in the Freedom of Information (Charges) Regulations 1982 (which generally apply to access requests under Part III of the FOI Act). PSR encourages persons to print copies of required documents, if available for download on the PSR website, as opposed to requesting PSR to do so
How to access information
PSR will publish its IPS information holdings to members of the public either on its website, via links on its website or by advising other details of how the information may be obtained.
Wherever possible, PSR will provide online content in a format that can be searched, copied and transformed.
At this point, PSR does not intend to publish information to other sources or websites. Should there be a substantial demand or necessity for this, PSR will ascertain the suitability of this request.
PSR will, so far as possible, make its IPS information holdings available for reuse on open licensing terms.
Information required to be published
PSR will publish all documents required under sections 8, 8(A), 8(C) and 8(D) of the FOI Act. This includes information about PSR’s functions, decision making powers and operational information including rules, guidelines, practices and precedents that assist the department to make decisions or recommendations affecting the public.
PSR will publish:
The agency’s functions and decision making powers
- Roles
- Legislation (Health Insurance Act 1973 only)
- Policy
- Reviews (No current reviews in progress)
Information provided to Parliament
Optional Information
PSR will publish on the IPS section of its website other information that it holds (in addition to the information published under s 8(2)), taking into account the objects of the FOI Act (s 8(4)).
PSR will publish as much information as possible to comply with the FOI Act and in the interests of full disclosure.
Administering the agency IPS
PSR will publish information to its full capacity. PSR will be as proactive as possible in publishing both optional and operational information. In order to comply with the reforms, PSR will initially publish all mandated information. PSR’s objective is to publish all possible information in the interests of full disclosure of the documents used by the department in its functions and decision-making.
In line with the guidelines published by the Office Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), PSR will regularly update and maintain the information framework and be prepared for the OAIC’s audit in the 5-year review period.
Review
PSR will ensure that all information is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. All line areas will be responsible for auditing their operational documentation. PSR will endeavour to maintain an accurate register of information.
PSR’s objective is to ensure transparency and openness with the public in its decision-making processes. PSR will ensure that comments made by the public, in relation to this Agency Plan will be taken into account and the plan amended as appropriate.
Feedback on PSR’s Agency Plan can be forwarded to:
Post:
FOI Coordinator
PO Box 7152
Canberra Business Centre
FYSHWICK ACT 2609
AUSTRALIA
Telephone:
(02) 6120 9100 (within Australia)
+61 2 6120 9100 (International)
Email: foi@psr.gov.au
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