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Freedom of Information Statement

This TAFE SA FOI Information Statement is published pursuant to Section 9 of the Freedom of Information Act 1991 (SA) (the FOI Act).

The FOI Act provides members of the public with a legally enforceable right of access to documents held by the SA Government, subject to certain restrictions in accordance with the FOI Act.

The FOI Act also enables a person to apply for the amendment of records concerning their personal affairs if they consider them to be incomplete, incorrect, out-of-date or misleading or to seek a review of a determination made under the FOI Act.

Structure and functions

TAFE SA was established as a Statutory Corporation under the TAFE SA Act 2012 (the Act) on 1 November 2012.

Under the Act, an independent Board of Directors is appointed to govern TAFE SA on behalf of the State Government.  The Board of Directors is charged with building the TAFE SA brand, growing the reputation for quality and achieving specific targets and outcomes.

Operationally, TAFE SA and its activities are managed by the Chief Executive, TAFE SA and the TAFE SA  Senior Executive Team.

TAFE SA’s vocational education and training services are provided throughout the State, including at metropolitan, regional and remote locations. TAFE SA also provides training services internationally.

TAFE SA is the largest provider of vocational education and training in South Australia delivering courses to over 47,000 students per year across the State. TAFE SA offers training in more than 80 activity and industry-related areas with a wide range of quality courses and flexible study options.

TAFE SA plays a major role in the development of South Australia’s workforce with 87% of graduates finding employment or engaging in further study. TAFE SA works with industry and business to deliver relevant, high-quality, vocational education and training to better link skills and training with job opportunities, ensuring sustainable employment within the State.

The functions of TAFE SA affect the public through its delivery of vocational education and training services, including those delivered through partnerships.

The TAFE SA TAFE SA Strategic Plan outlines priority areas for improvement within the department and how they will be achieved.

For further information about TAFE SA, please visit the website.

TAFE SA Policies

Formulation of TAFE SA’s policies

TAFE SA policy formulation is the responsibility of the TAFE SA Board and/or TAFE SA Management Team. Policy formulation processes do not include public participation.

TAFE SA policy documents

A number of TAFE SA policy documents are freely available on the internet. These documents can be accessed without lodging an FOI application.

Documents held within TAFE SA

Documents held by TAFE SA fall broadly into the following categories, either in hard copy or electronic formats.

  • Corporate files containing correspondence, memoranda and minutes;
  • Policies, procedures, guidelines, frameworks;
  • Employee records;
  • Student records;
  • Finance, expenditure, procurement, contracts;
  • Annual reports, strategic plans;
  • Administrative records;
  • Documents relating to the functions of TAFE SA;

Some of these documents may be available free of charge or by purchasing the document. However, it should be noted that some of the documents that fall within these category types may not be available to a third party, either in whole or in part or at all depending on content. 

Documents available free of charge from TAFE SA which do not require an FOI application

(search via the TAFE SA website or contact the TAFE SA Information Line

  • Personal information relating to a TAFE SA staff member or student (in general and upon request by and/or with permission of the subject person);
  • Certain policy documents;
  • Brochures;
  • Pamphlets;
  • Posters;
  • Information packs;
  • Internet
    • downloadable TAFE SA Course Guide and education resources;
    • publications, including the TAFE SA Ministerial Charter, recent TAFE SA Annual Reports, the TAFE SA Code of Practice, Student Service Charter and the TAFE SA Strategic Plan
    • news stories; and
    • policy documents.

Documents available for inspection (whether as part of a public register or otherwise)

Other documents may be available through the FOI process.

Making an FOI Application

Applications for access to documents

In accordance with the FOI Act, applications for access to documents held by TAFE SA must:

  • be made in writing (you may choose to apply online or use the FOI application form template or write a letter
  • specify that the application is made under the Freedom of Information Act 1991
  • be accompanied by any appropriate FOI application fee (see “Application fees and processing charges below)
  • specify an address in Australia to which information can be sent
  • clearly identify the documents being sought or the matter to which they pertain
  • specify whether the documents contain information of a personal nature
  • specify the desired type of access to the document, such as inspection of the document at an arranged location or having a copy made
  • you may be asked to provide evidence of your identity.

Applications to amend a record

Applications can be made to amend a record held by TAFE SA concerning personal affairs if they are incomplete, incorrect, misleading or out of date.

In accordance with the Act, applications for amendment of records held by TAFE SA must:

  • be made in writing (you may choose to apply online or use the FOI application form template or write a letter
  • specify that the application is made under the Freedom of Information Act 1991
  • specify an address in Australia to which information can be sent
  • clearly identify the record to be amended
  • provide such information as is necessary in order for the records to be amended.

Dealing with an application to access documents or amend records under the FOI Act

A valid application to access documents or amend records received by TAFE SA will be dealt with by an Accredited FOI Officer.

Applications for review of determinations made under FOI

An applicant who is dissatisfied with a determination made by TAFE SA under the FOI Act has a right to apply for the review of the determination in accordance with Section 29 (Internal Review – which will be conducted by an accredited FOI Officer) or section 39 (External Review – by the State Ombudsman) of the FOI Act.

Application fees and processing charges

Current application fees and charges are detailed on the State Records’ website.

Some applicants (Members of Parliament, concession cardholders and individuals whom can demonstrate payment of fees and charges would cause financial hardship) may be exempt from the payment of such fees and charges in accordance with the Freedom of Information (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2018.

Where to send applications

Applications (other than for an external review process) can lodged:

  • by mailing/emailing the application to the:

Accredited FOI Officer
TAFE SA
GPO Box 1872
ADELAIDE SA 5000
Email

Student Hub (c/- Library)
TAFE SA Adelaide City Campus
120 Currie Street Adelaide
(between the hours of 9am and 5pm on any Business Day, excluding Public Holidays).

Contact details for Ombudsman SA

Phone: 8226 8699
Toll Free: 1800 182 150 (within SA)
Email: ombudsman@ombudsman.sa.gov.au

Contact details for South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT)

Phone: 1800 723 767
Email: sacat@sacat.sa.gov.au

An overview of how freedom of information operates in South Australia is available from State Records.

FOI Disclosure Log (recent non-personal FOI determinations made by TAFE SA)

In accordance with State Government policy (Premier and Cabinet Circular PC045), TAFE SA is required to publish an FOI Disclosure Log (see below) on its website.

This policy requires TAFE SA to publish details about FOI matters recently determined by TAFE SA under the FOI Act which are not related to the personal affairs of an individual, are not exempt under any of the exemption clauses contained in the FOI Act, are not defamatory in nature or are not in breach of confidentiality provisions.

FOI applicants should note that if an application is for non-personal details and access to documents (whether in whole or in part) is released as part of the FOI determination, details of the application and the documents (generally as released) may be published in the Disclosure Log below.

This policy only applies to documents released after 1 October 2017.

FOI applications referenced on the TAFE SA Disclosure Log will only be retained for 12 months from the date of publication.

Freedom of Information Disclosure Log

Date of publication to the Disclosure Log

Date of Determination

Applicant

Application Description

22/12/2023
8/12/2023Mr Lee Odenwalder MP
Documents between TAFE SA and the Minister/Minister’s Office relating to Campus Closures between 18 March 2018 and 31 December 2019.
19/2/202416/2/24 Hon. David Pisoni MPDocuments which outline data relevant to complaints made to TAFE SA about apprenticeship and traineeship training, specifically the number of complaints made to TAFE SA from apprentices and trainees, and also from employers, for each full year from 2018 to 2023 i.e. 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021,2022, 2023.
3/5/202430/4/2024Hon. John Gardner MP
Copies of briefings from TAFE SA to the Minister in July 2023 and relating to Upgrade to Mt Gambier Campus Facilities and Equipment, National Copyright Issues and the TAFE SA Regional Skills Development Fund.
26/9/2416/8/24Hon David PisoniDocuments relevant to the delivery of Electrotechnology - Certificate III, specifically briefings and correspondence/emails highlighting any issues, and or failures and complaints, with the delivery of training and units, and documents related to Electrotechnology - Certificate III and ASQA.

Access to any of these documents can be obtained by emailing the Accredited FOI Officer.

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