OIC Training and Events: Office of the Information Commissioner

The FOI Fundamentals Series consists of eight online modules and is aimed at State and local government officers dealing with FOI in their agency.  The material covered throughout the series includes the material from the FOI Coordinators Workshop, previously offered in-house at the OIC’s premises.

Participants complete the program at their own pace at any time once enrolled.

This course is available for Western Australian State and local government officers.

NOTE: Currently there is no certificate offered for completion of the FOI Fundamentals Series.

To register, complete the online registration form below.

Target Audience:  Officer who have responsibility for information access processes and decisions within their agencies. It is appropriate for those who are new to freedom of information, or those who would like a refresher to ensure that their agency’s processes and policies continue to accord with best practice.

Purpose:  To introduce participants to the objects and the principles of the FOI Act and the major features of the legislation. Coverage includes: introduction to the FOI Act; the role of decision-makers; FOI applications; exemptions; consultation with third parties; charges; notices of decision and review; amendment of records; publication of information; and statistics and reporting.

Outcome:  Participants will be able to explain the intent of the FOI Act, apply the principles, and assist applicants gain access to documents, where appropriate.

Duration:  1 day, we take a break but do not provide lunch.

Cost:  free

2025 FOI Coordinators Workshops

Register for Wednesday 30 July 2025 9.00 am- 4.30 pm

Register for Wednesday 24 September 2025 9.00 am - 4.30 pm

Register for Wednesday 26 November 2025 9.00 am - 4.30 pm

Numbers are limited.

To be notified of any new training opportunities, complete the online form below.

Target Audience: Decision-makers in State or local government

Purpose: To enhance decision-makers’ skills and confidence in writing a notice of decision that complies with the Freedom of Information Act 1992. Participants will be expected to already have a basic understanding of the requirements of the FOI Act. Participants will be provided with pre-workshop reading to assist their preparation. The workshop will be interactive using written exercises and discussion.

Note that the material covered will be the similar in each Decision-Writing Workshop. It is not appropriate for an individual to register for multiple Decision-Writing Workshops.

Outcome: Participants will be aware of the requirements for writing a valid notice of decision and strategies to ensure compliance with those requirements.

Cost: Free

Duration: 3.5 hours, including 20 minute break mid-workshop.

2025 FOI Decision Writing Workshops

Register for Wednesday 27 August 2025, 9.00 am – 12.30 pm

Register for Wednesday 29 October 2025, 9.00 am – 12.30 pm

To be notified of any new training opportunities, complete the online form below.

The OIC will continue to offer 50-minute Zoom webinars for State and local government officers in 2025. These are held via Zoom, for WA State and local government officers.  These seminars provide the opportunity to hear from OIC staff on the various aspects of the obligations and opportunities under the FOI Act. 

Upcoming FOI Wednesday Webinars

To be notified of any new upcoming webinars, complete the online form below.

Past FOI Wednesday Webinars

• Setting up an access application and your agency’s processes for success - a discussion of ways that agencies can set up their processes in order to assist people to access documents promptly and at the lowest reasonable cost in accordance with the requirements of the FOI Act.
• Up Close and Personal: Considering personal information in three scenarios  a consideration of the personal information exemption in Schedule 1 of the FOI Act in the context of applying exemption in different scenarios.
• Third Party Case Studies - an examination of a number of the Information Commissioner’s published decisions that have considered the role and/or views of third parties. How can these decisions assist you in dealing with third parties?
• Let the Sunshine In – a discussion with Professor Peter Coaldrake AO to mark International Access to Information Day - a live online discussion between Professor Peter Coaldrake AO and WA Information Commissioner, Catherine Fletcher. This session covered the findings and implications of the 2022 Coaldrake Review of culture and accountability in the Qld Public Sector, in order to provide some learnings for the WA public sector.

If you missed a live webinar and you would like to view a recording, contact us at advice_and_awareness@oic.wa.gov.au to request a link.

Briefings and in-house training sessions for agencies and community groups may be available on request. For enquiries, contact us at 61 8 6551 7888 or email info@OIC.wa.gov.au