1. Policy statement
The Queensland Pharmacy Business Ownership Council (Council) is committed to the Queensland Government’s approach to give the community greater access to information. The Council is committed to transparency in providing access to information about our services, activities and business operations.
2. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to outline how the Council complies with its obligations under the Right to Information Act 2009 (RTI Act).
3. Scope
The policy applies to all employees, contractors and consultants within the Council.
4. Principles
The RTI Act creates an enforceable right of access to information in the government’s possession or control unless the information is exempt, or unless it is, on balance, contrary to the public interest to give access.
The Council will provide access to government-held information through administrative release unless there is a good reason not to, with applications under the RTI Act being necessary only as a ‘last resort’.
The legislative intent of the RTI Act is that it should be administered with a pro-disclosure bias. The Council may deal with an access application even if the RTI Act provides that it may refuse to deal with the application.
5. Requirements
5.1 Requesting information
Some information may be released administratively, without having to lodge a formal RTI application.
Administrative access may be given for the following information:
- Certain types of non-personal information devoid of sensitivity and confidentiality; and
- An individual’s own personal information but not that of another person unless consent has been provided.
Where a document contains the personal or commercial information of more than one person, the information will only be accessible through administrative access when all parties have given prior written consent.
To request administrative access, please contact:
Queensland Pharmacy Business Ownership Council
www.pboc.qld.gov.au Telephone: 07 3325 6200 Email: enquiries@pboc.qld.gov.au Mail: 3B. 85 Hudson Road, Albion, Qld, 4010
When making the request for administrative access the following should be provided:
- Your full name and date of birth
- The postal address where you want the information sent
- Details about the documents you are requesting
- Proof of identity (such as a certified copy of your driver’s licence, passport, birth certificate, Medicare or health benefits card).
Accessing information under the RTI Act
If the information is not made available through administrative access, a person may make an application to access documents held by the Council through an RTI application.
The RTI Act gives the right to apply for access, with a decision on access being subject to consideration of any exemptions and a public interest balancing test.
For more information about the RTI Act visit the Queensland Government’s Right to Information website at www.rti.qld.gov.au
Complete the Queensland Government’s Right to Information and Information Privacy Access Application form www.smartservice.qld.gov.au/services/information-requests/apply.action.
5.2 Fees and charges
RTI applications must include the application fee (this fee cannot be waived), and charges may also apply for processing (if your application takes longer than five hours to process) and access (no access charges if documents are provided by email or USB).
Processing and/or access fees may be waived in certain circumstances.
Fees and charges for RTI applications can be viewed on the RTI website.
5.3 Statutory timeframes
Valid RTI applications must be processed within 25 business days of receipt. A further 10 business days can be added if consultation with third parties is required.
The Council may negotiate a further extension of time with the applicant if additional processing time is required. This extension of time does not affect an applicant’s right to review.
5.4 Amending personal information held by government
You can apply to have any of your personal information held by the Queensland Government amended if you believe it is:
- Inaccurate
- Incomplete
- Out-of-date
- Misleading
A copy of the amendment application form is available on the Queensland whole of government website at www.rti.qld.gov.au.
5.5 Review rights
If you are dissatisfied with Council’s decision under the RTI Act, you can apply to have that decision examined under internal review by an officer within the Council of equal or higher level. Alternatively, you may apply for an external review direct to the Officer of the Information Commissioner, irrespective of whether the Council has internally reviewed the decision.
An application to have a decision internally reviewed must be made within 20 business days of the date of the letter communicating the original decision. If you remain dissatisfied with the Council’s internal review decision, you may still request an external review by the Information Commissioner.
For external review, you must apply in writing to the Information Commissioner within 20 business days of the date of the internal review decision, or within 20 business days of the original decision if you elect to bypass internal review and proceed direct to external review.
6. Legislation
This policy does not replace the need to read or refer to the RTI Act.
- Right to Information Act 2009
- Information Privacy Act 2009
- Public Records Act 2023
- Human Rights Act 2019
- Pharmacy Business Ownership Act 2024
The Council is committed to respecting, protecting and promoting human rights in its decision-making and actions pursuant to the Human Rights Act 2019. This policy has been developed with reference to compatibility with human rights.
7. Authority
This policy has been approved by the Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Pharmacy Business Ownership Council and is consistent with the legislation, codes, and documents listed.
8. Effective Date
8 January 2026.