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DPC FOI Part II Statements

The Freedom of Information (FOI) Part II statements below provide a snapshot of the types of documents held by the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) and how to locate them, as well as an overview of the functions of the department. DPC makes as much information publicly available as possible, reducing the need for members of the public to request access to documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic) (FOI Act). Information can be accessed publicly on this website, and in printed material available for viewing or purchase.

The statements below are a statutory requirement under the FOI Act. The purpose of the statements is to:

For more information contact us.

For more information about Freedom of Information in Victoria, visit the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner’s website.

Information statements

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  1. 1Organisational structure and functions

As the lead department of the Victorian Public Service, DPC coordinates the delivery of the government’s agenda and works across government to promote the public interest and create public value. DPC supports the Victorian Government’s commitment to a stronger, fairer and better Victoria by pursuing excellence in whole of Victorian Government (WoVG) services delivery and reform. The two central responsibilities of DPC are to advise the government on emerging policy issues and to review the impact of government decisions.

DPC supports the following ministers:

DPC is comprised of four main groups that advise and support the functioning of government. A brief description of each of these groups is provided below.

The CLG Group is comprised of the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Governance and Cabinet Office branches. These branches work together to deliver legal, legislation and governance expertise to the Premier and relevant Ministers.

OGC provides legal and policy advice, including in the areas of administrative, constitutional, and corporate law. OGC’s policy work primarily focuses upon the public sector, the electoral system and subordinate legislation. OGC also supports DPC in developing legislative and regulatory proposals. The FOI and Privacy team sits within OGC.

The Governance Branch promotes good governance and public administration, high quality decision and policy making, government integrity and accountability, and trust in public institutions.

Cabinet Office works to uphold and support the highest quality of government decision-making and coordination to facilitate consideration of issues of great importance to the State and the Victorian community.

Social Policy and Intergovernmental Relations (SPIR)

The SPIR Group combines social policy expertise with coordination of the State’s intergovernmental relations. The group provides policy advice on the following portfolios:

Economic Policy and State Productivity (EPSP)

The EPSP Group leads economic policy advice to the Premier and Cabinet. EPSP works in collaboration with relevant departments and agencies to ensure a coordinated WoVG approach to policy and projects in the areas of:

First Peoples – State Relations (FPSR)

The FPSR Group is responsible for an extensive program of nation-leading work in the areas of cultural rights, self-determination, treaty and truth with First Peoples. FPSR recognises Victoria’s First Peoples as the self-determining drivers of Aboriginal affairs in Victoria and is committed to building ongoing, just and respectful relationships between self-determining First Peoples and the State. The group is also committed to promoting Aboriginal leadership and cultural heritage management.

Visit the organisation structure on the DPC website for more information.

Information relating to DPC’s functions and current work can be found on the DPC website.

Resource locations

  1. 2Categories of documents

DPC produces many documents in the course of its work. The types of documents that DPC handles include:

For other information that is available on request, see Appendix 3 of the 2022-23 Annual Report.

If you are searching for a specific topic, contact us.

  1. 3Freedom of information arrangements

Under the FOI Act, all members of the public have the right to request documents held and produced by Victorian Government departments and agencies, subject to certain exceptions and exemptions. For more information about what agencies you can request documents from under the FOI Act, visit the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner’s (OVIC) website.

How to make an FOI request to DPC

To make a valid request for access to documents held by DPC, the request must:

To avoid a decision to refuse access under section 25A, it can be useful to include a date range, specify the categories of documents (as discussed above) and be as specific as possible. If DPC believes your request is too voluminous, or if we are unable to clearly identify the information or document you are requesting, we will contact you to clarify the request.

If you are requesting documents about your personal affairs information, you should provide photo identification.

A request for access to information can be made online or via post to the following address:

DPC has been appointed to process requests made under the FOI Act on behalf of the Office of the Premier.

Assessing requests

Once DPC has received the request, it will be assessed for validity under relevant sections of the FOI Act, including section 17. If your request is not valid, we will contact you to assist you in making the request valid. If your request is valid, we will begin processing it.

In reaching a decision, DPC must consider whether there are any exemptions to releasing information or documents under the FOI Act or any other relevant legislation. Exemptions are primarily located in Part IV of the FOI Act within sections 28 to 38.

Access charges may apply to the search, photocopying, retrieval and creation of documents. DPC will inform you of any access charges that may apply to your request and consult with you in this regard.

Once DPC has finished assessing your request, you will be provided with a decision letter. Where an exemption applies to a document, either in full or in part, this decision letter will explain the reason for the exemption.

DPC is required to make an FOI decision within 30 days of receiving a valid request, unless that timeframe is extended by agreement with the applicant, or in circumstances where the department is required to consult under the FOI Act.

OVIC is an independent regulator with combined oversight of information access, information privacy, and data protection. If you wish to seek more information about FOI in Victoria, make a complaint, or seek a review of an FOI decision, visit OVIC’s website.

  1. 4Publications

You can access DPC publications through the following links:

  1. 5Rules, policies and procedures

There are rules, policies and procedures in place to govern the daily operations of the department, for example:

  1. 6Report literature

Please find below examples of where DPC publishes final reports and records of decisions relating to policy:

Updated 23 July 2024

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