Freedom of information

ESCOSA strategy image 2020-2023

 

This statement is published in accordance with section 9(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 1991 (FOI Act). Subject to certain restrictions, the FOI Act gives members of the public a legally enforceable right to access information held by South Australian Government entities. A comprehensive introduction to freedom of information can be found on the State Records website.

Structure and functions

A description of the structure and functions of the Essential Services Commission (Commission), including ways in which they affect members of the public, can be found on the Commission's website under About us, Organisation structure, and in the Commission’s current Annual report and Strategy.

Public participation

The public has the opportunity to participate in the Commission’s processes for delivery of its functions through direct interaction and the making of representations and submissions to the Commission. The Commission has issued a Charter of Consultation and Regulatory Practice, which sets out its consultative processes in further detail.

Documents held by the Commission

Documents held by the Commission fall broadly into the two categories described below. While most are available in hard copy, some are only available electronically. The listing in these categories does not necessarily mean all documents are accessible in full or in part under the FOI Act.

Information obtained by the Commission under Part 5 of the Independent Industry Regulator Act 1999 and Part 5 of the Essential Services Commission Act 2002 that is classified by the Commission as being confidential under section 30(1) of the respective Acts is not liable to disclosure under the FOI Act.

Categories of documents:

  • Internal administrative information for functions associated with the areas of Corporate Governance, Legal, Financial Management, Human Resources, Information Technology, Records Management and General Administration.
  • Regulatory documents associated with the functions of the Retailer Energy Efficiency Scheme Administration, Pricing and Access, Consumer Protection, Industry Monitoring and Analysis, Licensing, Compliance and Enforcement, Technical, and Research and Advisory.

The Commission has in place appropriate corporate policies to support its functions, including policies in relation to human resources, finance, information technology, work health and safety and general corporate matters. A list of the Commission’s policy documents will be provided on request.

The majority of the Commission’s publications are available from the Commission’s website. Hard copies of documents published on the website are generally available free of charge. Requests for copies of documents (or for the amendment of documents containing information regarding the personal affairs of a member of the public) can be made to the Commission’s Accredited FOI Officer (Mon - Fri, 9am-5pm):

Via telephone:  Freecall 1800 633 592 or (08) 8463 4444

Via email:        [email protected]

Via mail:          GPO Box 2605 ADELAIDE   SA   5001

In person:        Level 1, 151 Pirie Street ADELAIDE   SA   5000

Making an application

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

  • be made in writing (you may choose to write a letter or use the application form available from the State Records website)
  • specify that the application is made under the Freedom of Information Act 1991
  • be accompanied by the relevant application fee (exemptions apply for Members of Parliament and pensions or health card holders)
  • 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, and
  • specify the desired type of access to the document, such as inspection of the document at an arranged location or having a copy made.


Making an application to amend a document

Applications can be made to amend a record held by the Commission concerning personal affairs if the record is incomplete, incorrect, misleading or out of date.

In accordance with the FOI Act, applications for amendment of documents held by the Commission must:

  • be made in writing (you may choose to write a letter or use the application form available from the State Records website)
  • 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, and
  • provide such information as is necessary in order for the records to be amended.

Applications under the FOI Act should be forwarded to:

The Accredited FOI Officer
Essential Services Commission of SA
GPO Box 2605
ADELAIDE   SA   5001

[email protected]

The Accredited FOI Officer can be telephoned on (08) 8463 4444.

You can also submit an application online at the following address: www.sa.gov.au/foi

Last reviewed September 2023