1. Purpose

The purpose of the information publication scheme agency plan is to:

  • assist the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) in administering and updating our information publication scheme (IPS) entry
  • facilitate public consultation and comment about our IPS entry
  • set out what information the APVMA proposes to publish, including how and to whom the information will be published
  • outline how the APVMA will otherwise comply with the IPS requirements.

2. Objectives

The APVMA’s objectives are to set out the mechanisms and procedures to:

  • effectively and efficiently manage our IPS entry
  • proactively identify and publish the information that is required to be published (including this plan) under the IPS
  • proactively identify and publish any other information to be published under the IPS
  • regularly review the information published under the IPS to ensure the APVMA’s IPS entry remains complete, accurate and up-to-date
  • endeavour to make the information published under the IPS discoverable, searchable, understandable and reusable
  • ensure that the format of all online content conforms with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (Version 2) WCAG 2.0
  • monitor and measure the success of the APVMA’s IPS entry by reference to community feedback and compliance review processes.

3. Administration of the APVMA’s IPS entry

The APVMA’s Freedom of Information (FOI) Team is responsible for leading and ensuring the APVMA’s compliance with the IPS.

Each program of the APVMA is responsible for identifying information holdings under their responsibility for publication to the APVMA IPS entry and providing that information to the Communications Team. The Communications Team coordinates the recording of the documents for publication in the register and the publication of the documents to apvma.gov.au. While the APVMA does not currently charge for copies of published documents, it encourages the community to access and print copies of documents published on the website.

Where the APVMA is requested to provide a printed copy of a voluminous document, a charge of 10 cents per page may be charged to cover partial costs of resources, as well as postage. A further charge may be incurred for documents subject to subscription or copyright and is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Documents that are impracticable to publish will be listed on the APVMA’s IPS entry along with details of how to request access to those documents. The APVMA may charge a person for accessing any IPS document that is impracticable to publish online, to reimburse specific reproduction costs or other specific incidental costs incurred in giving that access.

Documents that are not available on the APVMA’s website or IPS entry may be requested under the FOI Act. The APVMA’s website sets out the process for making a request, and that enquiries relating to FOI should be made to the FOI Team.

4. Information architecture

A link to the APVMA’s IPS entry and the FOI Disclosure Log is available on our website.

The public can also access certain documents in the APVMA’s possession in accordance with section 8W of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code, as scheduled to the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994.

In accordance with guidance issued by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), the APVMA’s IPS entry is published under the following headings:

5. Required information

  • Information Publication Scheme Agency Plan (section 8(2)(a))
  • Who we are (sections 8(2)(b) and 8(2)(d))
  • What we do (sections 8(2)(c) and 8(2)(j))
  • Our reports and responses to Parliament (sections 8(2)(e) and 8(2)(h))
  • Consultation arrangements (section 8(2)(f))
  • Routinely requested information (section 8(2)(g))
  • Disclosure Log (section 11C)
  • Contact us (section 8(2)(i)

6. Other information

  • Our priorities (section 8(4))
  • Our finances (section 8(4))
  • Our lists (section 8(4))
  • Our submissions (section 8(4))
  • Our policies (section 8(4))

To ensure the APVMA’s IPS entry and individual documents are easily discoverable, understandable and machine-readable, we have:

  • wherever possible, provided online content in a format that is discoverable and can be searched, copied and transformed
  • provided a search function on our website
  • established a feedback mechanism on every content page of our website.

The APVMA will, so far as possible, make our IPS information holdings available for reuse on open licensing terms.

Our PubCRIS database enables members of the public to access information about product names, registering companies, active constituents and product categories.

The APVMA does not routinely publish information to other sources or websites.

6.1. Required information

The APVMA publishes the following documents as required under section 8(2) of the FOI Act, to the IPS entry on our website.

6.1.1. The information publication scheme agency plan

This section includes a link to this information publication scheme agency plan.

6.1.2. Who we are

This section includes information about the APVMA and our structure, governance and statutory appointments.

6.1.3. What we do

This section includes information on the APVMA’s functions and decision-making powers. The APVMA also publishes guidelines, policies, practices and precedents relating to these functions.

6.1.4. Our reports and responses to parliament

This section includes the APVMA’s recent Annual Reports and other information tabled in parliament as appropriate.

6.1.5. Routinely requested information and the APVMA’s FOI disclosure log

This section includes documents that the APVMA routinely gives access to, and information published under section 11C, in response to requests for access under the FOI Act. The APVMA launched our FOI disclosure log in April 2011.

6.1.6. Consultation arrangements

This section includes information about how and to whom a comment may be submitted by members of the public, where the APVMA undertakes public consultation on a specific policy proposal.

6.1.7. Contact us

This section includes the contact details for our FOI Team, who can be contacted about access to the APVMA’s information holdings or requests for documents under the FOI Act.

6.2. Other information

The APVMA currently publishes a vast range of information on our website (in addition to the information published under section 8(2)), taking into account the objects of the IPS and the FOI Act.

The APVMA continues to publish as much information as possible in the interests of full disclosure of the information that guides our functions and decision-making processes.

In addition, the APVMA publishes the following documents under section 8(4) of the FOI Act, to the IPS entry on the APVMA’s website.

6.2.1. Our priorities

This section will include any corporate and strategic plans, assessments and reviews.

6.2.2. Our finances

This section will include any financial information on what we spend and how we spent it, including financial statements and information relating to pay and grading structures, procurements procedures, tendering and contracts.

6.2.3. Our lists

This section will include any APVMA contracts, and appointments information.

6.2.4. Our submissions

This section will include any submissions made by the APVMA to reviews, parliamentary committees and other agencies.

7. IPS compliance review

7.1. The APVMA’s approach to a review of its holdings

The APVMA endeavours to maintain a robust IPS entry. The agency plan is a living document and will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains relevant and to incorporate feedback.

All program areas will audit the operational documentation under their responsibility on a biannual basis, or sooner in the event that documentation is revised or a report of inaccurate information is made.

The APVMA will periodically audit the quality and accuracy of our IPS entry to ensure that published information accurately reflects the internal process and that the quality of the process reflects current legislation and scientific advances. The APVMA will periodically (but at least every 5 years) review the operation of our IPS in accordance with the guidelines issued by the OAIC relating to IPS compliance review.

8. Feedback

The APVMA strives to ensure transparency and openness with the public in our decision-making processes. The APVMA has ensured that comments made by the public, in relation to this agency plan have been taken into account.

We are committed to continuous improvement and will continue to welcome comments and suggestions in relation to this agency plan. Any comments and suggestions can be forwarded to:

FOI Team
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
GPO Box 3262
Sydney NSW 2001

Email: FOI@apvma.gov.au

Content last updated:
Content last reviewed: