Information Commissioner releases NSW Community Attitudes Survey results for Right to Know Week NSW 2025
Today, the NSW Information Commissioner, Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM, published the results of the Information and Privacy Commission’s (IPC) latest survey of NSW community attitudes towards information access, as part of Right to Know Week NSW 2025.
The survey, conducted by Fiftyfive5, provides insights into the NSW community’s views about accessing government information under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act), including experiences in seeking access to information across the five IPC-oversighted sectors, including through formal access applications.
Overall, the results indicate that 96% of respondents believe the right to access government-held information is important ─ a 5% increase from 2024.
However, only 41% of respondents had heard of the GIPA Act, and half were unaware of their rights to access government information.
Awareness of access rights varies significantly depending on the type of government organisation. While 56% of respondents know they can access information from NSW government agencies (including public hospitals), only 20% are aware they have the same right with Ministers.
Pleasingly, 84% of respondents who attempted to access information from NSW government agencies (including public hospitals) or local councils received either full or partial access.
However, the success rate varied by sector, with universities having the highest success rate resulting in full or partial access at 91% and Ministers having lowest at only 67%. NSW state-owned corporations were similar with a success rate of 70%.
Information Commissioner, Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM, said, ‘The results from the 2025 Community Attitudes Survey provide an important insight into the community’s level of awareness and understanding of their information access rights.
‘While it is pleasing that 96% of respondents believe the right to access government-held information is important, the fact that only 41% are aware of the GIPA Act shows we have more work to do in raising awareness about the rights and pathways available to the public.’
For the first time this year, respondents were asked about what information individuals were likely to request in the next 2 years. 54% said they were likely to request personal information (eg, health, education, police records), while other types of information likely to be requested included spending and budgeting documents (31%), reports and data (28%), funding or grant decisions (28%), and environmental assessments and impact statements (26%).
Commissioner Croucher said, ‘While over half of respondents expect to request personal information in the next two years, only one in four anticipate seeking environmental data. ‘Considering our celebrations for Right to Know Week NSW focus on access to environmental information, these survey results are a timely opportunity to raise awareness about the critical role this information plays in shaping our communities, protecting our ecosystems, and preparing for climate-related challenge.
‘In the digital age, access to data about our natural and built environments is essential, not just for transparency, but for informed decision-making, community wellbeing and climate resilience.
‘I encourage the NSW community and NSW agencies to consider these findings and reflect on the importance of access to information and how this can support a culture of integrity.’
The full results from the Community Attitudes Survey can be downloaded via the IPC website.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
The Manager, Communications and Corporate Affairs on 0435 961 691 or email communications@ipc.nsw.gov.au
About the Information and Privacy Commission:
The Information and Privacy Commission NSW (IPC) is an independent integrity agency that supports the NSW Information Commissioner and the NSW Privacy Commissioner. Its vision is that privacy and access to government information are valued and protected n NSW. The Information Commissioner is the chief executive of the Commission.
About the NSW Information Commissioner
The NSW Information Commissioner’s statutory role includes promoting public awareness and understanding of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act); providing information, advice, assistance and training to agencies and the public; dealing with complaints about agencies; investigating agencies’ systems, policies and practices; and reporting on compliance with the GIPA Act.
The Government Information (Information Commissioner) Act 2009 (GIIC Act) establishes the procedures for appointing the Information Commissioner and sets out the Commissioner's powers and functions. It outlines the method for people to complain about the conduct of agencies when undertaking their duties under the GIPA Act, and the way in which the Information Commissioner may deal with the complaint. The GIIC Act also enables the Information Commissioner to investigate and report on how agencies carry out their functions under the GIPA Act.
For further information about the IPC visit our website at http://www.ipc.nsw.gov.au
