The Freedom of Information Act 1991 (FOI Act) provides members of the public with a legally enforceable right of access to information held by South Australian Government agencies, subject to certain restrictions (or exemptions) that are set out within the legislation.

The following information statement for the SA Housing Authority is published pursuant to Section 9 of the FOI Act.

Structure and functions of the SA Housing Authority (the Authority)

Through the South Australian Housing Trust Act 1995, the South Australian Housing Trust Board of Management is responsible to the Minister for Human Services overseeing the operations of the SA Housing Authority.

The Authority is a statutory body led by a Chief Executive, who oversees five divisions:

  • Strategy and Governance
  • Portfolio Planning and Asset management
  • Customers and Services
  • Finance and Investment
  • People and Safety

The Authority’s services are provided from various locations around the State.

Functions affecting the public

The Authority plays a key role in enabling and supporting the state's modern, multi-provider housing system, and in establishing an environment that promotes shared responsibility and ownership.

As well as creating new affordable and social housing stock across the state, the Authority facilitates the provision of:

  • Public housing
  • Rent and bond assistance for private rental
  • Emergency accommodation
  • Homelessness services

Further information about the Authority can be found in our Annual Reports.

Public participation in our policy development and the exercise of our functions

The Authority regularly seeks external expertise and community opinion in the development of policy.  This may be through advisory committees, peak bodies/sector representatives, or active community consultation.

We put our customers and communities at the centre of everything we do, so that we can build a culturally and socially inclusive housing market that provide better housing outcomes for South Australians.

Types of documents held by SA Housing Authority

The Authority holds a wide variety of documents that fall broadly into the categories described below:

  • customer records (e.g. case notes, payment and debt records)
  • property records (e.g., rates information, housing maintenance work orders and invoices)
  • corporate files containing correspondence, memoranda, minutes etc relating to our operations
  • accounting and financial reports related to our business activities
  • personnel files relating to our employees
  • internal policies, procedures, and guidelines
  • general administrative instructions and industrial circulars
  • general publications including annual reports, books, discussion and background papers, reports, reviews, serial publications, pamphlets, posters, greetings and common phrases, surveys, strategies, directories, evaluations, assessments and proposals

Documents available for inspection at the Authority in accordance with the provisions of another Act

Under the Housing Improvement Act 2016, the Authority maintains a register containing:

  • the address of each residential premises to which an order or notice applies
  • in the case of residential premises to which a rent control notice applies – the maximum rent fixed for the premise

The register can be accessed online.

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Documents available free of charge from the Authority

Many publications by the Authority are available without charge and can be accessed online. Requests for documents can also be made via email to housingcustomers@sa.gov.au

Documents available free of charge include the following:

  • pamphlets
  • application forms for services
  • fact sheets
  • policies

Policy documents

The SA Housing Authority maintains a number of policy documents,  View a list of policies

Requesting access to documents under the FOI Act

In accordance with Section 13 of the FOI Act, an application for access to records held by the department, including records concerning personal affairs, must:

  • be in writing; and
  • specify that it is made under the FOI Act; and
  • provide sufficient detail to enable the identification of the document(s); and
  • show an Australian address for the service of notices; and
  • be accompanied by the prescribed application fee – note that additional processing charges may be incurred, depending on the nature and complexity of the request; and
  • specify the preferred form of access (e.g. provision of a hard copy or inspection at a pre-arranged time and location); and
  • be lodged at an office of the agency.

An application for access to records held by the department may be downloaded FOI - Application for Access to Documents form

A fee reduction may be granted in circumstances prescribed by the Freedom of Information (Fees and Charges Regulations) 2018

Requesting the amendment of documents

In accordance with Section 31 of the FOI Act, an application for the amendment of an agency's records concerning a person's personal affairs must:

  • be in writing; and
  • specify that it is made under the FOI Act; and
  • provide sufficient detail to enable the identification of the document(s) to which access has been given; and
  • contain information showing why it is believed the document(s) is incomplete, incorrect, out-of-date or misleading; and
  • must be accompanied by such information as is necessary to complete the agency's records or bring them up to date; and
  • show an Australian address for the service of notices; and
  • be lodged at an office of the agency

An application for the amendment of personal records held by the department may be downloaded FOI - Request for Amendment form

No application fee is payable in respect of an application for the amendment of records.

Where to send applications

Applications for access to documents, or for amendment of personal records held by the department, should be addressed to:

FOI Officer
SA Housing Authority
GPO Box 1669
Adelaide SA 5001

Telephone:  0436 280 426

Applications may also be lodged electronically, by emailing them to HousingFreedomofInformation@sa.gov.au

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