The IPC celebrates Information Awareness Week 2025

This year, Information Awareness Week (IAW) is on 17 – 21 March 2025. During IAW, information professionals across Australia get together to promote modern and improved practices of managing information. 

The 2025 IAW theme is ‘AI and IM – Empowering intelligent futures across all domains,’ focusing on how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming in information management (IM), the implications of AI for how information is managed and accessed, and how information professionals can ensure information maintains its integrity.

NSW public sector agencies are increasingly utilising new technologies such as AI and digital platforms to carry out their functions and provide services to the public. In using these new technologies and digital platforms, agencies must determine how to best capture, store and make records available. 

Technologies such as AI, allow citizens to have more convenient transactions with government, are changing the way government handles information, and should make it easier for citizens to access government information. 

NSW citizens expect that AI should be used safely and securely, and in a way that is consistent with their information access rights.

During the week, the National Archives of Australia will be hosting various events highlighting the connection between artificial intelligence and information management.

In recognition of IAW, the IPC has highlighted resources that can assist citizens in understanding more about their rights under information access legislation in NSW.

• Open Data guideline
  Open data means simply that information an organisation holds that is stored digitally should be made freely available to the community. This is usually done by making a digitised dataset accessible from the organisation’s website. Anyone who accesses and downloads the data is then free to use it, rearrange it and publish it as they wish. They are not restricted in doing so by principles of copyright or original authorship or ownership.
• Checklist – Tips for framing your information access application
  An agency may refuse to deal with your GIPA application if dealing with the application causes an unreasonable and substantial diversion of resources for the agency. Therefore, it is important that your request for information under the GIPA Act is described clearly and specifically. This will enable an agency to better understand what information you seek and deal with the application.
• Simplified guide to information access
  This fact sheet can assist citizens in making an application for information to NSW government agencies under the Government Information (Public Access) Act (or GIPA Act).
• Information Access Easy English Guides
  These fact sheets have been developed to provide members of the public with simple information they need to understand their information access rights. 
• Animation – e-Governance and Digital Government 
  Government service delivery in NSW is increasingly digital, and more information is being collected, stored and applied using digital technology. Modern democratic governments allow citizens to participate in decision-making and they must be accountable.
• Animation – Artificial Intelligence, e-Governance and access
  Increasingly, government information is held digitally, and this information and other data is used to make important decisions about services and policies. These decisions can also be made using technology including AI.
• Animation – Ways to access government held information in NSW
  This animation aims to assist citizens in understanding the four pathways they can take to seek access to information held by NSW public sector agencies.
• Informal release of information frequently asked questions
  This fact sheet is designed to address issues or questions you may have when considering asking for information from an agency informally or when an agency offers to release information informally.

For more information on IAW and events near you, visit the IAW webpage.