There are two types of applications you can make:
The application forms can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.
Applications must be made in writing and include sufficient detail to identify the correct medical record.
Completed application forms can be emailed to: foi@monashhealth.org
Alternatively, you can mail your completed application form to:
Freedom of Information Unit
Monash Medical Centre
Locked Bag 29
Clayton South VIC 3169
The FOI Act sets out the following fees and charges for providing access to records.
Applications are free of any charges.
An application fee of $31.80 applies effective from 1 July 2023 (non-refundable and must accompany the written request).
Additional fees that may apply:
You will be advised of any additional fees when your request has been processed. These fees must be paid before the information is released. If you do not wish to proceed, you must notify us for the invoice to be withdrawn. All cheques should be made payable to Monash Health.
Please allow approximately two weeks for processing of documents after the full fee is paid.
Concessions: If you are the holder of a current Health Care Card or Pension Card, the $31.80 application fee will be waived (access charges are as above). In this circumstance, please also attach a copy of the entitlement card (front and back) with your application.
In accordance with the FOI Act, we will have 30 days to evaluate your request and provide our response in writing. The 30-day period starts when we have received your written application, along with the necessary identification documents and application fee if applicable (including the details of your Pension or Health Care Card as relevant), and when the appropriate authority is received.
In our response, we will include the next steps for accessing and viewing your requested records. In certain rare circumstances, historical records may no longer be available due to destruction or unforeseen historical events (e.g. fire, flooding). If this is the case, we will provide you with as much information as possible regarding this occurrence and do our best to provide as much relevant information to you as available.
Patient medical records are subject to Freedom of Information legislation as they are considered the legal property of Monash Health. Several sections within the FOI Act serve to protect the privacy of patients, and as a result, we may be obliged to exempt certain sections of a medical record from release.
Two of the most relevant sections of the FOI Act are:
There are also several other exemption provisions under which information may not be released.
You will be advised in writing if any such provisions are relevant to your application and of your right to appeal such decisions.
If Monash Health determines that is it necessary to exempt part/s of the medical record, the applicant has the right to have this decision reviewed by the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner. You may apply to the Information Commissioner for review within 28 days after the day on which you receive our notification.
If you have any further enquiries about Monash Health’s Freedom of Information services, please call our Freedom of Information Unit on 9594 2123.
For a more information on the FOI Act please visit the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner website.
More information regarding historical forced adoptions, including the Victorian Government’s 2023 Historical Forced Adoptions Redress Scheme, is available at www.vic.gov.au/forced-adoption.
PDF document
For details on the Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme and Child Information Sharing Scheme, please visit the Information Sharing Scheme page.