Work health and safety

We are committed to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy workplace, and meeting our responsibilities under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. See ‘Management and Accountability’ for our workplace health and safety policies, processes and performance.

Advertising and market research

No payments of $13,200 or greater (inclusive of GST) were made for the purposes of advertising and market research expenditure, as described in section 321A of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918.

Ecologically sustainable development and environmental performance

Our management and staff continue to be committed to the principles of ecologically sustainable development.

The HWT Tower in which we are located has a 4.5 star NABERS energy rating. Lighting throughout our office is sensitive to movement, meaning it will automatically turn off after a set period of no activity and only turn back on when movement is detected to reduce energy usage on unnecessary lighting. In November we installed block-out blinds on all north and west facing windows to reduce heat transmission in the warmer months.

Other energy efficient practices, such as staff shutting down their computers at the end of the day continue to be encouraged, together with ensuring all office equipment and appliances conform to environmental standards.

Meaningful comparison of electricity consumption within the tenancy with previous years is not possible yet as we have only just completed our first 12 months occupancy, although we are confident that our consumption is less than our previous tenancy due to our reduced footprint (from 1,532 m² over 1.5 floors to 1,290 m² over a single floor).

Adverse effects due to transport (causing emissions to the air and use of resources) continue to be mostly due to domestic airline flights. The proximity of our office to train and tram networks enables the majority of staff to take public transport to and from the office. Webinars continue to be very popular and regularly replace face-to-face seminar presentations, extending their reach and reducing the need for people to travel to the Institute to hear them. Installation of new state of the art video-conferencing equipment in late 2018 has meant reduced travel for both staff and key stakeholders as it is now very easy to participate in meetings from our office.

Paper consumption (use of natural resources) is minimised by using recycled paper and ensuring that the office printers default to using both sides of the paper. Two new Konica Minolta printers were installed in February 2019 providing updated technology, reduced consumption of resources during use and more granular reporting of print usage.

Paper use in 2018/19 (number of printer/copier impressions) decreased by 16.22%. This continues the decreased usage reported over the previous three years.

Our transition to digital working in line with the Australian Government’s digital transition and digital continuity 2020 policies is continuing. All staff now use laptop computers, meaning they can be fully mobile when they work, with less need to print or store hardcopy records.

Waste generation is reduced by the separation of paper, cardboard, glass, plastics and organic waste at waste stations throughout the tenancy.

Disability reporting

Since 1994, Commonwealth departments and agencies have reported on their performance as policy adviser, purchaser, employer, regulator and provider under the Commonwealth Disability Strategy. In 2007/08, reporting on the employer role was transferred to the Australian Public Service Commission’s State of the Service Report and the APS Statistical Bulletin. These reports are available from the Commission’s website (see apsc.gov.au). Since 2010/11, departments and agencies have not been required to report on these functions.

The Commonwealth Disability Strategy has been overtaken by a new National Disability Strategy 2010–20, which sets out a 10-year national policy framework to improve the lives of people with a disability, promote participation and create a more inclusive society. A high-level two-yearly report will track progress against each of the six outcome areas of the strategy and present a picture of how people with a disability are faring. The first of these reports was published in late 2014 (see dss.gov.au).

Information Publication Scheme

Agencies subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) are required to publish information to the public as part of the Information Publication Scheme (IPS). This requirement is in Part II of the FOI Act and has replaced the former requirement to publish a Section 8 statement in an annual report. Each agency must display on its website a plan showing what information it publishes in accordance with the IPS requirements.

Although no new requests were received in 2018/19, a decision made in 2017/18 was reviewed and upheld by the Office of Australian Information Commissioner.

Contact details

FOI Contact Officer
Australian Institute of Family Studies
Level 4, 40 City Road
Southbank VIC 3006

Telephone: (03) 9214 7888

Facsimile: (03) 9214 7839

Email: aifs-foi [at] aifs.gov.au