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International Access to Information Day 2025

International Access to Information Day (IAID) is celebrated around the world on 28 September every year. It’s a day to raise awareness of every individual’s right of access to government-held information; and the public sector’s responsibility to release information if it is in the public interest to do so.

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Whether you’re a member of the community, or if you work in the public sector, IAID is a great opportunity to brush up on your knowledge about information access rights and responsibilities.

When government agencies proactively release information, it helps create a foundation for accountable and transparent government, encourages public participation in civil society and can strengthen democracies by building greater trust between the community and government.

The right to information is enshrined in laws across Australia and around the world. These days there are more than 120 nations that guarantee citizens these rights — a significant expansion since 2009 when UNESCO recorded only 40 countries with these laws.

This year’s UNESCO appointed theme for IAID is ‘Ensuring Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age’.

The theme highlights that environmental data, ranging across issues like climate change, pollution, biodiversity, and disaster risks, transcends national borders. It also calls on collaborative, transparent, and innovative global sharing of information.

When the community can access government-held information in a timely and efficient manner, it helps individuals and the wider community to stay informed, reduces misinformation and it empowers people to make decisions about matters affecting them.

Join Queenslanders in marking IAID and celebrating the right to information:

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