Freedom of Information/Charges for access

This page provides a cross-jurisdictional comparison of how applicants may be charged for, or contribute financially to the cost of, access to documents under freedom of information legislation.

Jurisdiction	Basis for charges	Major exceptions	Further information
Australia (Commonwealth)	Schedule of cost per hour for specified activities such as 'search and retrieval' and 'decision-making', regardless of actual cost	Financial hardship disclosure would be in the public interest
United States of America	Cost per hour of time spent by agency, with each agency setting its own schedule of fees (check this)	Requests not made for commercial purposes are given various discounts or exemptions, especially educational institutions, scientific institutions and the media	?
United Kingdom	Actual costs incurred in reproducing and delivering the information, such as photocopying and postage, but not staff or contractor time	?	FOI Act 2000, s 9 and Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004, reg 6(2)