In respect of formal applications, Council will notify applicants of the decision on an application within 20 working days, unless the applicant agrees to extend the time. Council may also extend the time by up to 15 working days where consultation with a third party is required or if Council needs to retrieve records from archives.

If access is deferred by Council, then Council will notify the applicant and include the reason for deferral and the date on which the applicant will be given access. A decision to defer access is reviewable (see Rights of Review and Appeal). If Council does not decide the applicant's access application within the above timeframes, it is deemed 'refused'. Council will refund the application fee and the applicant may seek internal or external review (see Rights of Review and Appeal) of this refusal. This will not apply if an extension of time has been arranged or payment of an advance deposit is pending.