The object of this paper is to focus on statistical comparisons between the FOI Act 1991 (Tas) and FOI Acts in other Australian states during their first three months of operation. Points of comparison include the number of applications received, the number of cases where access was provided in full or part, time limits etc.The study concludes that the variability of patterns for each state makes it difficult to predict future patterns in Tasmania based on results in other states. At the time, not enough applications had been received in Tasmania to indicate where applications will be directed. The Commonwealth experience suggests that there will be more applications across a larger agency base, but that this will level out as agencies become more flexible. The patterns will be affected by growing public awareness of FOI in Tasmania. The failure of the Tasmanian Act to require agencies to publish information about the information they hold etc, has led to a lack of public awareness of FOI. The study concludes that the objects of the Act will not be achieved until there is more effective publicity and information about FOI made available.