This research paper investigates the use of the FOI Act by Tasmanian businesses. It is significant for the following reasons: (1) It studies the use of the act in a practical manner. Most texts on the topic of FOI go into great detail about the need for the FOI act, the purpose of the act, the judicial interpretation of the act and the meaning of phrases such as 'trade secrets', public interest' and similar expressions. This paper avoids repeating what can already be found in these text books and focuses on what businesses in Tasmania can, and have already obtained through the use of the FOI act.(2) It reveals that there is a lack of knowledge of the potential use of the FOI act by businesses in Tasmania. (3) It reveals that while there is potential the FOI act has been under utilised by businesses in Tasmania.