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Accessing documents on our website

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Information on this website is available in a number of formats. This page explains what you need to know to be able to open these documents.

If there is any information you are unable to access on this website, please contact the TGA and we will arrange to provide the information in a format to suit your needs.

Types of documents

pdf iconPortable document format (pdf)

You need to have pdf viewer software, such as the Adobe Reader, installed on your computer to view PDF files.

The Adobe Reader is available free of charge from Adobe's website. It is recommended that you use the latest version of Adobe Reader.

Problems have been experienced by some people when accessing pdf documents. Typical problems include the browser window freezing or the pdf file opening as a blank page. This is often due to the integration of the browser and Adobe Reader. Large pdf file sizes can also cause problems and should be saved to your own computer and opened from there rather than from a website.

PDF forms

  • Adobe Reader 7 or later: If you use Adobe Reader V7 or later, you will be able to fill in form fields in pdf documents on screen and save the completed form to your own computer.
  • Adobe Reader 6 or earlier: If you use Adobe Reader V6 or earlier, you will not be able to save the form with the fields completed; you will need to fill in the fields and print the form in one session.
  • Other products: Adobe Acrobat and some other pdf software will allow you to save completed pdf forms to your computer, however these programs are not free to obtain.

For help with Adobe Reader problems, see: Adobe Reader support on Adobe's website.

rtf iconRich text format (rtf)

Rich Text Format is a document file format used for cross-platform document interchange. This means that documents created under different operating systems and with different software programs can be transferred to other operating systems and applications that can understand RTF.

Most word processing software can open, read and write RTF documents.

Also see: Zipped files

Microsoft Word iconMicrosoft Word (doc or docx)

It is highly recommended that you save Microsoft Word documents to your own computer and then open them in the Microsoft Word program on your computer rather than opening them in a browser window.

If you don't have Microsoft Word installed on your computer, Microsoft offers a free program called Microsoft Word Viewer that lets you open Microsoft Word documents. By using the viewer, you can view, print, and copy document contents to another program. However, you cannot make a change to a document that is open, save a document, or create a new document.

Microsoft Excel iconMicrosoft Excel (xls or xlsx)

It is highly recommended that you save Microsoft Excel documents to your own computer and then open them in the Microsoft Excel program on your computer rather than opening them in a browser window.

If you don't have Microsoft Excel installed on your computer, Microsoft offers a free program called Microsoft Excel Viewer that lets you open Microsoft Excel documents. By using the viewer, you can open, view, and print Excel workbooks. You can also copy data to another program. However, you cannot edit data, save a workbook, or create a new workbook.

CSV iconComma separated values (csv)

A CSV file is a plain text file which stores spreadsheet or basic database-style information in a very simple format, with one record on each line, and each field within that record separated by a comma.

Most spreadsheet, database and text editor programs are able to open and read csv files.

zip iconZipped files

Zip files are single files that contain one or more compressed files. Zip files make it easy to keep related files together and make downloading and storing data faster and more efficient. The Zip format is the most popular compression format used in the Windows environment.

Some of the files on this website are provided as Zip files because it reduces the file size, which reduces the download time (particularly important for people using dial-up Internet connections).

You will need special software, such as WinZip, in order to access the files stored in the Zip file. There are a number of zip programs available from the Internet (free and not free) that will allow you to unzip and access the files in a Zip file. Use a search engine and search on the keywords "zip software" to find such utilities.

In most cases, where we provide a zip file on this website, we also provide a pdf version of the same file.

How to save a document to your own computer

Documents can be downloaded to your computer from a web page without being opened in the browser window. This is particularly recommended for large documents. To download a document from a link:

  • right-click the link to the document
  • choose 'Save Target As' (Internet Explorer) or 'Save Link As' (Chrome or Firefox) from the pop-up menu
  • in the Save As dialog box, select a location on your computer and click 'Save'

You can then open the document from your own computer rather than across the Internet.

How to open a document or external link in a new browser window or tab

Documents and external links on this website open in the same browser window or tab that is currently open. They do not automatically open a new window or tab to display the document or external website.

If you prefer to open documents or external links in a new browser window or tab (so you end up with multiple browser windows or tabs):

  • right-click the link to the document or external website
  • select 'Open in New Window' (Internet Explorer) or 'Open Link in New Window' or 'Open Link in New Tab' option (Chrome or Firefox)