Can I request information from a private organisation?

No, you cannot.  The RTI Act only applies to information in the possession of public authorities and Ministers.

Having said that, there are many private organisations funded by or performing a role of a public authority.  If that is the case, s8 of the Act provides that a person is entitled to information related to –

• that performance;
• the progress of work;
• the evaluation of work; or
• the expenditure of public moneys.

This is still, however, limited to information in the possession of the public authority that is not exempt information – you are not entitled to access it directly from the private organisation. To access this information, you submit your application to the public authority that has funded that private organisation or on whose behalf it is performing a role.