** This is an automated response. Please do not reply to this email **

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Your email has been received by the Department of Home Affairs Freedom of
Information (FOI) Section.

The FOI section only responds to valid FOI requests and other matters
relating to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act).  Visit the
FOI Information on our Website for more information on what [1]information
can be accessed under the FOI Act 1982.

What is a valid FOI request?

A valid FOI request may be for:

- documents you previously provided to the Department as part of a visa
application

- a copy of a decision record made by the Department

- statistical information held by the Department

- papers or briefings the Department prepared.

If your email is a valid FOI request, the Department will contact you
shortly to acknowledge your request.

A valid FOI request must:

o Be in writing and state the request is for consideration under the FOI
Act.
o Have enough information for us to be able to identify the documents
you are seeking.
o Provide a physical or electronic address where we can send our
decision.

Do not send duplicate emails as this may cause longer delays in processing
times.

What is an invalid FOI request?

Invalid FOI requests may include:

- Making a visa application

- Seeking evidence of your Australian Citizenship

- Seeking information about traveling to or departing Australia.

If your email is not specific an FOI request or FOI related matter, the
FOI section will not respond.

What happens next?

Once we receive and have registered your FOI request, we will send you an
acknowledgment letter by email. Read the acknowledgment letter carefully
for further instructions.

FOI requests are generally processed in the order they are received.

We will contact you as soon as the Department has assessed your request
under the FOI Act.

We’re responding to a large volume of requests

Due to the current high volume of requests, we will not provide progress
up-dates on current FOI requests.  This is to ensure we are able to
process as many requests as possible, including yours.

If processing your request is going to take us a lot of time and because
it is large or unspecific, it may be refused.  

Still have a question or request?

If you still have a question, which has not been answered above, and which
is about the work of the Department, use our general enquiries web page

[2]https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-sup...

You may be able to resolve your enquiry faster using these other resources

We only action and respond to FOI requests that are valid under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982. You may be able to resolve your enquiry
faster by using these resources:

General information about travelling to Australia:

The Department of Home Affairs, “Entering Australia” site
[3]https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/entering...

·       For visa and our requirements for entry to Australia
[4]https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/ge...

For a copy of your visa refusal or visa grant letter you should contact
the office where you lodged your visa application. 

·       To check your current visa details and conditions use the
Department’s Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) portal which can
be accessed [5]here

·       If you are experiencing technical difficulties in lodging your
visa application through ImmiAccount, submit your concerns through the
ImmiAccount Technical Support Form, which is accessible [6]here.

·       For evidence of your Australian Citizenship please refer [7]here.
The FOI Section does not process these requests.

·       For movement records or travel history complete the online
International Movement Records form [8]here. The FOI Section does not
process these requests.

·       To update your details, including your Passport details, you can
notify the Department [9]here. The FOI Section does not process these
requests.

We appreciate your feedback         

We appreciate your feedback to help improve our services.

If you would like to provide feedback to us please use our Compliments,
complaints and suggestions form.
[10]https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-and-...

Thank you

Information updated 11 January 2022

Important Notice: The content of this email is intended only for use by
the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received
this email by mistake, please advise the sender and delete the message and
attachments immediately.  This email, including attachments, may contain
confidential, sensitive, legally privileged and/or copyright information.
 

Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of this information
by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. 
The Department of Home Affairs and ABF respect your privacy and have
obligations under the Privacy Act 1988.  

Unsolicited commercial emails MUST NOT be sent to the originator of this
email.

References

Visible links
1. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/access-an...
2. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-sup...
3. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/entering...
4. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/ge...
5. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/al...
6. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-sup...
7. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizens...
8. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/entering...
9. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/change-i...
10. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-and-...

OFFICIAL: Sensitive
Personal-Privacy

In reply please quote:
FOI Request: FA 22/02/00319
File Number: OBJ2022/2879

Dear Suji,
Acknowledgement of Freedom of Information Access request
This letter acknowledges we received your request on 3 February 2022 to access documents held by the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act). This letter also provides important information about your request.

Scope of request
You have requested access to the following:

I would like to request the below details for the listed councils as of the latest reporting date .

1. Number of applications waiting to be allocated to the Citizenship ceremony (who have been approved but are now waiting to be allocated to a ceremony)

2. Number of people attended citizenship ceremony on Australia day 2022.

City of Albury
Armidale Regional Council
Ballina Shire
Balranald Shire
Bathurst Region
Bayside Council
Bega Valley Shire
Bellingen Shire
Berrigan Shire
Blacktown City Council
Bland Shire
Blayney Shire
City of Blue Mountains
Bogan Shire
Bourke Shire
Brewarrina Shire
City of Broken Hill
Burwood Council
Byron Shire
Cabonne Shire
Camden Council
City of Campbelltown
City of Canada Bay
City of Canterbury-Bankstown
Carrathool Shire
Central Coast Council
Central Darling Shire
City of Cessnock
Clarence Valley Council
Cobar Shire
City of Coffs Harbour
Coolamon Shire
Coonamble Shire
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council
Cowra Shire
Cumberland City Council
Dubbo Regional Council
Dungog Shire
Edward River Council
Eurobodalla Shire
City of Fairfield
Federation Council
Forbes Shire
Georges River Council
Gilgandra Shire
Glen Innes Severn Council
Goulburn Mulwaree Council
Greater Hume Shire
City of Griffith
Gunnedah Shire
Gwydir Shire
City of Hawkesbury
Hay Shire
The Hills Shire
Hilltops Council
Hornsby Shire
Municipality of Hunter's Hill
Inner West Council
Inverell Shire
Junee Shire
Kempsey Shire
Municipality of Kiama
Ku-ring-gai Council
Kyogle Council
Lachlan Shire
City of Lake Macquarie
Municipality of Lane Cove
Leeton Shire
City of Lismore
City of Lithgow
City of Liverpool
Liverpool Plains Shire
Lockhart Shire
Lord Howe Island
City of Maitland
Mid-Coast Council
Mid-Western Regional
Moree Plains Shire
Mosman Council
Murray River Council
Murrumbidgee Council
Muswellbrook Shire
Nambucca Shire
Narrandera Shire
Narrabri Shire
Narromine Shire
Newcastle, City of
Northern Beaches Council
North Sydney Council
Oberon Shire
City of Orange
Parkes Shire
City of Parramatta Council
City of Penrith
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
Port Stephens Council
Queanbeyan–Palerang Regional Council
City of Randwick
Richmond Valley Council
City of Ryde
Singleton Council
City of Shellharbour
City of Shoalhaven
Snowy Monaro Regional Council
Snowy Valleys Council
Municipality of Strathfield
Sutherland Shire
City of Sydney
Tamworth Regional Council
Temora Shire
Tenterfield Shire
Tweed Shire
Unincorporated Far West
Upper Hunter Shire
Upper Lachlan Shire
Uralla Shire
City of Wagga Wagga
Walcha Shire
Walgett Shire
Warren Shire
Warrumbungle Shire
Waverley Council
Weddin Shire
Wentworth Shire
City of Willoughby
Wingecarribee Shire
Wollondilly Shire
City of Wollongong
Municipality of Woollahra
Yass Valley Council
Your request was received by the Department on 3 February 2022 and has been allocated FOI request number FA 22/02/00319. Please include your FOI request number in all correspondence with the Freedom of Information Section.
Timeframe for receiving your decision

The statutory timeframe for processing a request is 30 days from the date upon which your application was received by the Department.

Your review rights in relation to your request are available on the website of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

Fees and Charges
Charges do not apply to requests from individuals seeking access to documents about themselves. However, a charge may apply to all other requests for access to documents.
Charges are based on the amount of time the Department spends on your request. Charges can range from $10 to over $1,000 depending on the complexity and scope of your request. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner reported that across the public service, the average charge notified was $335.50 in 2020-21.
If a charge applies, you will be issued with a Notice of Charge that explains the charge and your options.
Detailed information about FOI charges that may apply to your FOI request is available on the Department’s website.

We do not provide personal details of staff
The Department’s practice is to exclude the personal details of staff not in the Senior Executive Service (SES), as well as the direct contact details of SES staff, contained in documents that fall within scope of an FOI request. If you require personal details of non-SES officers, or direct contact details of SES staff, please inform us so the decision maker may consider your request. Otherwise we will take it that you agree to that information being excluded from the scope of your request. However names of staff that have previously been released in departmental correspondence may be disclosed.

We do not provide duplicated documents
If the FOI decision-maker deems a document to be a duplicate, they will not assess those pages as part of your FOI request. This means that if a there is a decision to release the document to you, you will receive only one copy, even if multiple copies of that document exist.

Released documents you request may be published to our website
Where documents are released to you in response to your request, the Department may be required to publish these documents on its website within 10 working days in accordance with section 11C of the FOI Act. Publication will not be required where the documents contain personal or business affairs information.

How to refine or withdraw your request

Refining your request can reduce the time and charges associated with processing your FOI request.

To refine or withdraw your request, contact the FOI section at [Department of Home Affairs request email] and include your FOI request number.

Kind regards,

FOI Officer - Geoff
Freedom of Information
Department of Home Affairs

E: [Department of Home Affairs request email]

Personal-Privacy
OFFICIAL: Sensitive

show quoted sections

OFFICIAL: Sensitive

In reply please quote:

Our Reference: FA 22/02/00319

File Reference: OBJ2022/2879

Dear Suji,

Request for Extension of Time under section 15AA

I refer to your request received on 3 February 2022 for access to
documents under the FOI Act. The current due date for your request is 7
March 2022. The scope of your request is as follows:

1. Number of applications waiting to be allocated to the Citizenship
ceremony (who have been approved but are now waiting to be allocated to a
ceremony)

2. Number of people attended citizenship ceremony on Australia day 2022.

City of Albury

Armidale Regional Council

Ballina Shire

Balranald Shire

Bathurst Region

Bayside Council

Bega Valley Shire

Bellingen Shire

Berrigan Shire

Blacktown City Council

Bland Shire

Blayney Shire

City of Blue Mountains

Bogan Shire

Bourke Shire

Brewarrina Shire

City of Broken Hill

Burwood Council

Byron Shire

Cabonne Shire

Camden Council

City of Campbelltown

City of Canada Bay

City of Canterbury-Bankstown

Carrathool Shire

Central Coast Council

Central Darling Shire

City of Cessnock

Clarence Valley Council

Cobar Shire

City of Coffs Harbour

Coolamon Shire

Coonamble Shire

Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council

Cowra Shire

Cumberland City Council

Dubbo Regional Council

Dungog Shire

Edward River Council

Eurobodalla Shire

City of Fairfield

Federation Council

Forbes Shire

Georges River Council

Gilgandra Shire

Glen Innes Severn Council

Goulburn Mulwaree Council

Greater Hume Shire

City of Griffith

Gunnedah Shire

Gwydir Shire

City of Hawkesbury

Hay Shire

The Hills Shire

Hilltops Council

Hornsby Shire

Municipality of Hunter's Hill

Inner West Council

Inverell Shire

Junee Shire

Kempsey Shire

Municipality of Kiama

Ku-ring-gai Council

Kyogle Council

Lachlan Shire

City of Lake Macquarie

Municipality of Lane Cove

Leeton Shire

City of Lismore

City of Lithgow

City of Liverpool

Liverpool Plains Shire

Lockhart Shire

Lord Howe Island

City of Maitland

Mid-Coast Council

Mid-Western Regional

Moree Plains Shire

Mosman Council

Murray River Council

Murrumbidgee Council

Muswellbrook Shire

Nambucca Shire

Narrandera Shire

Narrabri Shire

Narromine Shire

Newcastle, City of

Northern Beaches Council

North Sydney Council

Oberon Shire

City of Orange

Parkes Shire

City of Parramatta Council

City of Penrith

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council

Port Stephens Council

Queanbeyan–Palerang Regional Council

City of Randwick

Richmond Valley Council

City of Ryde

Singleton Council

City of Shellharbour

City of Shoalhaven

Snowy Monaro Regional Council

Snowy Valleys Council

Municipality of Strathfield

Sutherland Shire

City of Sydney

Tamworth Regional Council

Temora Shire

Tenterfield Shire

Tweed Shire

Unincorporated Far West

Upper Hunter Shire

Upper Lachlan Shire

Uralla Shire

City of Wagga Wagga

Walcha Shire

Walgett Shire

Warren Shire

Warrumbungle Shire

Waverley Council

Weddin Shire

Wentworth Shire

City of Willoughby

Wingecarribee Shire

Wollondilly Shire

City of Wollongong

Municipality of Woollahra

Yass Valley Council

In order for the Department to complete the document search and retrieval
in relation to the documents that fall within the scope of your request,
the Department will require additional time to process your request.

The Department seeks your agreement under section 15AA of the FOI Act to
extend the timeframe for the processing of your request by 30 days. This
would extend the due date for your request to 6 April 2022.

Provide a response to this request by close of business, 3 March 2022.

If you wish to discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to
contact me by return email.

Kind regards,

Karen

Position: 60114871

Freedom of Information

Freedom of Information & Records Management Branch | Data Division

Strategy & Law Enforcement Group

Department of Home Affairs

E: [1][Department of Home Affairs request email]
OFFICIAL: Sensitive

Important Notice: The content of this email is intended only for use by
the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received
this email by mistake, please advise the sender and delete the message and
attachments immediately.  This email, including attachments, may contain
confidential, sensitive, legally privileged and/or copyright information.
 

Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of this information
by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. 
The Department of Home Affairs and ABF respect your privacy and have
obligations under the Privacy Act 1988.  

Unsolicited commercial emails MUST NOT be sent to the originator of this
email.

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]

OFFICIAL

Dear Suji

FOI Request FA 22/02/00319

I refer to your FOI request received on 3 February 2022, seeking access to
the following:

1. Number of applications waiting to be allocated to the citizenship
ceremony (who have been approved but are now waiting to be allocated to a
ceremony)

2. Number of people who attended citizenship ceremony on Australia Day
2022.

City of Albury
Armidale Regional Council
Ballina Shire
Balranald Shire
Bathurst Region
Bayside Council
Bega Valley Shire
Bellingen Shire
Berrigan Shire
Blacktown City Council
Bland Shire
Blayney Shire
City of Blue Mountains
Bogan Shire
Bourke Shire
Brewarrina Shire
City of Broken Hill
Burwood Council
Byron Shire
Cabonne Shire
Camden Council
City of Campbelltown
City of Canada Bay
City of Canterbury-Bankstown
Carrathool Shire
Central Coast Council
Central Darling Shire
City of Cessnock
Clarence Valley Council
Cobar Shire
City of Coffs Harbour
Coolamon Shire
Coonamble Shire
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council
Cowra Shire
Cumberland City Council
Dubbo Regional Council
Dungog Shire
Edward River Council
Eurobodalla Shire
City of Fairfield
Federation Council
Forbes Shire
Georges River Council
Gilgandra Shire
Glen Innes Severn Council
Goulburn Mulwaree Council
Greater Hume Shire
City of Griffith
Gunnedah Shire
Gwydir Shire
City of Hawkesbury
Hay Shire
The Hills Shire
Hilltops Council
Hornsby Shire
Municipality of Hunter's Hill
Inner West Council
Inverell Shire
Junee Shire
Kempsey Shire
Municipality of Kiama
Ku-ring-gai Council
Kyogle Council
Lachlan Shire
City of Lake Macquarie
Municipality of Lane Cove
Leeton Shire
City of Lismore
City of Lithgow
City of Liverpool
Liverpool Plains Shire
Lockhart Shire
Lord Howe Island
City of Maitland
Mid-Coast Council
Mid-Western Regional
Moree Plains Shire
Mosman Council
Murray River Council
Murrumbidgee Council
Muswellbrook Shire
Nambucca Shire
Narrandera Shire
Narrabri Shire
Narromine Shire
Newcastle, City of
Northern Beaches Council
North Sydney Council
Oberon Shire
City of Orange
Parkes Shire
City of Parramatta Council
City of Penrith
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
Port Stephens Council
Queanbeyan–Palerang Regional Council
City of Randwick
Richmond Valley Council
City of Ryde
Singleton Council
City of Shellharbour
City of Shoalhaven
Snowy Monaro Regional Council
Snowy Valleys Council
Municipality of Strathfield
Sutherland Shire
City of Sydney
Tamworth Regional Council
Temora Shire
Tenterfield Shire
Tweed Shire
Unincorporated Far West
Upper Hunter Shire
Upper Lachlan Shire
Uralla Shire
City of Wagga Wagga
Walcha Shire
Walgett Shire
Warren Shire
Warrumbungle Shire
Waverley Council
Weddin Shire
Wentworth Shire
City of Willoughby
Wingecarribee Shire
Wollondilly Shire
City of Wollongong
Municipality of Woollahra
Yass Valley Council.

The Department has made a decision on this request. Please find attached
the decision record and document released under the FOI Act.  

This request has now been closed.

Regards,

Elaine - position 60097486

FOI Decision Maker

FOI and Records Management Branch

Data Division

Strategy and National Resilience Group

Department of Home Affairs | [1]www.homeaffairs.gov.au

[2][Department of Home Affairs request email]

OFFICIAL

Important Notice: The content of this email is intended only for use by
the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received
this email by mistake, please advise the sender and delete the message and
attachments immediately.  This email, including attachments, may contain
confidential, sensitive, legally privileged and/or copyright information.
 

Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of this information
by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. 
The Department of Home Affairs and ABF respect your privacy and have
obligations under the Privacy Act 1988.  

Unsolicited commercial emails MUST NOT be sent to the originator of this
email.

References

Visible links
1. http://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/
2. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]%0d