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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 22/08/01044
File Number: OBJ2022/22565

Dear BE

Acknowledgement of Freedom of Information Access request

This letter acknowledges we received your request on 17 August 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 seek access under the FOI Act to MS22-000833. I note that part of this document is available on the Home Affairs FOI disclosure log (FA 22/06/00085 published 14 July 2022) however parts of this document were redacted on the basis that the information was irrelevant to that particular request.

Given that my request is for access to this specific document (and without knowing the precise scope of the previous request), no aspect of this document is irrelevant to my request for the purposes of s.22(1)(a)(ii) of the FOI Act other than names or contact details of departmental staff.

I also confirm that I do not seek access to any of the information which has been redacted under section 47F(1) of the Act in the version of this document that is publicly available on the department's disclosure log.

In relation to the information that was redacted on the basis of deliberative process (47C) I confirm that I would like this information included within my request, noting that over a month has elapsed since the date of the previous FOI decision and that further final decisions in the form of the grant of permanent residency to this family have occurred which would require a fresh assessment of the basis of any deliberative process claim.

Your request was received by the Department on 17 August 2022 and has been allocated FOI request number: FA 22/08/01044.

Please include your FOI request number in all correspondence with the Freedom of Information Section.

Timeframe

The timeframe for processing a request is 30 days from the day we receive your request, as set out in the FOI Act.

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

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 reduce or withdraw your request

Reducing the scope of your request can reduce the time and charges associated with processing your FOI request.

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

Kind regards

Jade
Position number: 60107422
Authorised FOI Officer
FOI and Records Management Branch | Data Division
Strategy and National Resilience Group
Department of Home Affairs
E: [Department of Home Affairs request email]

Personal-Privacy
OFFICIAL: Sensitive

-----Original Message-----
From: BE <[FOI #9282 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, 17 August 2022 4:52 PM
To: FOI <[Department of Home Affairs request email]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Copy of MS22-000833

Dear Department of Home Affairs,
I seek access under the FOI Act to MS22-000833. I note that part of this document is available on the Home Affairs FOI disclosure log (FA 22/06/00085 published 14 July 2022) however parts of this document were redacted on the basis that the information was irrelevant to that particular request.

Given that my request is for access to this specific document (and without knowing the precise scope of the previous request), no aspect of this document is irrelevant to my request for the purposes of s.22(1)(a)(ii) of the FOI Act other than names or contact details of departmental staff.

I also confirm that I do not seek access to any of the information which has been redacted under section 47F(1) of the Act in the version of this document that is publicly available on the department's disclosure log.

In relation to the information that was redacted on the basis of deliberative process (47C) I confirm that I would like this information included within my request, noting that over a month has elapsed since the date of the previous FOI decision and that further final decisions in the form of the grant of permanent residency to this family have occurred which would require a fresh assessment of the basis of any deliberative process claim.

Yours faithfully,

BE

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Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #9282 email]

Is [Department of Home Affairs request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information requests to Department of Home Affairs? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://www.righttoknow.org.au/change_re...

This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...

Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will be delayed.

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

hide quoted sections

OFFICIAL

In reply please quote:

FOI Request:  FA 22/08/01044

File Number:   OBJ2022/22565

Dear BE

I refer to your request received on 17 August 2022 for access to documents
under the FOI Act, seeking access to:

I seek access under the FOI Act to MS22-000833.  I note that part of this
document is available on the Home Affairs FOI disclosure log (FA
22/06/00085 published 14 July 2022) however parts of this document were
redacted on the basis that the information was irrelevant to that
particular request.

Given that my request is for access to this specific document (and without
knowing the precise scope of the previous request), no aspect of this
document is irrelevant to my request for the purposes of s.22(1)(a)(ii) of
the FOI Act other than names or contact details of departmental staff.

I also confirm that I do not seek access to any of the information which
has been redacted under section 47F(1) of the Act in the version of this
document that is publicly available on the department's disclosure log. 

In relation to the information that was redacted on the basis of
deliberative process (47C) I confirm that I would like this information
included within my request, noting that  over a month has elapsed since
the date of the previous FOI decision and that further final decisions in
the form of the grant of permanent residency  to this family have occurred
which would require a fresh assessment of the basis of any deliberative
process claim. 

The current due date for your request is 16 September 2022. 

In order for the Department to complete the decision-making process 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 7 days. This
would extend the due date for your request to Friday 23 September 2022. 

It would assist the Department in managing its FOI caseload if you could
provide a response to this request by close of business, Thursday 15
September 2022.

If you wish to discuss this matter further, please contact me on the
details below.

Yours sincerely

Guy

Position no. 60103474

Freedom of Information Section

FOI and Records Management Branch | Data Division

Strategy & National Resilience Group

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

Department of Home Affairs - [2]www.homeaffairs.gov.au

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. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]
2. http://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/

OFFICIAL

Dear BE

FOI request FA 22/08/01044

I refer to your FOI request received on 17 August 2022, seeking access to
the following:

I seek access under the FOI Act to MS22-000833.  I note that part of this
document is available on the Home Affairs FOI disclosure log (FA
22/06/00085 published 14 July 2022) however parts of this document were
redacted on the basis that the information was irrelevant to that
particular request.

Given that my request is for access to this specific document (and without
knowing the precise scope of the previous request), no aspect of this
document is irrelevant to my request for the purposes of s.22(1)(a)(ii) of
the FOI Act other than names or contact details of departmental staff.

I also confirm that I do not seek access to any of the information which
has been redacted under section 47F(1) of the Act in the version of this
document that is publicly available on the department's disclosure log. 

In relation to the information that was redacted on the basis of
deliberative process (47C) I confirm that I would like this information
included within my request, noting that  over a month has elapsed since
the date of the previous FOI decision and that further final decisions in
the form of the grant of permanent residency  to this family have occurred
which would require a fresh assessment of the basis of any deliberative
process claim.

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

To process your FOI request, the Department needs to find all related
documents across many systems containing millions of records and assessing
each for potential harms such as privacy and commercial sensitivity prior
to making a decision.

Given the diversion of resources from other work, the FOI Act allows
Commonwealth Departments to charge you for providing access to documents
that do not contain your own personal information. In this instance, the
Department has chosen to waive any charges that would ordinarily be
applicable to this request.

For future FOI applications, if the Department  decides you are liable to
pay a charge, we will send you a preliminary assessment of the charge
payable and how much deposit you will need to pay if we are charging you.
Any decision to issue charges will be done in accordance with the FOI Act
and the Freedom of Information (Charges) Regulations 2019. You may pay the
charge or tell us why you think the charge has been wrongly assessed and
should be reduced or waived. You may also choose to withdraw your request.
The Department will provide documents to you once the charge has been paid
in full.

For more information about charges, visit our [1]website or review the
[2]information provided by the Office of the Australian Information
Commissioner.

This request has now been closed.

Yours sincerely

Guy

Position no. 60103474

Freedom of Information Section

FOI and Records Management Branch | Data Division

Strategy & National Resilience Group

E: [3][Department of Home Affairs request email]

Department of Home Affairs - [4]www.homeaffairs.gov.au

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. https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/DsM4CY...
2. https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/zFllCZ...
3. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]
4. http://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/