Data Request to indicate any improvement in 888 visa processing times since the issue of Ministerial Direction 100.
Dear Department of Home Affairs,
Following the issue of Ministerial Direction no.100 which came into effect on 28 October 2022, I respectfully request the data specified below to determine the level of improvement in processing volumes for 888 Business Innovation and Investment Permanent visas. In particular, I request the following data to enable a monthly reconciliation of visas on hand;
Monthly from Jan 2022 to January 2023
- Number of visa applications on hand at month start
- New Applications Received
- Visas Granted
- Visas Refused
- Visas Withdrawn
- Number of visa applications on hand at month end
Please can you supply the above data for each 888 visa subclass (Innovation, Investment etc) and split by applications where the primary applicant was located in Australia at date of application versus where the primary applicant was located outside Australia.
Yours faithfully,
H Jackson
** 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-...
Dear Department of Home Affairs,
I refer to my FOI request FA 23/02/00382, submitted on 7/02/2023 titled, "Data Request to indicate any improvement in 888 visa processing times since the issue of Ministerial Direction 100.".
My understanding is that, by law, the authority should have responded to my request by March 09, 2023.
Please can you advise on the reason for the delay.
Yours faithfully,
H Jackson
** 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-...
Dear Department of Home Affairs,
Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.
I am writing to request an internal review of Department of Home Affairs's handling of my FOI request 'Data Request to indicate any improvement in 888 visa processing times since the issue of Ministerial Direction 100.'.
It is now well beyond the required 30 days that the dept is supposed to provide the FOI data requested. Please can I be informed as to the reason for this. Further since the delay is now significant, the data is already out of date so I request that when the data is provided that the end month for the data provided be extended from January 2023 to the end of the current previous month end (eg., if data provided in March 2023 then data would be to February 2023).
Thank you
Sincerely
H Jackson
A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/d...
Yours faithfully,
H Jackson
** 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
In reply please quote:
FOI request: FA 23/02/00382-R1
File number:FA23/02/00382
Dear H Jackson
Invalid Freedom of Information internal review request
Thank you for your email requesting an Internal Review of your Freedom of
Information request FA 23/02/00382.
The Department has determined that your request for internal review is
invalid, by the operation of section 54E(b) of the Freedom of Information
Act 1982 (the FOI Act).
Section 54E(b) provides that internal review is not available for
decisions that an agency has been taken to have made under section 15AC of
the Act. Section 15AC of the FOI Act applies when an agency is deemed to
have refused an FOI request because it did not make its original decision
on the request during the request’s statutory timeframe (30 days, plus any
additional time the FOI Act provides for extension or consultation).
On 10 March 2023, the Department was deemed to have refused your original
request under Section 15AC because it had not made its decision on your
request by 9 March 2023, the last day of the statutory timeframe
prescribed by the FOI Act.
As a result, the Department is unable to take any action on your request
for internal review.
Other options for review: Information Commissioner review
You may instead apply for a review of the Department’s access decision by
the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, via the following
means:
Online: [1]www.oaic.gov.au
Post: GPO Box 5218 Sydney NSW 2001
Fax: +61 2 9284 9666
Email: [2][email address]
More information about Information Commissioner review is available on the
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner website at
[3]https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor....
Regards,
Dale
Position No. 60159153
FOI Officer, Reviews Team
FOI & Records Management Branch | Legal Group
Department of Home Affairs
Email: [4][email address]
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.oaic.gov.au/
2. mailto:[email address]
3. https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
4. mailto:[email address]
OFFICIAL
In reply please quote:
FOI Request: FA 23/02/00382
File Number: FA23/02/00382
Dear H Jackson
Freedom of Information (FOI) request – Access Decision
On 7 February 2023, the Department of Home Affairs (the Department)
received a request for access to document under the Freedom of Information
Act 1982 (the FOI Act).
The purpose of this letter is to provide you with a decision on your
request for access under the FOI Act.
1 Scope of request
You have requested access to the following document:
Monthly from Jan 2022 to January 2023
- Number of visa applications on hand at month start
- New Applications Received
- Visas Granted
- Visas Refused
- Visas Withdrawn
- Number of visa applications on hand at month end
Please can you supply the above data for each 888 visa subclass
(Innovation, Investment etc) and split by applications where the primary
applicant was located in Australia at date of application versus where the
primary applicant was located outside Australia.
Please can you supply the above data for each 888 visa subclass (eg.
Business Innovation, Investor etc) as well as for each of 1) applications
where the primary applicant was located in Australia at date of
application and 2) where the primary applicant was located outside
Australia at date of application.
.
2 Authority to make decision
I am an officer authorised under section 23 of the FOI Act to make
decisions in respect of requests to access document or to amend or
annotate records.
3 Relevant material
In reaching my decision I referred to the following:
· the terms of your request
· the document relevant to the request
· the FOI Act
· Guidelines published by the Office of the Information
Commissioner under section 93A of the FOI Act (the FOI Guidelines)
· advice from Departmental officers with responsibility for
matters relating to the document to which you sought access.
4 Document in scope of request
In accordance with section 17 of the FOI Act, the Department has used its
computer system to produce one document that contains information that
falls within the scope of your request. The data produced in the document
existed in the possession of the Department on 7 February 2023 when your
FOI request was received.
5 Decision
The decision in relation to the document in the possession of the
Department which fall within the scope of your request is as follows:
· Release one document in full
Section 24A of the FOI Act provides that the Department may refuse a
request for access to a document if all reasonable steps have been taken
to find the document and the Department is satisfied that the document
does not exist.
I am satisfied that the Department has undertaken reasonable searches in
relation to your request and that no documents for the Premium Investor
stream for the period requested were in the possession of the Department
on 7 February 2023 when your FOI request was received. As such, I am
refusing your request based on the application of section 24A of the FOI
Act.
6 Legislation
A copy of the FOI Act is available at
[1]https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C2.... If you are unable to
access the legislation through this website, please contact our office for
a copy.
7 Your Review Rights
Review by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
You may apply directly to the Office of the Australian Information
Commissioner (OAIC) for a review of this decision. You must apply in
writing within 60 days of this notice. For further information about
review rights and how to submit a request for a review to the OAIC, please
see
[2]https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor....
8 Making a Complaint
You may complain to the Australian Information Commissioner about action
taken by the Department in relation to your request.
Your enquiries to the Australian Information Commissioner can be directed
to:
· Phone 1300 363 992 (local call charge)
· Email [3][email address]
There is no particular form required to make a complaint to the Australian
Information Commissioner. The request should be in writing and should set
out the grounds on which it is considered that the action taken in
relation to the request should be investigated and identify the Department
of Home Affairs as the relevant agency.
9 Contacting the FOI Section
Should you wish to discuss this decision, please do not hesitate to
contact the FOI Section at [4][Department of Home Affairs request email].
Yours sincerely,
[Electronically signed]
Phil
Position No. 60157242
Authorised FOI Officer - Freedom of Information
FOI and Records Management Branch | Legal Group
Department of Home Affairs | [5]www.homeaffairs.gov.au
Email [6][Department of Home Affairs request email]
[7]signature
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://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C2...
2. https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]
5. http://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/
6. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]