FOI charges letters

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[1]Australian Government Department of Home Affairs logo

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

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

If you have lodged a request for access to documents or amendment to
information, you will receive an acknowledgement letter within 14 days.

Please see our website for more information on submitting a valid request
for access to information. [2]Freedom of information
(homeaffairs.gov.au)

Legal priority: If your situation has changed to the extent that your FOI
request now have a legal priority such as Administrative Appeals Tribunal,
Court, Ministerial Intervention, Visa cancellation deadline since you
submitted your initial request, please provide a physical evidence to
support your priority claim.

We’re responding to a large volume of requests

Due to the high volume of requests we receive, we will not be able to
respond to requests to provide status updates on current requests for
information. We prioritise processing the requests we receive, including
yours.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

If your email relates to other matters then please contact the relevant
area of the Department or review the frequently asked questions below. The
mailbox is unable to respond to visa and citizenship status updates or
questions. If your query is answered by this information you will not
receive another response to your email.

Your Query General Information
If you applied [4]Our online services (homeaffairs.gov.au)
online, you can
check your visa [5]Ceremony wait times (homeaffairs.gov.au)
application status
in [3]ImmiAccount.
I want to access [6]Check visa details and conditions
my visa details (homeaffairs.gov.au)
I want to apply [7]Applying online in ImmiAccount
for a visa to (homeaffairs.gov.au)
Australia
My visa has [8]Your visa is expiring or has expired
expired (homeaffairs.gov.au)
I want to apply [9]Become a citizen (homeaffairs.gov.au)
for Australian
Citizenship or [10]Evidence of citizenship and certificates Change
access/amend my a citizenship certificate (homeaffairs.gov.au)
citizenship
details
I want my travel [11]Requesting travel records (homeaffairs.gov.au)
records in and out
of Australia
I am having Use our [12]technical guide to troubleshoot in
technical problems [13]ImmiAccount.
lodging an
application If you are still unable to resolve your issue submit
the [14]ImmiAccount Technical Support Form
I wish to provide Provide information by [15]ImmiAccount. After you
information about submit your application, use [16]ImmiAccount to:
a visa application
or provide ·         apply for a bridging visa
information about
changes to my ·         access the My Health Declarations service
situation
·         attach documents to your online
application

· check the progress of your application

· update your passport or address details

· notify of incorrect information in your
application

Further details and instructions refer to
[17]ImmiAccount Help & Support

[18]Changes in your situation (homeaffairs.gov.au)
I have made an If you have been sent a request letter to complete
appointment for a health but are experiencing delays you can attach
health/biometrics details of your appointment to [19]ImmiAccount.
examination
I want to withdraw [20]You want to withdraw an application
my visa or (homeaffairs.gov.au)
citizenship
application
I want to update [21]Changes in your situation (homeaffairs.gov.au)
my address,
contact or
passport details
Can my visa fee be Refunds can only be made in very limited
refunded? circumstances governed by legislation.

For further information see [22]Getting a refund
(homeaffairs.gov.au)
Visa eligibility Information on [23]visa options is available on the
query Department’s website.
Since my visa was [24]Changes in your situation (homeaffairs.gov.au)
granted I have had
a child born in
Australia
I want to report [25]Border Watch Online Report (homeaffairs.gov.au)
suspicious or
illegal
immigration, visa,
customs and trade
activity.
I want to lodge Find out how to provide [26]Compliments, complaints
feedback about a and suggestions
Department service

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, the ABF and the National Emergency
Management Agency 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

OFFICIAL: Sensitive
Personal-Privacy

In reply please quote:

FOI Request: FA 24/10/00102

File Number: FA24/10/00102

Dear CR

Acknowledgement of Freedom of Information Access request

This letter acknowledges that on 1 October 2024 the Department of Home
Affairs (the Department) received your request to access documents held
by 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 request access to the following documents under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982:

1. The most recent 30 notices of charges issued to FOI applicants.

For each of these 30 requests, if applicable, please also provide:
2. Any subsequent decisions regarding charges following applicant
contention
3. Any subsequent decisions regarding charges following internal or
external review.

Please exclude the following information:
i) Personal information of FOI applicants.
.

Your request has been allocated FOI request number FA 24/10/00102. 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 [1]Freedom
of information reviews | OAIC.

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 [2]the Department’s website.

We do not provide personal details of staff or non-public facing
operational email addresses

The Department’s practice is to exclude the personal details of Government
employees, including contractors, 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 as irrelevant under section
22(1)(a)(ii) of the FOI Act. 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.

Publication of document

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
[3][Department of Home Affairs request email] and include your FOI request number.

Contacting the FOI Section

Should you wish to discuss your request you may contact the FOI Section at
[Department of Home Affairs request email].

Kind Regards

David
Team Leader – Authorised FOI Officer, Freedom of Information
Position Number 60157647

Privacy, FOI and Records Management Branch

Legal Group

Department of Home Affairs

E: [4][Department of Home Affairs request email]

Personal-Privacy
OFFICIAL: Sensitive

-----Original Message-----
From: CR <[FOI #12119 email]>
Sent: Tuesday, 1 October 2024 5:56 PM
To: FOI <[Department of Home Affairs request email]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - FOI charges letters

Dear Department of Home Affairs,

I request access to the following documents under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982:

1. The most recent 30 notices of charges issued to FOI applicants.

For each of these 30 requests, if applicable, please also provide:

2. Any subsequent decisions regarding charges following applicant
contention.

3. Any subsequent decisions regarding charges following internal or
external review.

Please exclude the following information:

i) Personal information of FOI applicants.

Yours faithfully,

CR

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

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[5][FOI #12119 email]

Is [6][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:

[7]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:

[8]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, the ABF and the National Emergency
Management Agency 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.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
2. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/access-an...
3. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]
4. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]
5. mailto:[FOI #12119 email]
6. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]
7. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/change_re...
8. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...

hide quoted sections

This message has been hidden. We have hidden this decision while we investigate a potential inadvertent release of personal information. Please contact us if you have any questions. If you are the requester, then you may sign in to view the message.

image002.jpg

6K Download

[1]Australian Government Department of Home Affairs logo

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

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

If you have lodged a request for access to documents or amendment to
information, you will receive an acknowledgement letter within 14 days.

Please see our website for more information on submitting a valid request
for access to information. [2]Freedom of information
(homeaffairs.gov.au)

Legal priority: If your situation has changed to the extent that your FOI
request now have a legal priority such as Administrative Appeals Tribunal,
Court, Ministerial Intervention, Visa cancellation deadline since you
submitted your initial request, please provide a physical evidence to
support your priority claim.

We’re responding to a large volume of requests

Due to the high volume of requests we receive, we will not be able to
respond to requests to provide status updates on current requests for
information. We prioritise processing the requests we receive, including
yours.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

If your email relates to other matters then please contact the relevant
area of the Department or review the frequently asked questions below. The
mailbox is unable to respond to visa and citizenship status updates or
questions. If your query is answered by this information you will not
receive another response to your email.

Your Query General Information
If you applied [4]Our online services (homeaffairs.gov.au)
online, you can
check your visa [5]Ceremony wait times (homeaffairs.gov.au)
application status
in [3]ImmiAccount.
I want to access [6]Check visa details and conditions
my visa details (homeaffairs.gov.au)
I want to apply [7]Applying online in ImmiAccount
for a visa to (homeaffairs.gov.au)
Australia
My visa has [8]Your visa is expiring or has expired
expired (homeaffairs.gov.au)
I want to apply [9]Become a citizen (homeaffairs.gov.au)
for Australian
Citizenship or [10]Evidence of citizenship and certificates Change
access/amend my a citizenship certificate (homeaffairs.gov.au)
citizenship
details
I want my travel [11]Requesting travel records (homeaffairs.gov.au)
records in and out
of Australia
I am having Use our [12]technical guide to troubleshoot in
technical problems [13]ImmiAccount.
lodging an
application If you are still unable to resolve your issue submit
the [14]ImmiAccount Technical Support Form
I wish to provide Provide information by [15]ImmiAccount. After you
information about submit your application, use [16]ImmiAccount to:
a visa application
or provide ·         apply for a bridging visa
information about
changes to my ·         access the My Health Declarations service
situation
·         attach documents to your online
application

· check the progress of your application

· update your passport or address details

· notify of incorrect information in your
application

Further details and instructions refer to
[17]ImmiAccount Help & Support

[18]Changes in your situation (homeaffairs.gov.au)
I have made an If you have been sent a request letter to complete
appointment for a health but are experiencing delays you can attach
health/biometrics details of your appointment to [19]ImmiAccount.
examination
I want to withdraw [20]You want to withdraw an application
my visa or (homeaffairs.gov.au)
citizenship
application
I want to update [21]Changes in your situation (homeaffairs.gov.au)
my address,
contact or
passport details
Can my visa fee be Refunds can only be made in very limited
refunded? circumstances governed by legislation.

For further information see [22]Getting a refund
(homeaffairs.gov.au)
Visa eligibility Information on [23]visa options is available on the
query Department’s website.
Since my visa was [24]Changes in your situation (homeaffairs.gov.au)
granted I have had
a child born in
Australia
I want to report [25]Border Watch Online Report (homeaffairs.gov.au)
suspicious or
illegal
immigration, visa,
customs and trade
activity.
I want to lodge Find out how to provide [26]Compliments, complaints
feedback about a and suggestions
Department service

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, the ABF and the National Emergency
Management Agency 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

OFFICIAL

In reply please quote:

FOI request: FA24/10/00102

File number: FA24/10/00102

Dear CR (Right to Know)

Notification of invalid Freedom of Information internal review request

I refer to your email received by the Department of Home Affairs (the
Department) on 05 November 2024, in which you requested an internal review
of Freedom of Information request FA24/10/00102.

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 01 October 2024 the Department received your original FOI request. On
31 October 2024, the Department was deemed to have refused your original
request under Section 15AC because it had not made its decision on your
request by 31 October 2024, the last day of the statutory timeframe
prescribed by the FOI Act.

While the Department eventually made a decision on your request on 02
November 2024, section 15AC of the FOI Act continued to apply to your
request and was not negated by the later substantive decision.

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 seek an Information Commissioner (IC) review of the Department’s
substantive access refusal decision. As you have already requested an IC
review in relation to the Department’s earlier deemed refusal decision,
the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) is able to
extend that review to incorporate a review of the Department’s substantive
decision.

There is no need to lodge a new IC review – an OAIC review officer will be
in touch with you shortly to seek your advice as to whether you wish to
proceed with your current IC review, and will provide you with an
opportunity to raise any issues you wish the IC review to consider.

Further information about Information Commissioner reviews [1]is available
on the OAIC website.

Making a complaint to the Office of the Australian Information
Commissioner

You may also complain to the Australian Information Commissioner about
action taken by the Department in relation to your request. You can make a
complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
by completing their [2]FOI complaint form.

Further information about the FOI complaint process [3]is available on the
OAIC website.

Kind regards,

Nurun

Freedom of Information Reviews Team

Privacy, FOI and Records Management Branch | Legal Group

Department of Home Affairs

E: [4][email address]

Date: 11 November 2024

OFFICIAL

From: FOI <[Department of Home Affairs request email]>
Sent: Tuesday, 5 November 2024 10:56 AM
To: FOI Reviews mailbox <[email address]>
Cc: Claire BARTLE <[email address]>
Subject: CM: FW: Internal review of Freedom of Information request - FOI
charges letters [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Good morning Reviews Team

Please see correspondence below, applicant seeking internal review.

Thank you,

Kind Regards,

Tahra

Position number: 60181896

Authorised FOI Officer | Freedom of Information Section
Privacy, FOI & Records Management Branch | Legal Group
Department of Home Affairs

E: [5][Department of Home Affairs request email]

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

OFFICIAL

-----Original Message-----
From: CR <[6][FOI #12119 email]>
Sent: Tuesday, 5 November 2024 9:55 AM
To: FOI <[7][Department of Home Affairs request email]>
Subject: Internal review of Freedom of Information request - FOI charges
letters

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 the Department of Home
Affairs's handling of my FOI request 'FOI charges letters' (FA
24/10/00102).

Please conduct a fresh search for documents 6, 12 and 17.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on
the Internet at this address:
[8]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/f...

Yours faithfully,

CR

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

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[9][FOI #12119 email]

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:

[10]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, the ABF and the National Emergency
Management Agency 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.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
2. https://webform.oaic.gov.au/prod?entityt...
3. https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
4. mailto:[email address]
5. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]
6. mailto:[FOI #12119 email]
7. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]
8. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/f...
9. mailto:[FOI #12119 email]
10. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...

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OFFICIAL

Dear CR

FOI request FA 24/10/00102

I refer to your FOI request received on 1 October 2024, seeking access to
the following:

I request access to the following documents under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982:

1. The most recent 30 notices of charges issued to FOI applicants.

For each of these 30 requests, if applicable, please also provide:

2. Any subsequent decisions regarding charges following applicant
contention
3. Any subsequent decisions regarding charges following internal or
external review.

Please exclude the following information:
i) Personal information of FOI applicants.

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

This request has now been closed.

Kind regards

Tony

Position number: 60201320

Authorised FOI Officer | Freedom of Information

Privacy, FOI and Records Management Branch | Legal Group

Department of Home Affairs

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

[2]Acknowledgement of Country Signature Block Graphic 2022

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, the ABF and the National Emergency
Management Agency 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]

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