** 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 23/02/01377

File Number:  FA23/02/01377

Dear Anna G

I refer to your request to access documents under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act), which the Department of Home Affairs
(the Department) received on 21 February 2023.

As provided under section 29 of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the
FOI Act) and the Freedom of Information (Charges) Regulations 1982 (the
Regulations), I have determined that payment is required for this request
to be processed.

Preliminary assessment of charges

I have assessed the work the Department would need to do to process your
request, taking into account the time that would be spent by the relevant
business areas in producing documents from the Department’s computer
systems under section 17 of the FOI Act and assessing the documents for
release. I have calculated the charge as follows:

Search and retrieval: (1 hours 10 minutes @ $15 per hour) = $17.00

Decision making: No charge

(no charges are applied for the first five hours of decision-making)

Total: $17.00

(charge has been rounded down to the nearest whole dollar amount)

Next steps

Within 30 days of this email you must:

•      pay the charge indicated in the attached invoice for your request
to proceed, and/or

•      write to the Department if you believe the charge has been wrongly
assessed, should be reduced or not imposed, or

•      withdraw your request.

Your request will not be processed until you take one of these actions.
Your request will be withdrawn if you do not take action with 30 days.

Option 1: Pay the charge

If the Department does not make a decision on your request within the
statutory time limit, we will refund your payment.

Details of how to pay are contained in the attached invoice.

Option 2: Write to the Department to contend charges are incorrect or
should be waived or reduced

You can contest the charge on the grounds that the charge was not properly
calculated, or:

•          that payment of the charge, or part of it, would cause you
financial hardship

•          that giving access to the documents is in the general public
interest, or in the interest of a substantial section of the public.

This is not an exhaustive list and the Department may consider any other
relevant matters.

Please set out your reasons as clearly as possible and provide supporting
evidence.

The Department has a statutory timeframe of 30 days from the date of your
response to make a decision to reduce or not impose a charge. We will
notify you of our charges decision in writing.

You may still dispute the charge if you have paid the charge. If the
Department agrees to reduce or waive the charge, and the final charge
amount is less than the amount you have paid, we will issue you with a
refund.

Option 3: Withdraw your request

To withdraw your request, please send an email to
[1][Department of Home Affairs request email] or reply to this email stating that you wish to
withdraw the request.

If you withdraw your request, we will close your request and no charges
will be incurred.

Timeframe for your response

You must respond to this notice within 30 days, which is by Wednesday, 5
April 2023.

If you do not provide a written response within this timeframe your
request will be deemed withdrawn under section 29(2) of the Act. No
charges will be incurred.

Legislation and further information

A copy of the FOI Act is available at
[2]https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C2...

Information about how we calculate charges can be seen at: [3]We consider
your Freedom of Information request (homeaffairs.gov.au)

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner also provides
information about charging at: [4]What charges may apply? - Home
(oaic.gov.au)

Contact

Please contact [5][Department of Home Affairs request email] if you have any questions about
this notice.

Yours sincerely,

[electronically signed]

Lynette

Position number: 60025562

Authorised FOI Officer

Freedom of Information Section

FOI and Records Management Branch | Legal Group

Department of Home Affairs

E: [6][Department of Home Affairs request email]

[7]cid:image001.png@01D8B643.CCD9CEC0

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. https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C2...
3. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/access-an...
4. https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
5. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]
6. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]

Dear Customer,

Please see attached Receipt for your recent payment.

Important Notice:
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.
Home Affairs respects your privacy and has obligations under the Privacy Act 1988.
The official departmental privacy policy can be viewed on the department's website.

This is a system generated message, please do not reply.

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.

** 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

24 March 2023

Anna G

BY EMAIL:  [FOI #9966 email]

In reply please quote:

FOI Request:       FA 23/02/01377

File Number:       FA23/02/01377

Dear Anna G

Freedom of Information (FOI) request – Access Decision

On 21 February 2023, the Department of Home Affairs (the Department)
received a request for access to documents 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 documents:

[1] I would like to know the total number of citizenship applicants from
the City of Ryde that are/were waiting for their citizenship ceremony. [2]
The requested time period is from November 2022 to June 2023. Please send
the total number of applicants that were waiting at the end of each month.

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 documents or to amend or
annotate records.

3.    Relevant material

In reaching my decision I referred to the following:

·         the terms of your request

·         the documents 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 part 1 of your request. The data produced in the document
existed in the possession of the Department on 21 February 2023 when your
FOI request was received.

With regard to part 2 of your request, the Department can only provide
data to hand as at the time of your request. We do not yet have data
available beyond 17 February 2023. Please note the information you seek
can be found on the following Department’s web page, at: 
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/ge...

5.    Decision

The decision in relation to the document in the possession of the
Department which falls within the scope of your request is as follows:

·         Release one document in full

6.    Legislation

A copy of the FOI Act is available at
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.    Final decision on charge

On 6 March 2023 the Department issued you with a notice of the preliminary
charge in the amount of $17.00 to process your request, which includes the
first five hours of decision-making at no cost.

Amount already paid

On 7 March 2023, the Department received your payment of $17.00 - the
total charge indicated in the preliminary charges notice issued by the
Department.

As you have paid the full amount required, the Department is now releasing
the document to you. If you are dissatisfied with my decision to impose
charges, your review rights are set out in the paragraph titled “Your
Review Rights” below.

8.    Your Review Rights

Internal Review

If you disagree with this decision, you have the right to apply for an
internal review by the Department of this decision.  Any request for
internal review must be provided to the Department within 30 days of you
being notified of the decision.  Where possible please attach reasons why
you believe a review of the decision is necessary.  The internal review
will be carried out by an officer other than the original decision maker
and the Department must make a review decision within 30 days. 

Applications for review should be sent to:

By email to: [1][email address]

OR

By mail to:

Freedom of Information Section

Department of Home Affairs

PO Box 25

BELCONNEN   ACT  2617

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 ow to submit a request for a review to the OAIC, please
see
[2]https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor....

9.    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.

10.   Contacting the FOI Section

Should you wish to discuss this decision, please do not hesitate to
contact the FOI Section at [Department of Home Affairs request email].

Yours sincerely,

[electronically signed]

Lynette

Position number: 60025562

Authorised FOI Officer

Freedom of Information Section

FOI and Records Management Branch | Legal Group

Department of Home Affairs

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

[5]cid:image001.png@01D8B643.CCD9CEC0

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:foi.reviews@
2. https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]