Updated Revised Citizenship Procedural Instructions

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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.

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.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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
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information about submit your application, use [16]ImmiAccount to:
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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
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my visa or (homeaffairs.gov.au)
citizenship
application
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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 lodge Find out how to provide [25]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 24/06/00339

File Number: FA24/06/00339

Dear Oliver Smith

Acknowledgement of Freedom of Information Access request

This letter acknowledges that on 5 June 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:

Under the FOI Act, I seek a copy of the most recent version of the "The
Revised Citizenship Procedural Instructions" that is provided to members
of the AAT to assist them adjudicating in matters. I seek the latest
version of this document from the time this FOI is actioned and the
document that advises AAT members how to use Ministerial Direction 99
which came into effect on 23 January 2023.

Your request has been allocated FOI request number FA 24/06/00339. 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: Oliver Smith <[FOI #11496 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, 5 June 2024 6:04 PM
To: FOI <[Department of Home Affairs request email]>
Subject: CM: Freedom of Information request - Updated Revised Citizenship
Procedural Instructions

Dear Department of Home Affairs,

Under the FOI Act, I seek a copy of the most recent version of the "The
Revised Citizenship Procedural Instructions" that is provided to members
of the AAT to assist them adjudicating in matters. I seek the latest
version of this document from the time this FOI is actioned and the
document that advises AAT members how to use Ministerial Direction 99
which came into effect on 23 January 2023.

Yours faithfully,

Oliver Smith

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

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

[5][FOI #11496 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 #11496 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

OFFICIAL: Sensitive
Personal-Privacy

In reply please quote:

FOI Request: FA 24/06/00339
File Number: FA24/06/00339

Dear Oliver Smith

I refer to your request received on 05 June 2024 for access to documents
under the FOI Act.

The current due date for your request is 05 July 2024. Department seeks
your agreement under section 15AA of the FOI Act to extend the timeframe
for the processing of your request by 30 days. This would extend the due
date for your request to 05 August 2024.

The reason we are seeking an extension of time is due to demand for
Departmental documents is high and we continue to experience increasing
volumes of incoming requests particularly in recent months. Each request
received by the Department is managed in the context of this large volume
which can impact the timeliness of our decisions and as such we seek
agreement from applicants on extensions of time where possible. We are
endeavouring to ensure, as an applicant, you understand the likely
timeframe for your request to be finalised. We continue to try to process
requests as quickly as possible regardless of if an extension is provided.

If you could please provide a response to this request by close of
business, 21 June 2024.

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

Personal-Privacy
OFFICIAL: Sensitive

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

Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of this information
by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited.
The Department of Home Affairs, 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]

OFFICIAL: Sensitive
Personal-Privacy

In reply please quote:

FOI Request: FA 24/06/00339

File Number: FA24/06/00339

Dear Oliver Smith

I refer to your email dated 5 June 2024, in which you requested access to
documents held by the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) under
the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act).

You have requested access to the following:

Under the FOI Act, I seek a copy of the most recent version of the "The
Revised Citizenship Procedural Instructions" that is provided to members
of the AAT to assist them adjudicating in matters. I seek the latest
version of this document from the time this FOI is actioned and the
document that advises AAT members how to use Ministerial Direction 99
which came into effect on 23 January 2023.

Request Consultation Process

To enable the Department to consider your request for access under the FOI
Act, the Department will require further clarification, in order to enable
the Department to identify those documents.

You now have an opportunity to revise your request to ensure it is a valid
request under section 15(2)(b) of the FOI Act and to enable it to proceed.

a) Can you please confirm if you are seeking the following two
documents;-

· "The Revised Citizenship Procedural Instructions" that is
provided to members of the AAT to assist them adjudicating in matters

· The document that advises AAT members how to use Ministerial
Direction 99 which came into effect on 23 January 2023.

b) The first document is publically available on LEGEND and does not
relate to Ministerial Direction 99. Therefore, you may wish to consider
revising your scope and removing this document from your request.

Under section 24AB(6) of the FOI Act, you have 14 days to do one of the
following:

· withdraw your request;

· make a revised request;

· indicate that you do not wish to revise your request.

If you do not do one of the three things listed above during the
consultation period (14 days), or you do not consult the contact person
listed below during this period, your request will be taken to have been
withdrawn in accordance with section 24AB(7) of the FOI Act.

Contact

Should you wish to revise your request or have any questions in relation
to this process, please do not hesitate to contact
[1][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: [2][Department of Home Affairs request email]

Personal-Privacy
OFFICIAL: Sensitive

From: FOI
Sent: Friday, 7 June 2024 10:04 AM
To: 'Oliver Smith' <[FOI #11496 email]>
Subject: CM: Acknowledgement – FOI request FA 24/06/00339
[SEC=OFFICIAL:Sensitive, ACCESS=Personal-Privacy]

OFFICIAL: Sensitive
Personal-Privacy

In reply please quote:

FOI Request: FA 24/06/00339

File Number: FA24/06/00339

Dear Oliver Smith

Acknowledgement of Freedom of Information Access request

This letter acknowledges that on 5 June 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:

Under the FOI Act, I seek a copy of the most recent version of the "The
Revised Citizenship Procedural Instructions" that is provided to members
of the AAT to assist them adjudicating in matters. I seek the latest
version of this document from the time this FOI is actioned and the
document that advises AAT members how to use Ministerial Direction 99
which came into effect on 23 January 2023.

Your request has been allocated FOI request number FA 24/06/00339. 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 [3]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 [4]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
[5][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
[6][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: [7][Department of Home Affairs request email]

Personal-Privacy
OFFICIAL: Sensitive

-----Original Message-----
From: Oliver Smith <[8][FOI #11496 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, 5 June 2024 6:04 PM
To: FOI <[9][Department of Home Affairs request email]>
Subject: CM: Freedom of Information request - Updated Revised Citizenship
Procedural Instructions

Dear Department of Home Affairs,

Under the FOI Act, I seek a copy of the most recent version of the "The
Revised Citizenship Procedural Instructions" that is provided to members
of the AAT to assist them adjudicating in matters. I seek the latest
version of this document from the time this FOI is actioned and the
document that advises AAT members how to use Ministerial Direction 99
which came into effect on 23 January 2023.

Yours faithfully,

Oliver Smith

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

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

[10][FOI #11496 email]

Is [11][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:

[12]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:

[13]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. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]
2. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]
3. https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
4. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/access-an...
5. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]
6. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]
7. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]
8. mailto:[FOI #11496 email]
9. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]
10. mailto:[FOI #11496 email]
11. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]
12. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/change_re...
13. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...

hide quoted sections

OFFICIAL: Sensitive
Personal-Privacy

Good Afternoon Oliver Smith,

I am writing to follow up on the below email.

We note that on 17 June 2024, you provided a response to a clarification
of scope email for case FA 24/06/00338.
We note that the two requests have very similarly worded scopes. Is it
possible that this is a duplicate request?

You now have an opportunity to revise your request to ensure it is a valid
request under section 15(2)(b) of the FOI Act and to enable it to proceed.

a) Can you please confirm if you are seeking the following two
documents;-

· "The Revised Citizenship Procedural Instructions" that is provided
to members of the AAT to assist them adjudicating in matters

· The document that advises AAT members how to use Ministerial
Direction 99 which came into effect on 23 January 2023.

b) The first document is publically available on LEGEND and does not
relate to Ministerial Direction 99. Therefore, you may wish to consider
revising your scope and removing this document from your request.

Under section 24AB(6) of the FOI Act, you have been given 14 days (due 25
June 2024) to do one of the following:

· withdraw your request;

· make a revised request;

· indicate that you do not wish to revise your request.

If you do not do one of the three things listed above during the
consultation period (due 25 June 2024), or you do not consult the contact
person listed below during this period, your request will be taken to have
been withdrawn in accordance with section 24AB(7) of the FOI Act.

Contact

Should you wish to revise your request or have any questions in relation
to this process, please do not hesitate to contact
[1][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: [2][Department of Home Affairs request email]

Personal-Privacy
OFFICIAL: Sensitive

From: FOI
Sent: Tuesday, 11 June 2024 9:20 AM
To: 'Oliver Smith' <[FOI #11496 email]>
Subject: FA 24/06/00339 – Clarification of Scope – SMITH, Oliver (Right to
Know) - Due 25 June 2024 [SEC=OFFICIAL:Sensitive, ACCESS=Personal-Privacy]

OFFICIAL: Sensitive
Personal-Privacy

In reply please quote:

FOI Request: FA 24/06/00339

File Number: FA24/06/00339

Dear Oliver Smith

I refer to your email dated 5 June 2024, in which you requested access to
documents held by the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) under
the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act).

You have requested access to the following:

Under the FOI Act, I seek a copy of the most recent version of the "The
Revised Citizenship Procedural Instructions" that is provided to members
of the AAT to assist them adjudicating in matters. I seek the latest
version of this document from the time this FOI is actioned and the
document that advises AAT members how to use Ministerial Direction 99
which came into effect on 23 January 2023.

Request Consultation Process

To enable the Department to consider your request for access under the FOI
Act, the Department will require further clarification, in order to enable
the Department to identify those documents.

You now have an opportunity to revise your request to ensure it is a valid
request under section 15(2)(b) of the FOI Act and to enable it to proceed.

a) Can you please confirm if you are seeking the following two
documents;-

· "The Revised Citizenship Procedural Instructions" that is provided
to members of the AAT to assist them adjudicating in matters

· The document that advises AAT members how to use Ministerial
Direction 99 which came into effect on 23 January 2023.

b) The first document is publically available on LEGEND and does not
relate to Ministerial Direction 99. Therefore, you may wish to consider
revising your scope and removing this document from your request.

Under section 24AB(6) of the FOI Act, you have 14 days to do one of the
following:

· withdraw your request;

· make a revised request;

· indicate that you do not wish to revise your request.

If you do not do one of the three things listed above during the
consultation period (14 days), or you do not consult the contact person
listed below during this period, your request will be taken to have been
withdrawn in accordance with section 24AB(7) of the FOI Act.

Contact

Should you wish to revise your request or have any questions in relation
to this process, please do not hesitate to contact
[3][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

From: FOI
Sent: Friday, 7 June 2024 10:04 AM
To: 'Oliver Smith' <[5][FOI #11496 email]>
Subject: CM: Acknowledgement – FOI request FA 24/06/00339
[SEC=OFFICIAL:Sensitive, ACCESS=Personal-Privacy]

OFFICIAL: Sensitive
Personal-Privacy

In reply please quote:

FOI Request: FA 24/06/00339

File Number: FA24/06/00339

Dear Oliver Smith

Acknowledgement of Freedom of Information Access request

This letter acknowledges that on 5 June 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:

Under the FOI Act, I seek a copy of the most recent version of the "The
Revised Citizenship Procedural Instructions" that is provided to members
of the AAT to assist them adjudicating in matters. I seek the latest
version of this document from the time this FOI is actioned and the
document that advises AAT members how to use Ministerial Direction 99
which came into effect on 23 January 2023.

Your request has been allocated FOI request number FA 24/06/00339. 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 [6]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 [7]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
[8][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
[9][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: [10][Department of Home Affairs request email]

Personal-Privacy
OFFICIAL: Sensitive

-----Original Message-----
From: Oliver Smith <[11][FOI #11496 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, 5 June 2024 6:04 PM
To: FOI <[12][Department of Home Affairs request email]>
Subject: CM: Freedom of Information request - Updated Revised Citizenship
Procedural Instructions

Dear Department of Home Affairs,

Under the FOI Act, I seek a copy of the most recent version of the "The
Revised Citizenship Procedural Instructions" that is provided to members
of the AAT to assist them adjudicating in matters. I seek the latest
version of this document from the time this FOI is actioned and the
document that advises AAT members how to use Ministerial Direction 99
which came into effect on 23 January 2023.

Yours faithfully,

Oliver Smith

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

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

[13][FOI #11496 email]

Is [14][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:

[15]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:

[16]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

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hide quoted sections

OFFICIAL: Sensitive
Personal-Privacy

In reply please quote:

FOI Request:         FA 24/06/00339
File Number:         FA24/06/00339

Dear Oliver Smith,

Thank you for your email.

As per your instructions, this FOI request (FA 24/06/00339) has been withdrawn.
The remaining FOI request FA 24/06/00338 will continue to be processed.

No further action is required by you in this regard.

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: [Department of Home Affairs request email]

Personal-Privacy
OFFICIAL: Sensitive

-----Original Message-----
From: Oliver Smith <[FOI #11496 email]>
Sent: Tuesday, 18 June 2024 12:58 PM
To: FOI <[Department of Home Affairs request email]>
Subject: Re: FOLLOW UP FA 24/06/00339 – Clarification of Scope – SMITH, Oliver (Right to Know) - Due 25 June 2024 [SEC=OFFICIAL:Sensitive, ACCESS=Personal-Privacy]

Dear FOI,

Given the revised scope, I am happy for these FOI requests to be merged taking the widest intepretaration of both requests.

Thanks

Yours sincerely,

Oliver Smith

-----Original Message-----

OFFICIAL: Sensitive

Personal-Privacy

Good Afternoon Oliver Smith,

I am writing to follow up on the below email.

We note that on 17 June 2024, you provided a response to a clarification

of scope email for case FA 24/06/00338.

We note that the two requests have very similarly worded scopes. Is it

possible that this is a duplicate request?

You now have an opportunity to revise your request to ensure it is a valid

request under section 15(2)(b) of the FOI Act and to enable it to proceed.

a) Can you please confirm if you are seeking the following two

documents;-

· "The Revised Citizenship Procedural Instructions" that is provided

to members of the AAT to assist them adjudicating in matters

· The document that advises AAT members how to use Ministerial

Direction 99 which came into effect on 23 January 2023.

b) The first document is publically available on LEGEND and does not

relate to Ministerial Direction 99. Therefore, you may wish to consider

revising your scope and removing this document from your request.

Under section 24AB(6) of the FOI Act, you have been given 14 days (due 25

June 2024) to do one of the following:

· withdraw your request;

· make a revised request;

· indicate that you do not wish to revise your request.

If you do not do one of the three things listed above during the

consultation period (due 25 June 2024), or you do not consult the contact

person listed below during this period, your request will be taken to have

been withdrawn in accordance with section 24AB(7) of the FOI Act.

Contact

Should you wish to revise your request or have any questions in relation

to this process, please do not hesitate to contact

[1][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: [2][Department of Home Affairs request email]

Personal-Privacy

OFFICIAL: Sensitive

From: FOI

Sent: Tuesday, 11 June 2024 9:20 AM

To: 'Oliver Smith' <[FOI #11496 email]>

Subject: FA 24/06/00339 – Clarification of Scope – SMITH, Oliver (Right to

Know) - Due 25 June 2024 [SEC=OFFICIAL:Sensitive, ACCESS=Personal-Privacy]

OFFICIAL: Sensitive

Personal-Privacy

In reply please quote:

FOI Request: FA 24/06/00339

File Number: FA24/06/00339

Dear Oliver Smith

I refer to your email dated 5 June 2024, in which you requested access to

documents held by the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) under

the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act).

You have requested access to the following:

Under the FOI Act, I seek a copy of the most recent version of the "The

Revised Citizenship Procedural Instructions" that is provided to members

of the AAT to assist them adjudicating in matters. I seek the latest

version of this document from the time this FOI is actioned and the

document that advises AAT members how to use Ministerial Direction 99

which came into effect on 23 January 2023.

Request Consultation Process

To enable the Department to consider your request for access under the FOI

Act, the Department will require further clarification, in order to enable

the Department to identify those documents.

You now have an opportunity to revise your request to ensure it is a valid

request under section 15(2)(b) of the FOI Act and to enable it to proceed.

a) Can you please confirm if you are seeking the following two

documents;-

· "The Revised Citizenship Procedural Instructions" that is provided

to members of the AAT to assist them adjudicating in matters

· The document that advises AAT members how to use Ministerial

Direction 99 which came into effect on 23 January 2023.

b) The first document is publically available on LEGEND and does not

relate to Ministerial Direction 99. Therefore, you may wish to consider

revising your scope and removing this document from your request.

Under section 24AB(6) of the FOI Act, you have 14 days to do one of the

following:

· withdraw your request;

· make a revised request;

· indicate that you do not wish to revise your request.

If you do not do one of the three things listed above during the

consultation period (14 days), or you do not consult the contact person

listed below during this period, your request will be taken to have been

withdrawn in accordance with section 24AB(7) of the FOI Act.

Contact

Should you wish to revise your request or have any questions in relation

to this process, please do not hesitate to contact

[3][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

From: FOI

Sent: Friday, 7 June 2024 10:04 AM

To: 'Oliver Smith' <[5][FOI #11496 email]>

Subject: CM: Acknowledgement – FOI request FA 24/06/00339

[SEC=OFFICIAL:Sensitive, ACCESS=Personal-Privacy]

OFFICIAL: Sensitive

Personal-Privacy

In reply please quote:

FOI Request: FA 24/06/00339

File Number: FA24/06/00339

Dear Oliver Smith

Acknowledgement of Freedom of Information Access request

This letter acknowledges that on 5 June 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:

Under the FOI Act, I seek a copy of the most recent version of the "The

Revised Citizenship Procedural Instructions" that is provided to members

of the AAT to assist them adjudicating in matters. I seek the latest

version of this document from the time this FOI is actioned and the

document that advises AAT members how to use Ministerial Direction 99

which came into effect on 23 January 2023.

Your request has been allocated FOI request number FA 24/06/00339. 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 [6]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 [7]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

[8][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

[9][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: [10][Department of Home Affairs request email]

Personal-Privacy

OFFICIAL: Sensitive

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

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

[FOI #11496 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:

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.

hide quoted sections

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