18 July 2017
In reply please quote
FOI Request FA 17/05/01279
File Number ADF2017/55513
Merhej E
Sent via email: GIPAboy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Dear Merhej E
Freedom of Information request – Release of documents
This letter refers to your request received on 24 May 2017 seeking access under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the following documents:
1. Number of partner visa applications lodged in the Australian Visa processing centre in
Jordan in 2016 and 2017 to date (24 May 2017) by nationality (Iraqi and Syrian
applicants)?
2. Number of partner visa applications that were successful in 2016 and 2017,
separately by year.
3. Number of decision makers in the visa processing centre in Jordan which decide
partner visa applications.
4. What is the actual average waiting time for processing partner visa applications in
2016 and 2017 in the visa processing centre/embassy in Jordan?
This letter is to provide you with the decision, which is set out in the attached Decision
Record – Attachment A.
FOI Legislation
A copy of the FOI Act is available for your reference from:
www.legislation.gov.au/Browse/ByTitle/Acts/InForce/0/0/Principal
Review rights Internal review
If you disagree with my decision, you have the right to apply for an internal review of my
decision. If you wish to make a request for internal review this must be sent within 30 days of
being notified of the decision. Where possible please attach reasons why you believe review
of the decision is necessary. The internal review will be carried out by an officer other than
6 Chan Street Belconnen ACT 2617
PO Box 25 BELCONNEN ACT 2616 • Telephone: 02 6264 1111 • Fax: 02 6225 6970 • www.border.gov.au
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the original decision-maker and the Department must make a review decision within 30 days.
Applications for review should be sent to:
Freedom of Information
Department of Immigration and Border Protection
PO Box 25
BELCONNEN ACT 2617
Or by email to: xxx.xxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx.xx
Review by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
You may apply directly to the Australian Information Commissioner for a review of my
decision. You must apply in writing within 60 days of this notice. For further information about
review rights under the FOI Act please see FOI fact sheet 12 ‘
Freedom of information – Your
review rights’, available online at www.oaic.gov.au .
How to make a complaint about the handling of your FOI request
You may complain to the Australian Information Commissioner if you have concerns about
how the department has handled your request under the FOI Act. Information about how to
submit a complaint is also available at www.oaic.gov.au .
Contacting the FOI section
If you wish to discuss this matter, I can be contacted using the details provided below.
Yours sincerely
Renata Buchanan
Authorised decision maker
Freedom of Information Section
Department of Immigration and Border Protection
Email xxx@xxxxxx.xxx.xx
Attachment(s)
Attachment A – Decision Record
Attachment B – Documents released
Attachment A
DECISION RECORD
Request Details FOI Request FA 17/05/01279
File Number ADF2017/55513
Scope of request
On 24 May 2017 you requested:
1. Number of partner visa applications lodged in the Australian Visa processing centre in
Jordan in 2016 and 2017 to date (24 May 2017) by nationality (Iraqi and Syrian
applicants)?
2. Number of partner visa applications that were successful in 2016 and 2017,
separately by year.
3. Number of decision makers in the visa processing centre in Jordan which decide
partner visa applications.
4. What is the actual average waiting time for processing partner visa applications in
2016 and 2017 in the visa processing centre/embassy in Jordan?
Documents in scope
The Department has used its electronic systems to produce a document containing the
information requested.
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 Departmental records.
Information considered
In reaching my decision, I have considered the following:
• The
Freedom of Information Act 1982;
• Consultations with relevant business areas;
• Departmental files and/or documents (identified above); and
• The Australian Information Commissioner’s Guidelines relating to access to
documents held by government.
6 Chan Street Belconnen ACT 2617
PO Box 25 BELCONNEN ACT 2616 • Telephone: 02 6264 1111 • Fax: 02 6225 6970 • www.border.gov.au
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Decision
I have decided to release the document to you in full. Refer to Attachment B.
(signed electronically)
Renata Buchanan
Authorised decision maker
Freedom of Information Section
Department of Immigration and Border Protection
Email xxx@xxxxxx.xxx.xx
18 July 2017
