19 May 2021
Amos Hills
BY EMAIL: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
In reply please quote:
FOI Request:  FA 21/04/00659
File Number:
OBJ2021/11877
Dear Amos Hills
Freedom of Information (FOI) request - Access Decision
On 15 April 2021, 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:
the current progress of the 188B visa processed by Hong Kong.
What the lodge dates of 188B visa applications you are currently processing?
Are you already processing 188B visa applications that are lodged after 2020?
What is the current number of visas issued and rejected (please list by different
states)?
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 document relevant to the request
• the FOI Act
5 Chan Street Belconnen ACT 2617
PO Box 25 Belconnen ACT 2616 • Telephone: 02 6264 1111 • Fax: 02 6225 6970 • www.homeaffairs.gov.au

•  Guidelines published by the Office of the Information Commissioner under section 93A
of the FOI Act (the FOI Guidelines)
•  advice from Departmental officers with  responsibility for matters relating to the
document to which you sought access
4
Document in scope of request
In accordance with section 17 of the FOI Act, the Department has used its computer system
to produce one document that contains information that falls within  the scope of your
request. The data produced in the document existed in the possession of the Department
on 15 April 2021 when your FOI request was received.
5
Decision
The decision in  relation to  the document in  the possession of  the Department which  fall
within the scope of your request is as follows:
•  Release one document in full.
6
Legislation
A copy of the FOI Act is available at https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C2004A02562.
If  you are unable to access the legislation through this website, please contact our office
for a copy.
7
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
wil   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: xxx.xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
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 how to submit a request for a review to the OAIC,
please see Fact Sheet 12 "Freedom of information – Your review rights", available online
at https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/foi-review-process.
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8
Making a Complaint
You may complain to the Australian Information Commissioner about action taken by the
Department in relation to your request.
Your enquiries to the Australian Information Commissioner can be directed to:
Phone 1300 363 992 (local call charge)
Email xxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx
There is no particular form required to make a complaint to the Australian Information
Commissioner. The request should be in writing and should set out the grounds on which
it is considered that the action taken in relation to the request should be investigated and
identify the Department of Home Affairs as the relevant agency.
9
Contacting the FOI Section
Should you wish to discuss this decision, please do not hesitate to contact the FOI Section
at xxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx.

Signed electronically

Antonette
Position number 60016903
Authorised Decision Maker
Department of Home Affairs
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Document Outline