This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request '309 finalisations'.


 
 
 
11 October 2021 
Ned 
BY EMAIL:  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx 
In reply please quote: 
FOI Request:  FA 21/09/00569 
File Number: 
OBJ2021/28097   
Dear Ned 
Freedom of Information (FOI) request - Access Decision 
On 12 September 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. 

Scope of request 
You have requested access to the following documents: 
Please provide the Number of 309 visa finalisations made in September 2021 at Colombo 
processing office (given the 30 day processing time for this Foi application true data wil  
likely be available at the time of assessment) 

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. 

Relevant material  
In reaching my decision I referred to the following: 
•  the terms of your 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 documents 
to which you sought access 
 
2 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 3001 
PO Box 241 Melbourne 3000 • xxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx  • www.homeaffairs.gov.au 
 
 


 

Documents in scope of request 
The Department has undertaken reasonable searches in relation to the documents you have 
requested to access. 
At the time of your FOI access request, the information you are seeking to access was not 
available  in discrete form and the Department was unable to produce a document via the 
ordinary use of a computer systems (under section 17 of the FOI Act) containing the required 
information as the reporting period of September 2021 had not yet finished.  

Decision 
Section 24A of the FOI Act provides that the Department may refuse a request for access to a 
document if all reasonable steps have been taken to find the document and the Department is 
satisfied that the document does not exist. 
I am satisfied that the Department has undertaken reasonable searches in relation to your 
request and that no documents were in the possession of the Department on 12 September 
2021 when your FOI request was received. As such, I am refusing your request based on the 
application of section 24A of the FOI Act.  
Please note: if you wish to obtain this information, you may re-lodge the FOI access request 
now that the reporting period of September 2021 has finished.  

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. 

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 
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information about review rights and how to submit a request for a review to the OAIC, please 
see 
https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/reviews-and-complaints/information-
commissioner-review/.  

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. 

Contacting the FOI Section 
Should you wish to discuss this decision, please do not hesitate to contact the FOI Section at 
xxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx. 
 
 
Rebecca  
Position Number 60007879 
Authorised Decision Maker 
Department of Home Affairs 
 
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