This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Visitor visa (subclass 600) Sponsored family stream'.


 
 
 
19 July 2022 
Hume Resident 
BY EMAIL:  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx 
In reply please quote: 
FOI Request: FA 22/07/00415 
File Number: OBJ2022/18288 
 
   
Dear Hume Resident 
I  refer to your request dated 7 July 2022 in which you have sought 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: 
 
Could you please let us know what is the oldest file/ Application lodgement date 

under Visitor visa (subclass 600) Sponsored family stream that has stil  not 
processed? 
 
Does this Visa is processed from Australia only? 

 
The people who lodged their application in November & December 2021 
retrospectively under Visitor visa (subclass 600) Sponsored family stream has all 
been processed?  
 
Visitor visa (subclass 600) Sponsored family stream longest wait time from 

Application lodgement since November 2021 to decision as at 07th July 2022? 
 
Visitor visa (subclass 600) Sponsored family stream current wait times excluding 

when borders were open?  
This letter is to notify you that a preliminary assessment indicates that you are liable to pay a 
charge for the processing of this request.  
As provided under section 29 of the FOI Act and the Freedom of  Information (Charges) 
Regulations 1982 (the Regulations), my preliminary assessment of the amount you are liable 
to pay is $18.75.  
Preliminary assessment of charges 
Under section 17 of the FOI Act, the Department has used its computer system to produce 
one document that contains information relevant to the terms of you request.  
 
6 Chan Street B 1
el  connen ACT 2617 
PO Box 25 Belconnen ACT 2616 • Email:xxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx  • w ww.homeaffairs.gov.au 
 
 


 
I  have assessed the work the Department would need to do to process your request, taking 
into account time spent by the relevant area to conduct the search and retrieval of documents 
and produce the document, and have calculated the following breakdown of charges. 
Search and Retrieval – 1 hour and 15 minutes @ $15 per hour 
$ 18.75 
Decision Making – 1 hour (first 5 hours free of charge) 
$ 0.00 
Total 
$ 18.75 
Deposit payable 
$0.00 
Details of the Charge 
It has taken one hour and 15 minutes to search for, retrieve and produce the document which 
fall within the scope of your request.  The one document consisting of one page wil  require a 
decision to be made on access and it is estimated that this wil   take one hour (noting that the 
first five hours are free of charge).   
As the charge is less than $25.00 the full amount wil   be sought if the charge is imposed. 
Please note that by paying the charge you are deemed to have accepted the charge;  
Timeframe for your response and next steps 
 
The FOI Act provides you with 30 days to respond, in writing, to this notice, which is Friday, 
19 August 2022
By this date you must do one of the following: 
• 
agree to pay the charge; 
• 
contend that the charge has been wrongly assessed; or should be reduced or not 
imposed; and explain your reasons; or 
• 
you may withdraw your request. 
Once you have paid, please advise the FOI Section at xxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx immediately 
to avoid delays in the processing of your request. 
Please note that if you do not provide a written response within the 30 day timeframe your 
request wil  be taken to have been withdrawn (by you) under section 29(2) of the Act.  
Contesting Charges 
If  you seek to contend the assessment of charges the Department may make  a decision on 
whether a charge should be reduced or not imposed and must take into account:  
• 
whether payment of the charge, or part of it, would cause you financial hardship 
• 
whether 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 and evidence in support of your reasons as clearly as possible. 
If  you believe that payment of the charge would cause you financial hardship, please provide 
sufficient details of your financial circumstances to enable the decision maker to make a well 
informed decision. 



 
Payment 
To indicate your agreement to pay the charge you are required to pay the deposit, or pay the 
charge in full. 
The Department has a  number of payment options available, including an online payment 
facility for credit/debit cards; automated telephone payment system and BPay. You may also 
pay the charge by cheque or money order. 
Please see the attached invoice for information and guidance regarding payment methods. 
If  the Department fails to make a decision on your request within the statutory time limit,  the 
payment wil  be refunded. 
Processing period suspended 
The period for processing your request is suspended from the day that you are deemed to 
have been ‘notified’ of the charge and resumes on: 
• 
the day you pay the charge in full or the required deposit; or  
• 
the day on which this agency makes a decision not to impose a charge.  
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. 
Contact 
If you have any enquiries concerning this matter, please contact the FOI Section at 
xxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx. 
 
 
Yours sincerely 
 
[Signed electronically] 
 
 
Vythees 
Position Number: 60141911 
FOI Officer | Freedom of Information Section 
FOI and Records Management Branch 
Data Division | Strategy and Law Enforcement Group 
Department of Home Affairs 
 


Document Outline