25 November 2022
David
BY EMAIL:  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
In reply please quote:
FOI Request: FA 22/11/00248
File Number: FA 22/11/00248
Dear David,
Freedom of Information (FOI) request – Access Decision
On 4 November 2022, 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 document:
Of visa subclass 476, and for each month of 2022, I would like to request your kind
assistance in providing information about the following:
- Total backlog.
- Total New applications.
- Total Assessed (Finished) applications.
Also, this type of visa, which is very specific and only for engineers, did not witness
any improvements regarding its processing times. Instead, Processing times
increased to be between 36 to 41 months (Source:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/global-
processing-times) despite the government incentives to increase migration visas to
cover the shortages in engineering occupations. Wil  there be any incentives to
escalate and expedite the processing times of visa 476? If so, when?
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 document or to amend or annotate records.
6 Chan Street Belconnen ACT 2617
PO Box 25 Belconnen ACT 2616 • Email: xxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx • www.homeaffairs.gov.au

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
• 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 4 November
2022 when your FOI request was received.
5
Decision
The decision in relation to the document in the possession of the Department which falls 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
Final decision on charge
On 18 November 2022 the Department issued you with a notice of the preliminary charge in the
amount of $12.50 to process your request, which includes the first five hours of decision-making
at no cost.
Amount already paid
On 24 November 2022, the Department received your payment of $12.50 -  the total
charge indicated in the preliminary charges notice issued by the Department.
As you have paid the full amount required, the Department is now releasing the document to you.
If you are dissatisfied with my decision to impose charges, your review rights are set out in the
paragraph titled “Your Review Rights” below.
8
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
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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
https:/ www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/reviews-and-complaints/information-
commissioner-review/.
9
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.
10  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.

Yours sincerely,

[Signed electronically]

Joanne
Position Number: 60100057
Authorised Decision Maker
Department of Home Affairs

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Document Outline