7 March 2023
GIPAboy
BY EMAIL: 'xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx'
In reply please quote:
FOI Request: FA 23/02/00154
File Number: FA23/02/00154
Dear GIPAboy,
Freedom of Information (FOI) request – Access Decision
On 30 January 2023, 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:
- number of successful visa applicants from Syrian Nationals lodged with the
Department of Home Affairs from 1 August 2022 to 31 January 2023 for tourist visa.
Please categories applications found by stream (e.g. family stream) and indicate if any
bond amounts were requested by Department, and if so, the average amount of the
bond amounts.
- number of unsuccessful visa applicants from Syrian nationals lodged with the
Department of Home Affairs from 1 August 2022 to 31 January 2023 for tourist visa.
Please categories applications found by stream (e.g. family stream) and by
grounds/reasons of refusal.
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.
3
Relevant material
In reaching my decision I referred to the following:
• the terms of your request
808 Bourke Street VIC 3008
PO Box 25 Belconnen ACT 2616 • Email: xxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx • www.homeaffairs.gov.au
• 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 part one of your request. The
data produced in the document existed in the possession of the Department on 30 January 2023
when your FOI request was received.
The Department has undertaken reasonable searches for documents that fall within part two of
your request.
According to the information provided by Treasury Reconciliations, no bonds were paid for
Syrian nationals on Sponsored Family Visitor visa applications for the period between 1/8/2022
to 9/2/2023.
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 part one document in full
• Refuse part two document in full
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 30 January 2023
when your FOI request was received. As such, I am refusing your request based on the
application of section 24A of the FOI Act.
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
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/.
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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.
Yours sincerely,
[Signed electronically]
Joanne
Position number 60100057
Authorised Decision Maker
Department of Home Affairs
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