Correspondence involving the email address immigration.vietnam@dfat.gov.au from 1 December 2025 to 15 December 2025
Dear Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
I seek access under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) to documents held by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In particular, I request access to all documents held by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Specifically, I request access to all documents, including emails, and its attachments, and its forwarding details sent to or from the email address immigration. vietnam@dfat. gov.au (remove space) [email address] during the period from 1 December 2025 to 15 December 2025, inclusive.
This request is not limited to sensitive documents and personal information relating to any particular visa applicant. Where documents contain personal information relating to third-party visa applicants, I consent to the redaction of identifying personal information in accordance with section 47F of the Act.
If any documents are considered for exemption under section 47E(d) of the Act, I request that the Department identify with specificity the predicted adverse effect relied upon and explain how disclosure would reasonably be expected to cause that effect, rather than relying on general or speculative assertions. I note that general administrative correspondence and process-related communications do not, of themselves, attract section 47E(d), particularly where personal information has been redacted.
Yours faithfully,
Thu Phuong
OFFICIAL
FOI Request: LEX 13370
Dear Thu Phuong
Thank you for your email dated 17 February 2026 seeking access to documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
The purpose of this email is to advise you that your request has been transferred to the Department of Home Affairs.
Under section [16(2)] of the FOI Act, where a request is made for access to a document that originated with, or has been received from, a body which, or person who, is specified in Part I of Schedule 2 and is more closely connected with the functions of that body or person, than with those of the agency to which the request is made, the request shall be transferred to the department ... who administers the enactment by or under which the person or body is established or if the request relates to a document that originated with, or has been received from, a part of the Department of Defence specified in Division 2 of Part I of Schedule 2 - to that Department.
Accordingly, on 17 February 2026, the department transferred your request to agency.
We received your request on 17 February 2026 and the 30-day statutory period for processing your request commenced from the day after that date. The transfer of your request does not affect the due date for completion of your request. You should therefore expect a decision from agency by 19 March 2026. However, the statutory period of 30 days may be extended if agency needs to consult third parties or for other reasons. Agency will advise you if this happens.
Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us by return e-mail at [DFAT request email].
Kind regards
DFAT FOI Team
_____________________________________________________
FOI Officer | Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
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