We don't know whether the most recent response to this request contains information or not – if you are Naveen Nathan please sign in and let everyone know.

Procedures for detention and search of Australian citizens

We're waiting for Naveen Nathan to read a recent response and update the status.

Dear Department of Home Affairs,

Under Freedom of Information I request any information, records, paper documents, electronic records (or their contents) held or accessible by the Department of Home Affairs (‘DHA’) in relation to the activities of officers (including Electronic Examination officers) or Immigration and Border Protection workers (all collectively referred to as ‘officers’ for the purpose of this request) under the Customs Act 1901 (Cth) or Migration Act 1958 (Cth) or Australian Border Force Act 2015 (Cth) in the examination, copy of contents, extraction of data from, and retention of, mobile phones or other digital devices at the airport, specifically:

1. Any documents including policies, procedures, checklists, protocols or pro forma templates in databases (including the Customs document management system and the pro forma template forms for Information Reports and BAGS reports) guiding the activities of officers in the detention and search of Australian citizens who refuse to cooperate by disallowing examination or forensics of electronic devices such as laptop or mobile phones.

Yours faithfully,
Naveen Nathan
Naveen Nathan

FOI, Department of Home Affairs

** This is an automated response. Please do not reply to this email **

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

 

Your email has been received by the Department of Home Affairs Freedom of
Information (FOI) Section.

 

The FOI section only responds to valid FOI requests and other matters
relating to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act).  Visit the
FOI Information on our Website for more information on what [1]information
can be accessed under the FOI Act 1982.

 

What is a valid FOI request?

 

A valid FOI request may be for:

- documents you previously provided to the Department as part of a visa
application

- a copy of a decision record made by the Department

- statistical information held by the Department

- papers or briefings the Department prepared.

 

If your email is a valid FOI request, the Department will contact you
shortly to acknowledge your request.

 

A valid FOI request must:

o Be in writing and state the request is for consideration under the FOI
Act.
o Have enough information for us to be able to identify the documents
you are seeking.
o Provide a physical or electronic address where we can send our
decision.

 

Do not send duplicate emails as this may cause longer delays in processing
times.

 

What is an invalid FOI request?

 

Invalid FOI requests may include:

- Making a visa application

- Seeking evidence of your Australian Citizenship

- Seeking information about traveling to or departing Australia.

 

If your email is not specific an FOI request or FOI related matter, the
FOI section will not respond.

 

What happens next?

Once we receive and have registered your FOI request, we will send you an
acknowledgment letter by email. Read the acknowledgment letter carefully
for further instructions.

 

FOI requests are generally processed in the order they are received.

 

We will contact you as soon as the Department has assessed your request
under the FOI Act.

 

We’re responding to a large volume of requests

Due to the current high volume of requests, we will not provide progress
up-dates on current FOI requests.  This is to ensure we are able to
process as many requests as possible, including yours.

 

If processing your request is going to take us a lot of time and because
it is large or unspecific, it may be refused.  

 

Still have a question or request?

If you still have a question, which has not been answered above, and which
is about the work of the Department, use our general enquiries web page

[2]https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-sup...

 

You may be able to resolve your enquiry faster using these other resources

 

We only action and respond to FOI requests that are valid under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982. You may be able to resolve your enquiry
faster by using these resources:

 

General information about travelling to Australia:

 

The Department of Home Affairs, “Entering Australia” site
[3]https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/entering...

 

·       For visa and our requirements for entry to Australia
[4]https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/ge...

For a copy of your visa refusal or visa grant letter you should contact
the office where you lodged your visa application. 

·       To check your current visa details and conditions use the
Department’s Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) portal which can
be accessed [5]here

·       If you are experiencing technical difficulties in lodging your
visa application through ImmiAccount, submit your concerns through the
ImmiAccount Technical Support Form, which is accessible [6]here.

·       For evidence of your Australian Citizenship please refer [7]here.
The FOI Section does not process these requests.

·       For movement records or travel history complete the online
International Movement Records form [8]here. The FOI Section does not
process these requests.

·       To update your details, including your Passport details, you can
notify the Department [9]here. The FOI Section does not process these
requests.

 

 

We appreciate your feedback         

We appreciate your feedback to help improve our services.

 

If you would like to provide feedback to us please use our Compliments,
complaints and suggestions form.
[10]https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-and-...

 

 

Thank you

Information updated 11 January 2022

 

Important Notice: The content of this email is intended only for use by
the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received
this email by mistake, please advise the sender and delete the message and
attachments immediately.  This email, including attachments, may contain
confidential, sensitive, legally privileged and/or copyright information.
 

Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of this information
by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. 
The Department of Home Affairs and ABF respect your privacy and have
obligations under the Privacy Act 1988.  

Unsolicited commercial emails MUST NOT be sent to the originator of this
email.

References

Visible links
1. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/access-an...
2. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-sup...
3. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/entering...
4. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/ge...
5. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/al...
6. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-sup...
7. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizens...
8. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/entering...
9. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/change-i...
10. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-and-...

FOI, Department of Home Affairs

OFFICIAL: Sensitive
Personal-Privacy

In reply please quote:
FOI Request: FA 23/05/00821
File Number: FA23/05/00821

Dear Naveen Nathan

Acknowledgement of Freedom of Information Access request

This letter acknowledges that on 14 May 2023 the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) received your request to access documents held by the Department under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act). This letter also provides important information about your request.

Scope of request

You have requested access to the following:

Under Freedom of Information I request any information, records, paper documents, electronic records (or their contents) held or accessible by the Department of Home Affairs (‘DHA’) in relation to the activities of officers (including Electronic Examination officers) or Immigration and Border Protection workers (all collectively referred to as ‘officers’ for the purpose of this request) under the Customs Act 1901 (Cth) or Migration Act 1958 (Cth) or Australian Border Force Act 2015 (Cth) in the examination, copy of contents, extraction of data from, and retention of, mobile phones or other digital devices at the airport, specifically:

1. Any documents including policies, procedures, checklists, protocols or pro forma templates in databases (including the Customs document management system and the pro forma template forms for Information Reports and BAGS reports) guiding the activities of officers in the detention and search of Australian citizens who refuse to cooperate by disallowing examination or forensics of electronic devices such as laptop or mobile phones.

Your request has been allocated FOI request number FA 23/05/00821. Please include your FOI request number in all correspondence with the Freedom of Information Section.

Timeframe

The timeframe for processing a request is 30 days from the day we receive your request, as set out in the FOI Act.

Your review rights in relation to your request are available on the website of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

Fees and Charges

Charges do not apply to requests from individuals seeking access to documents about themselves. However, a charge may apply to all other requests for access to documents.

Charges are based on the amount of time the Department spends on your request. Charges can range from $10 to over $1,000 depending on the complexity and scope of your request. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner reported that across the public service, the average charge notified was $335.50 in 2020-21.

If a charge applies, you will be issued with a Notice of Charge that explains the charge and your options.

Detailed information about FOI charges that may apply to your FOI request is available on the Department’s website.

We do not provide personal details of staff

The Department’s practice is to exclude the personal details of staff not in the Senior Executive Service (SES), as well as the direct contact details of SES staff, contained in documents that fall within scope of an FOI request. If you require personal details of non-SES officers, or direct contact details of SES staff, please inform us so the decision maker may consider your request. Otherwise we will take it that you agree to that information being excluded from the scope of your request. However names of staff that have previously been released in departmental correspondence may be disclosed.

We do not provide duplicated documents

If the FOI decision-maker deems a document to be a duplicate, they will not assess those pages as part of your FOI request. This means that if a there is a decision to release the document to you, you will receive only one copy, even if multiple copies of that document exist.

Publication of document

Released documents you request may be published to our website

Where documents are released to you in response to your request, the Department may be required to publish these documents on its website within 10 working days in accordance with section 11C of the FOI Act. Publication will not be required where the documents contain personal or business affairs information.

How to reduce or withdraw your request

Reducing the scope of your request can reduce the time and charges associated with processing your FOI request.

To reduce or withdraw your request, contact the FOI section at [Department of Home Affairs request email] and include your FOI request number.

Contacting the FOI Section

Should you wish to discuss your request you may contact the FOI Section at [Department of Home Affairs request email].

Kind regards

FOI Officer - Jade
Freedom of Information
Department of Home Affairs
E: [Department of Home Affairs request email]
Personal-Privacy
OFFICIAL: Sensitive

-----Original Message-----
From: Naveen Nathan <[FOI #10306 email]>
Sent: Sunday, 14 May 2023 3:45 AM
To: FOI <[Department of Home Affairs request email]>
Subject: CM: Freedom of Information request - Procedures for detention and search of Australian citizens

Dear Department of Home Affairs,

Under Freedom of Information I request any information, records, paper documents, electronic records (or their contents) held or accessible by the Department of Home Affairs (‘DHA’) in relation to the activities of officers (including Electronic Examination officers) or Immigration and Border Protection workers (all collectively referred to as ‘officers’ for the purpose of this request) under the Customs Act 1901 (Cth) or Migration Act 1958 (Cth) or Australian Border Force Act 2015 (Cth) in the examination, copy of contents, extraction of data from, and retention of, mobile phones or other digital devices at the airport, specifically:

1. Any documents including policies, procedures, checklists, protocols or pro forma templates in databases (including the Customs document management system and the pro forma template forms for Information Reports and BAGS reports) guiding the activities of officers in the detention and search of Australian citizens who refuse to cooperate by disallowing examination or forensics of electronic devices such as laptop or mobile phones.

Yours faithfully,

Naveen Nathan

Naveen Nathan

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[FOI #10306 email]

Is [Department of Home Affairs request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information requests to Department of Home Affairs? If so, please contact us using this form:

https://www.righttoknow.org.au/change_re...

This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:

https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...

Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will be delayed.

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Important Notice: The content of this email is intended only for use by the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received this email by mistake, please advise the sender and delete the message and attachments immediately. This email, including attachments, may contain confidential, sensitive, legally privileged and/or copyright information.

Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. The Department of Home Affairs and ABF respect your privacy and have obligations under the Privacy Act 1988.

Unsolicited commercial emails MUST NOT be sent to the originator of this email.

hide quoted sections

FOI, Department of Home Affairs

OFFICIAL: Sensitive
Personal-Privacy

In reply please quote:

FOI Request:      FA 23/05/00821

File Number:     FA23/05/00821 

 

Dear Naveen Nathan

I refer to your request received on 14 May 2023 for access to documents
under the FOI Act. 

The current due date for your request is 13 June 2023. 

In order for the Department to complete the process of retrieving all the
documents that fall within the scope of your request and the subsequent
decision making process in relation to those documents, the Department
will require additional time to process your request.

The Department seeks your agreement under section 15AA of the FOI Act to
extend the timeframe for the processing of your request by 30 days.  This
would extend the due date for your request to Thursday 13 July 2023. 

It would assist the Department in managing its FOI caseload if you could
provide a response to this request by close of business, Monday 5 June
2023

If you wish to discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to
contact me on the details below.

 

Kind regards

 

FOI Officer - Jade

Freedom of Information

Department of Home Affairs

E: [1][Department of Home Affairs request email]

 

 

Personal-Privacy
OFFICIAL: Sensitive

 

 

Important Notice: The content of this email is intended only for use by
the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received
this email by mistake, please advise the sender and delete the message and
attachments immediately.  This email, including attachments, may contain
confidential, sensitive, legally privileged and/or copyright information.
 

Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of this information
by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. 
The Department of Home Affairs and ABF respect your privacy and have
obligations under the Privacy Act 1988.  

Unsolicited commercial emails MUST NOT be sent to the originator of this
email.

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]

Dear FOI Officer - Jade,

I agree to extend the timeframe for the processing of my request by 30 days.

Yours sincerely,

Naveen Nathan

Dear FOI Officer - Jade,

FOI Request: FA 23/05/00821
File Number: FA23/05/00821

I agree to extend the timeframe for the processing of my request by 30 days.

Yours sincerely,

Naveen Nathan

Dear FOI,

From previous correspondence the FOI was due July 13th. Is there any update on this?

Yours sincerely,

Naveen Nathan

FOI, Department of Home Affairs

OFFICIAL: Sensitive
Personal-Privacy

Good Morning Nathan,

 

I refer to your email below.

 

This request is currently being processed and will be finalised in two
weeks approximately.

 

Appreciate your understanding.

 

Thanking you,

 

Regards

 

Susan

FOI Case officer

Freedom of Information
FOI & Records Management Branch | Legal Group
Department of Home Affairs

E: [1][Department of Home Affairs request email]

 

 

 

Personal-Privacy
OFFICIAL: Sensitive

 

 

From: Naveen Nathan <[FOI #10306 email]>
Sent: Monday, 24 July 2023 8:57 PM
To: FOI <[Department of Home Affairs request email]>
Subject: Re: FOI Request FA 23/05/00821 - Request for Extension of time
[SEC=OFFICIAL:Sensitive, ACCESS=Personal-Privacy]

 

Dear FOI,

From previous correspondence the FOI was due July 13th. Is there any
update on this?

Yours sincerely,

Naveen Nathan

-----Original Message-----

OFFICIAL: Sensitive

 Personal-Privacy

 In reply please quote:

 FOI Request:      FA 23/05/00821

 File Number:     FA23/05/00821 

  

 Dear Naveen Nathan

 I refer to your request received on 14 May 2023 for access to documents

 under the FOI Act. 

 The current due date for your request is 13 June 2023. 

 In order for the Department to complete the process of retrieving all the

 documents that fall within the scope of your request and the subsequent

 decision making process in relation to those documents, the Department

 will require additional time to process your request.

 The Department seeks your agreement under section 15AA of the FOI Act to

 extend the timeframe for the processing of your request by 30 days.  This

 would extend the due date for your request to Thursday 13 July 2023. 

 It would assist the Department in managing its FOI caseload if you could

 provide a response to this request by close of business, Monday 5 June

 2023

 If you wish to discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to

 contact me on the details below.

  

 Kind regards

  

 FOI Officer - Jade

 Freedom of Information

 Department of Home Affairs

 E: [1][Department of Home Affairs request email]

  

  

 Personal-Privacy

 OFFICIAL: Sensitive

  

  

 Important Notice: The content of this email is intended only for use by

 the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received

 this email by mistake, please advise the sender and delete the message
and

 attachments immediately.  This email, including attachments, may contain

 confidential, sensitive, legally privileged and/or copyright information.

  

 Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of this
information

 by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. 

 The Department of Home Affairs and ABF respect your privacy and have

 obligations under the Privacy Act 1988.  

 Unsolicited commercial emails MUST NOT be sent to the originator of this

 email.

References

 Visible links

 1. [2]mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[3][FOI #10306 email]

This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:

[4]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...

Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Important Notice: The content of this email is intended only for use by
the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received
this email by mistake, please advise the sender and delete the message and
attachments immediately.  This email, including attachments, may contain
confidential, sensitive, legally privileged and/or copyright information.
 

Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of this information
by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. 
The Department of Home Affairs and ABF respect your privacy and have
obligations under the Privacy Act 1988.  

Unsolicited commercial emails MUST NOT be sent to the originator of this
email.

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]
2. mailto:[department
3. mailto:[FOI #10306 email]
4. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...

hide quoted sections

Dear FOI,

Hi, this request is more than 60 days overdue. Can we please get this expedited.

Yours sincerely,

Naveen Nathan

FOI, Department of Home Affairs

4 Attachments

  • Attachment

    Decision Letter FA23 05 00821.PDF.pdf

    2.0M Download View as HTML

  • Attachment

    Doc 3 ADD2019 2731340 MASTER SOP Use of Digital Device Examination to examine electronic devices BE 6197.PDF.pdf

    1.1M Download View as HTML

  • Attachment

    Doc 4 ADD2019 2716067 MASTER PI Digital Device Examination BE 6185 RELEASED.PDF.pdf

    1.2M Download View as HTML

  • Attachment

    Doc 1 OPD2017 201124 Procedural Instruction Baggage Examination at the border s.186 Customs Act RELEASED.PDF.pdf

    3.1M Download View as HTML

OFFICIAL: Sensitive
Personal-Privacy

 

Naveen Nathan

BY EMAIL:  [FOI #10306 email]

In reply please quote:

FOI Request:       FA 23/05/00821

File Number:       FA 2305/00821 

Dear Naveen Nathan

Freedom of Information (FOI) request – Access Decision

On 14 May 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 email is to provide you with a decision on your
request for access under the FOI Act.  Please find attached the decision
letter and the documents released.

 

Regards

 

Susan

FOI Case Officer

Freedom of Information
FOI & Records Management Branch | Legal Group
Department of Home Affairs

E: [1][Department of Home Affairs request email]

 

 

 

 

 

Personal-Privacy
OFFICIAL: Sensitive

 

 

Important Notice: The content of this email is intended only for use by
the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received
this email by mistake, please advise the sender and delete the message and
attachments immediately.  This email, including attachments, may contain
confidential, sensitive, legally privileged and/or copyright information.
 

Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of this information
by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. 
The Department of Home Affairs, the ABF and the National Emergency
Management Agency respect your privacy and have obligations under the
Privacy Act 1988.  

Unsolicited commercial emails MUST NOT be sent to the originator of this
email.

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]

We don't know whether the most recent response to this request contains information or not – if you are Naveen Nathan please sign in and let everyone know.