Subclass 190 Global processing times
Dear Department of Home Affairs,
I am writing under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) to request access to documents that provide information on the reasons why the current published global processing time for the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa has reached approximately two years.
In particular, I seek access to documents that explain or set out:
The factors contributing to the extension of the average or global processing time for the subclass 190 visa.
Internal policies, procedural changes, or resourcing decisions made in the last three years that have influenced subclass 190 visa processing times.
Any reports, briefing notes, or internal correspondence prepared for senior officials or the Minister that address delays or prolonged processing of subclass 190 visas.
If any part of this request is considered too broad, I am willing to revise its scope to ensure it can be processed in an efficient and practical manner.
I note that under the FOI Act, charges may be imposed for processing requests. I would appreciate being informed if charges are likely to apply before the Department proceeds.
I request that all documents be provided electronically via reply to this request.
Yours faithfully,
Derek
[1]Australian Government Department of Home Affairs logo
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18. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/change-i...
19. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/visa...
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23. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/ge...
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OFFICIAL: Sensitive
Personal-Privacy
In reply please quote:
FOI Request: FA 25/09/00344
File Number: FA25/09/00344
Dear Derek
Acknowledgement of Freedom of Information Access request
This letter acknowledges that on 3 September 2025 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:
I am writing under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) to request
access to documents that provide information on the reasons why the
current published global processing time for the Skilled Nominated
(subclass 190) visa has reached approximately two years.
In particular, I seek access to documents that explain or set out:
The factors contributing to the extension of the average or global
processing time for the subclass 190 visa.
Internal policies, procedural changes, or resourcing decisions made in the
last three years that have influenced subclass 190 visa processing times.
Any reports, briefing notes, or internal correspondence prepared for
senior officials or the Minister that address delays or prolonged
processing of subclass 190 visas.
If any part of this request is considered too broad, I am willing to
revise its scope to ensure it can be processed in an efficient and
practical manner.
.
Your request has been allocated FOI request number FA 25/09/00344 . 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 [1]Freedom
of information reviews | OAIC.
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 [2]the Department’s website.
We do not provide personal details of staff or non-public facing
operational email addresses
The Department’s practice is to exclude the personal details of Government
employees, including contractors, 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 as irrelevant under section
22(1)(a)(ii) of the FOI Act. 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
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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
[3][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
[4][Department of Home Affairs request email].
Thanking You
Julie
Position no. 60210421
Authorised FOI Officer, Freedom of Information
Privacy, FOI and Records Management Branch | Legal Group
Department of Home Affairs
E: [5][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. https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
2. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/access-an...
3. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]
4. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]
5. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]
OFFICIAL: Sensitive
Dear Derek,
I refer to your request received on 3 September 2025 for access to
documents under the FOI Act.
The current due date for your request is 3 October 2025.
In order for the Department to complete the process of retrieving all the
documents that fall within the scope of your request 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 Sunday 2 November 2025.
However, as this date falls on a non-working day, section 36(2) of the
Acts Interpretation Act 1901 provides that the latest date the Department
may issue a decision would be the next working day, which is Monday 3
November 2025.
It would assist the Department in managing its FOI caseload if you could
provide a response to this request by close of business, Monday 29
September 2025
If you wish to discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to
contact me on the details below.
Kind Regards,
Tahra
Position number: 60181896
Authorised FOI Officer | Freedom of Information Section
Privacy, FOI & Records Management Branch | Legal Group
Department of Home Affairs
E: [1][Department of Home Affairs request email]
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]
OFFICIAL: Sensitive
Dear Derek,
I am following up on a request for extension of time of 30 days that was
forwarded to you on the 26 September 2025. Kindly confirm if you agree to
the extension of time of 30 days or not please.
Please find the email below requesting an extension of time of 30 days,
with extended due date of Monday 3 November 2025, to finalise the FOI
request.
Kindly respond to this email by COB 02 October 2025.
Thanking You
Julie
Position no. 60210421
Authorised FOI Officer, Freedom of Information
Privacy, FOI and Records Management Branch | Legal Group
Department of Home Affairs
E: [1][Department of Home Affairs request email]
OFFICIAL: Sensitive
From: FOI
Sent: Friday, 26 September 2025 9:48 AM
To: '[FOI #13576 email]'
<[FOI #13576 email]>
Subject: FOI Request FA 25/09/00344 - Request for Extension of time - Due
29 September 2025 [SEC=OFFICIAL:Sensitive]
OFFICIAL: Sensitive
Dear Derek,
I refer to your request received on 3 September 2025 for access to
documents under the FOI Act.
The current due date for your request is 3 October 2025.
In order for the Department to complete the process of retrieving all the
documents that fall within the scope of your request 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 Sunday 2 November 2025.
However, as this date falls on a non-working day, section 36(2) of the
Acts Interpretation Act 1901 provides that the latest date the Department
may issue a decision would be the next working day, which is Monday 3
November 2025.
It would assist the Department in managing its FOI caseload if you could
provide a response to this request by close of business, Monday 29
September 2025
If you wish to discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to
contact me on the details below.
Kind Regards,
Tahra
Position number: 60181896
Authorised FOI Officer | Freedom of Information Section
Privacy, FOI & Records Management Branch | Legal Group
Department of Home Affairs
E: [2][Department of Home Affairs request email]
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]
2. mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]
Dear FOI,
I am happy to proceed with an extension of time, with a maximum of 30 days, until Monday, 3 November 2025, to finalise the FOI request.
Kind regards,
Derek
OFFICIAL: Sensitive
Dear Derek,
Thank you for your response and agreeing to the extension of time of 30
days (Monday 3 November 2025) to process your FOI request.
Kind Regards
Julie
Position no. 60210421
Authorised FOI Officer, Freedom of Information
Privacy, FOI and Records Management Branch | Legal Group
Department of Home Affairs
E: [1][Department of Home Affairs request email]
OFFICIAL: Sensitive
From: Derek <[FOI #13576 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, 1 October 2025 9:24 AM
To: FOI <[Department of Home Affairs request email]>
Subject: Re: FOI Request FA 25/09/00344 - Request for Extension of time -
Follow up email - Response due 02 October 2025 [SEC=OFFICIAL:Sensitive]
Dear FOI,
I am happy to proceed with an extension of time, with a maximum of 30
days, until Monday, 3 November 2025, to finalise the FOI request.
Kind regards,
Derek
-----Original Message-----
OFFICIAL: Sensitive
Dear Derek,
I am following up on a request for extension of time of 30 days that was
forwarded to you on the 26 September 2025. Kindly confirm if you agree to
the extension of time of 30 days or not please.
Please find the email below requesting an extension of time of 30 days,
with extended due date of Monday 3 November 2025, to finalise the FOI
request.
Kindly respond to this email by COB 02 October 2025.
Thanking You
Julie
Position no. 60210421
Authorised FOI Officer, Freedom of Information
Privacy, FOI and Records Management Branch | Legal Group
Department of Home Affairs
E: [1][Department of Home Affairs request email]
OFFICIAL: Sensitive
From: FOI
Sent: Friday, 26 September 2025 9:48 AM
To: '[FOI #13576 email]'
<[FOI #13576 email]>
Subject: FOI Request FA 25/09/00344 - Request for Extension of time - Due
29 September 2025 [SEC=OFFICIAL:Sensitive]
OFFICIAL: Sensitive
Dear Derek,
I refer to your request received on 3 September 2025 for access to
documents under the FOI Act.
The current due date for your request is 3 October 2025.
In order for the Department to complete the process of retrieving all the
documents that fall within the scope of your request 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 Sunday 2 November 2025.
However, as this date falls on a non-working day, section 36(2) of the
Acts Interpretation Act 1901 provides that the latest date the Department
may issue a decision would be the next working day, which is Monday 3
November 2025.
It would assist the Department in managing its FOI caseload if you could
provide a response to this request by close of business, Monday 29
September 2025
If you wish to discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to
contact me on the details below.
Kind Regards,
Tahra
Position number: 60181896
Authorised FOI Officer | Freedom of Information Section
Privacy, FOI & Records Management Branch | Legal Group
Department of Home Affairs
E: [2][Department of Home Affairs request email]
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. [2]mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]
2. [3]mailto:[Department of Home Affairs request email]
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References
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