DIMA Annual Report 1996-97
Sub-program 7.2: Citizenship
Objective
To grant citizenship to eligible persons so they can participate fully in Australian society.
Description
The citizenship sub-program covers policy on Australian citizenship and the planning and delivery of citizenship services. It is administered by Citizenship and Settlement Branch.
Citizenship services are available to clients from all departmental regional offices in Australia and from Australian posts overseas. In addition, designated Australia Post offices offer citizenship interviewing services. Citizenship ceremonies are normally undertaken by local government authorities, although the Department offers ceremonies in urgent or compassionate circumstances.
Financial and staffing resources summary
|
1996-97 |
1996-97 |
1995-96 |
|
|
Budgetary (cash) basis |
|||
|
Components of appropriations |
|||
|
Annual appropriations |
|||
|
Running costs |
8 008 |
9 813 |
10 334 |
|
Other program costs |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total appropriations |
8 008 |
9 813 |
10 334 |
|
Less adjustments |
1 448 |
1 447 |
1 447 |
|
Total outlays |
6 560 |
8 366 |
8 887 |
|
Total revenue |
8 143 |
7 119 |
5 403 |
|
Staffing |
|||
|
Staff years (actual) |
94 |
102 |
149 |
Performance information
Outcomes are measured by the extent to which:
- citizenship inquiries, applications and conferrals are effectively managed;
- processing of citizenship applications is improved;
- citizenship ceremonies are made more meaningful and memorable;
- support is provided for the establishment of an Australian Council on Citizenship; and
- awareness of the meaning and significance of Australian citizenship is increased.
Performance outcomes
(i) Citizenship inquiries
The toll-free national Citizenship Telephone Enquiry Line (C-TEL) received 205 000 calls representing an average of 17 100 calls per month (about 150 000 calls or 12 500 per month in 1995-96).
The number of applications for the grant of Australian citizenship lodged totalled nearly 110 000 (102 100 applications in 1995-96).
Recent trends in applications for grant of citizenship is at Table 10. Outcomes for other citizenship applications for this year is at Table 11.
Table 10: Number of applications for grant of citizenship, 1990-91 to 1996-97
|
1990-91 |
93 584 |
|
1991-92 |
102 513 |
|
1992-93 |
106 029 |
|
1993-94 |
93 727 |
|
1994-95 |
97 224 |
|
1995-96 |
102 144 |
|
1996-97 |
109 631 |
Table 11: Outcomes for other citizenship applications, 1995-96 and 1996-97
|
Category |
1995-96 |
1996-97 |
|
Certificates of Australian citizenship issues as evidence of Australian citizenship |
10 091 |
9 748 |
|
People registered as Australian citizens by descent |
7 810 |
8 296 |
|
People registered as losing Australian citizenship |
601 |
532 |
|
People resuming Australian citizenship |
424 |
279 |
More than 104 800 decisions on applications for grant of citizenship were made, including more than 102 100 approvals.
Australian citizenship was conferred on 108 266 people (including children who were part of their parents' applications).
Statistical information on the former nationality of persons granted Australian citizenship this year, as required by section 42(d) of the Australian Citizenship Act 1948, is provided in part four of this report, appendix 2.
Improved client information material and citizenship forms were introduced. This material offers clients more informative and comprehensive advice in plain English.
Negotiations continued with Australia Post to renew an agreement under which a number of non-metropolitan Australia Post outlets conduct citizenship interviews on behalf of the Department.
The arrangements assist clients who are located in regional or remote parts of Australia who are not easily able to reach departmental offices.
The number of outlets covered by the new contract is expected to be increased from the current 300 and should assist a greater number of clients.
Australia Post conducted about 8 800 interviews, on behalf of the Department. This represents a decrease of about 12 per cent on last year's figures.
The percentage of applications finalised within the target of three months from receipt was 91.1 per cent, compared with 92.4 per cent last year. Of these 43 per cent were finalised within a month of lodgment.
The number of complex applications which had been with the Department for more than three months totalled 1 037 at the end of 1996-97. This compared with 771 cases at the beginning of the year.
Of the 62 cases for review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, 15 departmental decisions were affirmed. The applicant or the Department withdrew from litigation in the remaining 47 cases.
Of the five cases considered by the Federal Court, departmental decisions were affirmed in two instances and overturned in one. Two applications were withdrawn by applicants prior to hearing.
(ii) Improved processing
Negotiations continued with the National Exchange of Police Information (NEPI) aimed at streamlining the arrangements under which NEPI provides national character checks for the Department for the purpose of assessing citizenship applications.
A direct communication line has been established between the Department and NEPI for the electronic transfer of data between the two agencies.
The direct link will improve the timeliness and operation of the checks by reducing the time taken from seven days to overnight processing.
(iii) Citizenship ceremonies
The citizenship ceremonies handbook was upgraded to enhance the value, meaning and content of citizenship ceremonies.
As at 30 June 1997, the revised handbook was at exposure draft stage and had been circulated for comment to local government authorities, which normally undertake citizenship ceremonies.
(iv) Australian Citizenship Council
Preliminary work, including canvassing posts for relevant overseas developments, on preparing for the establishment and operation of the council was undertaken.
It is expected that an Australian Citizenship Council will be established in 1997-98 to undertake a comprehensive independent review of Australian citizenship.
The Council's key tasks will be to extensively examine a range of significant citizenship issues and advise the Government on a completely updated Australian Citizenship Act.
The Council will also consider how Australia might celebrate the 50th anniversary of Australian citizenship in 1999.
(v) Significance of citizenship
A draft Australian citizenship booklet, for prospective Australian citizens, has been circulated to relevant government agencies and non-government organisations for comment.
It aims to outline the rules for acquiring and losing Australian citizenship, the rights and responsibilities of Australian citizenship and to provide a brief overview of Australian history and Australia's system of government.
It is expected that the booklet will be available in 1997-98.
A schools' kit, originally developed by the Department in 1995-96, has been developed for release on the Internet.
The kit was developed to assist teachers examine with their students the topic of Australian citizenship, to communicate the benefits of Australian citizenship and educate children on the privileges and responsibilities of being an Australian citizen.
The revised Internet version includes additional input on government and will be available to a wider audience. It is due for release in 1997-98.
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