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About the Department

DIMA Annual Report 1996-97

Secretary's Review - departmental operations and efficiencies

A key change in 1996–97 was a restructuring of the Department's operations to achieve efficiencies, to align policy and operational areas and to integrate the functions of the former Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA).

A new divisional structure was introduced in Central Office from 1 July 1996, reducing significantly the number of Senior Executive Services (SES) officers and other senior managers. The absorption in August 1996 of the former Bureau of Immigration, Multicultural and Population Research allowed for further streamlining with the functions being consolidated in Central Office.

Efficiencies in State operations were achieved through the closure of six regional offices in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. At the same time, a number of strategies were put in place to provide enhanced access to services for a much larger number of clients, especially those in non-metropolitan and rural areas:

  • A national inquiry telephone number which enables all clients to contact the Department for the cost of a local call.

  • Access to interactive recorded information addressing a range of common Portfolio inquiries.
  • Authorisation of Australia Post to conduct citizenship interviews.
  • Regular visits by departmental staff, not only to affected regional areas, but other rural areas.
  • Agreement of Migrant Resource Centres to continue to provide information and referral to increased numbers of departmental clients.

In addition, increasing automation and regional arrangements overseas allowed Australian-based immigration officers to be withdrawn from some overseas posts.

Significant advances in productivity are expected to flow from the linking of overseas posts to the Department through electronic mail and through the ETA, introduced in September 1996, which allows both tourists and business visitors to obtain a visa for Australia when they purchase their airline ticket overseas.

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