DIMA Annual Report 1996-97

Secretary's Review - borders and integrity

The entry of tourists, temporary business entrants, students, working holiday makers, and cultural exchanges now exceeds 10 million movements into and out of Australia each year; growing at an annual rate of more than 10 per cent.

A key part of the Department's function is to encourage adherence to visa conditions. The visa system provides certainty to people coming to Australia as well as maintaining confidence in the Australian community that the people movements are managed in the national interest.

The Department's location of over stayers increased from some 7 800 locations in 1995-96 to more than 10 000 in 1996-97. In the 12 months to 30 June 1996, the number of over stayers in Australia had fallen by 6 000 to an estimated 45 000 people.

Data matching is a core strategy in locating these over stayers who may be unlawfully benefiting from Australia's hospitality by accessing social security and unemployment benefits and/or taking jobs of those lawfully able to work in Australia.

Data matching arrangements have been in place with the Departments of Social Security (DSS) and Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DEETYA) for some time. In 1996-97 these arrangements were extended to the Australian Tax Office (ATO) and the Health Insurance Commission (HIC).

The Department commenced a process aimed at entering a long-term strategic relationship for delivery of the detention function. Underpinning this long-term relationship will be a specific three-year contract for the delivery of detention services. The contract was put to tender and a number of proposals were received by the tender closing date of 9 May 1997. A decision will not be made until after 30 June 1997.

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