DIMA Annual Report 2000-01

Overview of outcome one departmental outputs

Output 1.1 Non-humanitarian entry and stay

1.1.1 Economic entry (permanent)

Description

Economic or skilled migrants contribute significantly to the long-term growth and development of Australia.

Key results

• 44,730 grants in the skill stream including the contingency reserve of 4,450. This accounted for 55 per cent of the Migration Program (80,610) compared to 50 per cent in 1999-2000
  
  
  • compared with the 2,500 places estimated to be used (of 5,000 available) in the Skill Stream contingency set aside for overseas students with Australian ICT qualifications who sought permanent migration, 2,600 were filled
    
    
• first full-year's implementation of the new skilled migration points test which led to
  
  
  • tighter focus of the skilled migrant intake on the needs of the Australian labour market through more than 50 per cent of principal applicants having occupations on the Migration Occupations in Demand List and approximately 50 per cent of applicants having an Australian qualification
    
    
• new legislative measures from 1 July 2001 allowing some successful overseas students completing their qualifications in Australia to apply for general skilled migration while remaining in Australia
  
  
• legislative amendments in force from 1 July 2001 strengthening the integrity of the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) process by providing for the cancellation of visas granted under the scheme where successful applicants do not fulfil their contractual obligations to the regional employer
  
  
• 1,020 RSMS visas were granted in 2000-01, a 54 per cent increase over previous year
  
  
• there was a 30 per cent improvement in processing times for RSMS visas and a 33 per cent improvement in processing times for the Employer Nomination Scheme
  
  
• monitoring of business skills migrants strengthened through implementation of a more systematic, streamlined and transparent checking regime, as well as a wide ranging information strategy to improve clients' understanding of Australia's visa requirements
  
  
• demand for visas in the business skills category increased considerably, with application rates nine per cent higher than the previous year and visa grants of 1,364, a 19 per cent increase over 1999-2000.

1.1.2 Family entry (permanent)

Description

The Family Stream focuses on the migration of immediate family members of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens. This includes spouses, fiances and dependent children (including adopted children). Other family members such as parents, aged dependent relatives, carers and remaining relatives are also eligible subject to capping arrangements, which restrict the number of places available each year.

Key results

• there were 33,465 visa grants in the Family Stream during 2000-01, compared with 32,000 in 1999-2000
  
  
• improved bona fides procedures (introduced in 1996) continue for partner visa applications. The most recent evaluation of the department's spouse bona fides strategy concluded that:
  
  
  • the interview rate for spouse and prospective spouse applicants was between 76 per cent and 91 per cent for high risk posts, depending on the level of risk, and 39 per cent for low risk posts
    
    
  • the interview rate for de facto spouse and interdependency applicants was close to 100 per cent
    
    
  • application rates had remained steady at between 4,000 - 5,000 per quarter compared with 6,000 - 7,000 per quarter before the strategy was introduced and
    
    
  • refusal rates increased from around eight per cent before the strategy was introduced to around 17 per cent in 1997-98 and were at 16 per cent at the time of the most recent evaluation
    
    
• a global median processing time for Provisional Spouse and Prospective Marriage applications of 26 and 21 weeks respectively
  
  
• development of strategies, with the Office of the Status of Women, to improve the Domestic Violence provisions and as far as possible prevent applicants for permanent residence having to remain in abusive relationships
  
  
• development of legislation to establish a new visa class requiring a higher level of contribution for health and welfare costs by parents and sponsors was rejected in the Senate in October 2000
  
  
• announcement of a parent contingency reserve of 1,000 places for the 2001-02 program year and 4,000 places per year thereafter, with availability contingent upon support from the community and Parliament for options that involve a greater share of the costs being met by applicants and their sponsors
  
  
• a total of 1,950 visa grants in the parent category, including 560 grants in the designated parent visa category
  
  
• new custody provisions in relation to minor children who apply for visas, which bring immigration requirements into line with the Family Law Act and strengthen Australia's position in relation to The Hague Convention on the International Aspects of Child Abduction
  
  
• following the signing of the bilateral agreement with the PRC in late 1999, the first children adopted under the agreement were granted visas during 2000
  
  
• regulation amendments started on 1 July 2000 to better target sponsorship and nomination of applicants for Remaining Relative visas.

1.1.3 Special eligibility

Description

The special eligibility stream includes the 1997 Resolution of Status (ROS) initiative and a small number of other categories such as former residents, former citizens and family of New Zealand citizens. In addition it provides for certain groups of people who inadvertently became unlawful non-citizens but who have maintained close ties with Australia. Apart from the ROS, visa numbers in the special eligibility classes are small.

Key results

There were 2,420 applicants who had been granted permanent residence including 2,030 under ROS provisions at the end of June 2001.

1.1.4 Visitors

Description

The objective of Australia's tourism and business visitor visa program is to contribute to, and support, the economic development of Australia through the short-term entry of genuine tourists, family visitors and business people.

Key results

• arrival figures at a record five million visitors to Australia in 2000
  
  
• visitor visa numbers, both onshore and offshore, increased by over 9.8 per cent in 2000-01 with significant growth from the PRC (53 per cent growth), Canada (25 per cent growth), the USA (18 per cent growth), Brazil (49 per cent growth), Thailand (14 per cent growth) and Indonesia (32 per cent growth)
  
  
• over 86 per cent of all short-term visitors arrive in Australia on ETAs issued through airlines and travel agents to the nationals of 32 countries and locations
  
  
• in June 2001, Australia announced that it would extend ETA access to citizens of Portugal from August 2001
  
  
• the non-return rate for all visitor visas was 2.15 per cent in 2000-01, down from 2.41 per cent in 1999-2000.
  
  
• announcement in May 2001 of a trial enabling ETA nationals to obtain their ETA over the Internet
  
  
• Approved Destination Status agreement with the PRC for group tourism enabled more efficient management of this growing market
  
  
  • PRC visitor grants increased by 35 per cent in 2000-01 over 1999-2000
    
    
  • 25,334 grants to PRC group tourists in 2000-01
    
    
  • fast processing times (2 days)
    
    
  • refusal and non-return rates of 0.61 and 0.24 per cent respectively compared with 11.12 and 4.11 per cent for PRC visitors for 1999-2000
    
    
• development of the International Event Coordinator Network
  
  
• assistance provided to the organisers of over 200 events in 2000-01, including visitors from over 100 countries.
  
  
• introduction of Sponsored Family Visitor Visa program leading to higher return rates of visitors from high-risk countries
  
  
  • 7,345 grants with a non-return rate of 8.24 per cent, which compared favourably with the non-return rates of visitors from high risk countries across the board (Vietnam 13.3 per cent, Lebanon 12.7 per cent, Fiji 9.2 per cent)

1.1.5 Temporary residence

Description

Temporary entry is designed to further Australia's economic and social/cultural interest and international relations. Stays in Australia of up to four years are provided for in a wide range of categories and circumstances, the most important of which are students, skilled employees, people establishing businesses and working holiday makers. Also included are sports people, media and film staff, entertainers, religious workers, retirees and occupational trainees.

Key results

Students

• student visa grants reached a record of 146,577 in 2000-01, a 23.1 per cent increase over the 1999-2000 level of 119,103
  
  
• student visa grants offshore in the top three markets, Peoples Republic of China, USA and Malaysia, increased by 46.2 per cent, 15.9 per cent and 5.7 per cent respectively, with a 26.3 per cent increase for Hong Kong, the fifth largest market
  
  
• extensive consultations with peak industry bodies and relevant government agencies lead to implementation of vastly improved arrangements for managing the overseas student program.

Working Holiday Makers

• 76,500 working holiday visa grants, a three per cent increase over 1999-2000
  
  
• reciprocal working holiday maker arrangements signed with Sweden, Denmark and Norway.

Temporary Residence

• 40,493 people (including dependants) were granted temporary (longstay) business visas to fill skills shortages in Australian businesses, an increase of 15.7 per cent
  
  
  • 85 per cent of primary applicants were professionals, managers and executives
    
    
  • 25 per cent of primary applicants were in the information and communications technology sector
    
    
• a 25 per cent increase in visa grants to medical practitioners who are recruited to fill area-of-need shortages, particularly in rural Australia. In 1999-2000, 1,419 visas were granted. In 2000-01 there were 1,780.
  
  
• a major review of the Temporary Residence program (covering 20 visas) to be completed shortly
  
  
• advancement of consultations on a review of the Independent Executive stream of the 457 temporary business long stay visa, arising from recommendations of the Business Advisory Panel
  
  
• announcement in June 2001 that minimum skill and salary thresholds would be introduced to streamline nomination requirements for business and ensure that the 457 temporary business long stay visa program remains targeted at highly-skilled people
  
  
• enhanced national monitoring of the 457 temporary business long stay visa program from 1 January 2001 targeting a minimum of 25 per cent of all business sponsors.

1.1.6 Resident Return Visas and Australian Declaratory Visas

Description

The purpose of Resident Return Visas (RRVs) is to facilitate the re-entry into Australia of non-citizen permanent residents; and to ensure that only those people who have a genuine commitment to residing in Australia, or who are contributing to Australia's well-being, retain the right to return to Australia and remain permanently.

Australian Declaratory Visas (ADVs) are issued in limited circumstances to Australian citizens who are under the age of 18 or have dual nationality who are in an emergency or have a compelling reason which prevents travel on an Australian passport. They are administrative documents that resemble a visa and identify the holder as an Australian citizen.

Key results

• 59,656 RRVs were granted to Australian permanent residents either in Australia or overseas during 2000-01. This compared with 73,129 grants in 1999-2000
  
  
• around 80 per cent of all RRV applications lodged in Australia are finalised on-the-spot at a DIMA office. Other applications are usually finalised within one working day
  
  
• 1,703 ADVs were granted (79 per cent in Australia) in 2000-01.

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