DIMIA Annual Report 2001-02
1.1.7 Resident Return and Australian Declaratory Visas
Objective
The overall goals of this output component are to:
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develop and administer visa arrangements which facilitate the re-entry of Australian permanent residents and ensure that only those people with a genuine commitment to residing in Australia, or who are contributing to Australia's well-being, retain the right to return and remain permanently in Australia
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provide documentation to facilitate the entry into Australia of Australian citizen dual nationals who have compelling reasons preventing them from travelling on an Australian passport
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provide Certificates of Evidence of Residence Status to Australian permanent residents who require evidence of their status.
Description
DIMIA seeks to meet these objectives through three broad groupings:
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Resident Return visas (RRVs)
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Australian Declaratory visas (ADVs)
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Certificates of Evidence of Residence Status (CERS).
Key results
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consistent with government policy that all appropriate services be available electronically by 2001, an internet lodgement and processing facility was introduced on 10 August 2001 for RRV applications lodged in Australia. This initiative seeks to:
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improve the standard of service delivery by adding an alternative lodgement option for clients
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provide a convenient option for applicants who live in remote locations
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reduce client queues at State and Territory Office counters
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ensure the integrity of decision-making is maintained
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the total number of RRV applications lodged during 2001-02 was 58,400. 49,679 RRVs were granted in Australia and 6,283 were granted overseas. 1,158 RRV applications were refused.
The number of electronic RRV applications received since the electronic facility was introduced on 10 August 2001 is 964 -
the department received 1,374 ADV applications during 2001-02. There were 1,312 ADV applications approved and five were refused during the period
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the number of CERS applications received during 2001-02 was 12,902, resulting in 12,848 CERS being issued. Sixteen CERS applications were refused.
OUTPUT 1.2 REFUGEE AND HUMANITARIAN ENTRY AND STAY
In 2001-02, under Output 1.2, the Humanitarian Program granted visas to resettle 8,458 people in Australia with regional priority given to people from Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East and SouthWest Asia regions as recommended by the UNHCR.
This program is especially important as it enables Australia to resettle those in the greatest need- those who are at risk if they remain where they are or have no other durable solution than resettlement in a third country.
3,885 Permanent and Temporary Protection visas and six Temporary Humanitarian Concern visas were also granted to persons seeking protection within Australia, resulting in a total Humanitarian Program outcome of 12,349 visas.
The Humanitarian Program outcome compared with 13,645 places available in the 2001-02 program year (consisting of 12,000 new places and 1,645 carried over from the previous program year). Unused places will be carried over into the next program year.
1.2.1 Offshore humanitarian
Objective
To assist people in humanitarian need overseas for whom resettlement in another country is the only option. To share the responsibility for refugee protection with the international community.
Description
Through the humanitarian program the government provides resettlement for refugees and others in greatest need of this durable solution. This output provides for the delivery of the humanitarian program as set by the government in such a way as to enhance settlement outcomes.
Key results
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8,458 visas granted for resettlement places delivered offshore, comprising:
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4,160 offshore refugee grants
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4,258 Special Humanitarian Program grants
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40 Special Assistance Category grants
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program flexibility managed within available places
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the closure of three remaining Special Assistance Categories (SAC) was finalised during 2001-02. These include the Former Yugoslav SAC (subclass 209), the Sri Lankan SAC (subclass 215) and the Ahmadi SAC (subclass 216).