Outcome 1 Administered Items
Allowances for persons on temporary visas in the Humanitarian Programme
Objective
The objective of this item is to provide a cash allowance to holders of temporary humanitarian visas on their release from detention or arrival in Australia.
Table 45: Performance information - Allowances for persons on temporary visas in the Humanitarian Programme
| Measures | Results |
| Quantity | |
| The number assisted will depend on the number of non-citizens released from detention on subclass 785 visas or arriving on subclass 447 or 451 visas | 137 people assisted. |
| Quality | |
| Payments are made in accordance with criteria | Payments were made in accordance with criteria. |
Description
This item is one-off cash payment to cover the living expenses of temporary humanitarian visa holders after their release from detention or arrival in Australia until their first Centrelink special benefit payment. The maximum payment of $222 per adult and $78 per child is reduced by a dollar for every dollar possessed by the visa holder.
Analysis of performance
There were 94 subclass 785 visa holders who received a cash allowance in 2005-06, compared with 44 in 2004-05.
There were 43 holders of subclass 447, 451, and 786 visas received a cash allowance, compared with 201 in 2004-05.
The expenditure was $24 193.
Contribution to the secretariat for the inter-governmental consultations on asylum, refugee, and migration policies
Objective
The objective of this item is to support Australian policy objectives to promote managed migration, maintain an effective system of international protection, contribute to enhanced border security systems, and prevent illegal migration.
Table 46: Performance information - Contribution to the secretariat for inter-governmental consultations on asylum, refugee, and migration policies
| Measures | Results |
| Quantity | |
| Australia's funding contribution is provided in full and on time | Achieved. |
| Quality | |
| Extent to which secretariat provides effective forum for information exchange | The Secretariat continued its work of organising and coordinating information exchange on topics of interest to member states through distribution of documentation, and organisation of plenary meetings, working groups, and workshops. In 2005-06 the annual Chair, the Netherlands, concluded the strategic review of IGC activities. States agreed to revised terms of reference for all working groups and a revised working group structure. |
Description
During 2005-06, Australia contributed $128 520 towards the administrative costs of the Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC).
The IGC is an informal, non-decision making forum for information exchange and policy debate on issues relevant to the management of migratory flows. It provides an avenue for participating governments to benchmark national policies and to influence international standards and policies on a range of migration, asylum, and refugee issues.
The IGC currently comprises 15 participating states in Western Europe, North America, and Australasia. Greece will participate from January 2007. The European Union (EU), International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) are also participants.
Analysis of performance
The IGC provides participating states with a relatively informal but structured framework for developing a global perspective on migration and asylum issues that takes account of states' interests and operates independently from the United Nations (UN) umbrella. In particular, it is one of the few multilateral consultation mechanisms through which Australia can engage regularly and directly with many Western European states on domestic migration, asylum, and border control issues. This perspective informs and facilitates our regional and bilateral engagements as well as other multilateral (including UN sponsored) engagements.
Two meetings - the Chair's Workshop (April 2006) and the Full Round (May 2006) - were used as an opportunity for participating states to discuss national preparations for the United Nations High Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development to be held in New York from 14-15 September 2006. The meetings attracted high-level and multi-agency representation from several IGC states with a strong interest in the outcome of the high-level dialogue.
The Netherlands concluded the Strategic Review of IGC activities begun in 2004. At the Mini Full Round (December 2005), states agreed future IGC discussions will be structured around three issues: admission, enforcement, and control; asylum and refugees; and immigration and integration. To give effect to this decision:
- a working group on admission, enforcement, and control, superseding the working groups on smuggling and return, will hold its inaugural meeting in October 2006
- a working group on immigration and integration will begin its activities in 2007
- the terms of reference of the existing asylum working group have been extended to include all aspects of international refugee protection.
The Dutch Chair chose as its annual theme, 'Whole-of-government approach: towards a comprehensive approach to asylum, refugees and migration'. In various working groups Australia underlined the importance of multi-agency coordination to an effectively managed migration and humanitarian programme. In the anti-smuggling context, Australian participants highlighted the successful application of multi-agency coordination to combating maritime people-smuggling to Australia.
A workshop on immigration-related security issues, which the UK chaired, discussed and analysed issues related to the detention and removal of non-citizens identified as security risks. A workshop on integration policies in IGC states examined the linkage between entry policies and integration outcomes as well as various approaches to promoting social cohesion in order to combat radicalisation of ethnic minority youth.
Australia's new role as the Chair of the IGC Technology Working Group recognises our expertise in the application and promotion of identity and document verification technologies as tools for managing migration. The Chair's role will provide Australian policy-makers with an enhanced perspective on the benefits and issues associated with the implementation of the latest immigration-related technologies in countries of the European Union, the USA, and Canada.
Initiatives to address the situation of refugees and other displaced persons and to promote sustainable returns
Objective
The objective of this item is to promote a coordinated, international approach to the development of durable solutions for refugees and other displaced persons. The funding specifically assists international organisations and countries of first asylum deliver repatriation and/or integration projects. The programme is jointly administered by us and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).
Table 47: Performance informationÑInitiatives to address the situation of displaced refugees and promote sustainable returns
| Measures | Results |
| Quantity | |
| Aid contributions are paid by Australia in a timely manner and in accordance with Government priorities. | A total of $5.718m was available in 2005-06 under this item and was disbursed on a reintegration project in Afghanistan ($1.75m), an internally displaced people project in Sudan ($0.738m), and projects supporting displaced populations in Nepal ($0.7m) and Thailand ($0.5m). A further $2m spent in Iraq continues Australia's support for both repatriation and reintegration activities in Iraq. |
| Quality | |
| Extent to which Australia contributes to the development and implementation of strategies by the international community to address the situation of displaced people. | Australia's aid contribution supported the local integration and/or repatriation of displaced people throughout Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and South East Asia. |
Description
Australia supports comprehensive, integrated responses to humanitarian and refugee situations. Where refugees or displaced people are involved, Australia supports durable solutions that help affected populations integrate into countries of first asylum and/or return home voluntarily when circumstances allow. In the delivery of this year's programme, Australia has supported a range of United Nations (UN) and International Organization for Migration (IOM) projects as outlined below:
- $1.75 million to support the sustainable reintegration of returnee families to Afghanistan (United Nations Development Programme). This includes the provision of housing and other vital infrastructure to help returnees rebuild their lives in Afghanistan.
- $2.0 million to support the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) Cluster F project in Iraq, helping Iraqi authorities provide adequate assistance and effective protection to displaced populations in Iraq.
- $0.7 million to provide support to Bhutanese refugees in Nepal and internally displaced people (IDPs) under the auspices of the UNHCR, promoting awareness of refugees' and IDPs' rights and access to basic services.
- $0.738 million supporting IOM projects facilitating the sustainable return of Sudanese IDPs.
- $0.5 million to support a United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) project protecting the rights of refugees and displaced children in Thailand. The project aims to ensure greater educational opportunities for children in refugee camps on the Thai-Burma border.
Analysis of performance
Australia continues to work with the IOM and lead UN agencies to promote the implementation of preferred durable solutions to refugee and other displaced people scenarios.
Australia's contribution to a UNICEF project on the Thai-Burma border is helping Burmese refugees, providing educational opportunities for displaced Burmese children and young people. Contributions towards a project in Afghanistan support the sustainable reintegration of Afghan returnees and access to government funded land plots for some of the 600 000 landless returnees to Afghanistan. In funding a UNHCR project in Nepal, Australia is ensuring that basic needs of Bhutanese refugees are met.
In Sudan, contributions to the IOM will provide return transportation and medical support to 5000 internally displaced people. A further 8500 families will be provided with life-sustaining emergency material assistance during returns. In contributing to UNDG Cluster F activities in Iraq, Australia is helping local Iraqi authorities arrange the smooth repatriation of displaced Iraqis and the integration of displaced populations within Iraq.
International Organization for Migration (IOM) - contribution
Objective
The objective of this item is to support the achievement of Australian policy objectives in the area of promoting managed migration, including managed humanitarian migration, and the reduction of irregular migration.
Table 48: Performance information - International Organization for Migration contribution
| Measures | Results |
| Quantity | |
| Australia's funding contribution is provided in full and on time | Australia's contribution of $687 082 was paid in full and on time. |
| Quantity | |
| Extent to which the organisation meets member governments' objectives | IOM continues to provide an effective forum for encouraging states to seek managed migration solutions that best suit their economic and social circumstances and which reduce irregular migration. IOM also meets Australian and other member governments' interests by providing a worldwide capability for effective provision of migration services. |
Description
In 2005-06, Australia contributed $687 082 towards the administrative costs of the IOM. The IOM is an international organisation headquartered in Geneva that is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. As an inter-governmental body, IOM acts with its partners in the international community to assist in meeting the operational challenges of migration, promote understanding of migration issues, encourage social and economic development through migration, and uphold the human dignity and wellbeing of migrants.
Analysis of performance
The IOM continues to attract new member states and expand its operations, reflecting its flexible approach and global reach. Australia's contribution to the administrative costs of the IOM enables us to participate in the governance of the IOM and ensure its work continues to reflect Australia's interests, in particular a state-driven approach to managing migration.
Australia continues to use the opportunities provided by the IOM policy and governance dialogues to encourage the IOM and its members to seek practical solutions to migration issues, including in the Asia-Pacific region. Strategic issues formally discussed at the IOM during 2005-06 included the relationship between migration and development, the relationship between the IOM and the United Nations, and developing states' capacity to manage migration.
Broader policy analysis and engagement by the international community leads to greater international cooperation on migration policy issues and better implementation of managed migration approaches by governments.
Joint Commonwealth/state research programme for the payment to the Australian Population, Immigration, and Multicultural Research Programme
Objective
The objective of this iten is to provide information to assist with the formulation and assessment of policies by Australian Government, state and territory ministers, and departments.
Table 49: Performance Information - Joint Commonwealth/state research programme for the payment to the Australian Population, Immigration, and Multicultural Research Programme
| Measures | Results |
| Quantity | |
| Two research projects | Research projects during 2005-06 were:
|
| Quality | |
| Feedback on usefulness of the research | The states and territories are actively participating in, and fully support, the research projects. |
Description
The Australian Population, Immigration, and Multicultural Research Programme (APIMRP) was established jointly by the Australian Government and state and territory governments to undertake studies in the areas of migration, migration settlement, multicultural affairs, and population trends. Individual studies are designed to gather information not adequately covered by existing data and surveys.
In 2005-06 the Australian Government contributed $50 000 to this programme.
Analysis of performance
In 2005-06 the research programme continued research on the effectiveness of cross-cultural training in the Australian context, and the social impacts of migration. Both research items will be completed in 2006-07.
These research projects are important for policy makers and directly address the programme's core objective.
Offshore management of asylum seekers
Objective
The objective of this item is to facilitate the effective operation and management of offshore processing centres for asylum seekers in third countries.
Table 50: Performance Information - Offshore management of asylum seekers
| 2005-06 Measures | Results |
| Quality | |
| All persons in Offshore Processing Centres are accommodated and cared for and, where appropriate, repatriated or resettled. | Care arrangements for Offshore Processing Centre (OPC) residents met our expectations as set out in an Assurance Framework that we have with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Thirty-four residents were provided with a high level of care during the 2005-06 programme year. Thirty-two people were resettled to Australia during this time and at 30 June 2006 two people remained in Nauru in our direct care. During the 2005-06 programme year the PNG (Manus) OPC had no asylum seeker residents. |
| Quality | |
| Operational readiness is maintained in accordance with the capacity provided by the MOUs | Centres in PNG (Manus) and Nauru were maintained as contingency facilities - PNG (Manus) for the whole programme year and in Nauru from mid-November 2005 with the departure of the last residents. |
Description
Effective support is provided to allow people in offshore processing centres to be appropriately accommodated, cared for, and given the opportunity for any asylum claims to be considered.
Analysis of performance
The Offshore Processing Centres in Nauru and PNG (Manus) have been effective in delivering offshore asylum seeker processing. The centres are managed by the IOM at the invitation of the governments of Nauru and PNG (Manus).
Memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with Nauru and PNG (Manus) provide for the accommodation of up to 2500 people - 1500 in Nauru and 1000 in PNG (Manus). Initial agreements between Australia and the governments of Nauru and PNG (Manus) signed in 2001 have been remade and extended on a number of occasions. Current arrangements with both governments are in place to 30 June 2007.
We maintained a liaison presence in Nauru to facilitate management interactions on the ground and to enable quick coordinated responses to operational matters, such as medical evacuations. This presence, combined with the inter-agency coordination meetings, we hosted, resulted in a high level of cooperation between the many stakeholders involved in the various aspects of OPC management.
At 30 June 2006 there were no asylum seekers residing in OPCs and work was underway to reactivate the Nauru OPC from it previously mothballed condition. The PNG (Manus) OPC remained in a mothballed state as a contingency against future arrivals.
Payments to the Australian Red Cross Society for Asylum Seeker Assistance Scheme
Objective
The objective of this item is to provide financial assistance to eligible asylum seekers awaiting decisions on their protection visa application.
Table 51: Performance Information - Payments to the Australian Red Cross Society for the asylum seeker assistance scheme
| Measures | Results |
| Quantity | |
| Those eligible to receive assistance | 1507 people assisted. |
| Quality | |
| Payments are made by the Australian Red Cross to eligible asylum seekers in accordance with contractual obligations | Contractual obligations were met. |
Description
The Australian Red Cross has administered the Asylum Seeker Assistance (ASA) scheme under agreements with the Australian Government since 4 January 1993.
The ASA scheme provides financial assistance to asylum seekers, determined by the Australian Red Cross to be without means of support or disposable assets, who have been awaiting a primary decision on their protection visa application for six months or more. The ASA Scheme provides assistance for basic food, shelter, and health care. The rate of financial assistance is capped at 89 per cent of equivalent Special Benefit payments.
Since 1 July 1999, eligibility for ASA has included both primary and review applicants in financial hardship who cannot meet their basic needs and who have no continuing and adequate support. Applications for assistance at review are considered through the ASA exemption process on a case-by-case basis.
The ASA scheme also provides assistance to asylum seekers who are ineligible for income support but who cannot afford to pay for their health examination. This ensures that there is no financial impediment to accessing protection under the Refugees Convention.
Analysis of performance
In 2005-06, there were 1507 people assisted under the ASA scheme at a cost of $3.6 million compared with 1276 people assisted at a cost of $3.4 million in 2004-05.
Although there was an 18 per cent increase in the number of protection visa applicants assisted under the scheme in 2005-06, compared to 2004-05, costs were not significantly higher.
The relatively stable cost of the ASA scheme, despite the higher number of people assisted, was strongly influenced by our faster processing times for protection visa applications, in line with the Prime Minister's commitment of 17 June 2005.
Payments under Section 33 of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997
Table 52: Performance Information - Payments under s.33 of the FMA Act
| 2005-06 Measures | Results |
| Quality | |
| n/a | Nine payments made |
| Quality | |
| Payments are made in accordance with legislative requirements and guidelines as issued by the Minister for Finance and Administration | Payments made in accordance with legislative requirements and guidelines. |
Payments made under s.33 of theFinancial Management and Accountability Act 1997 are special discretionary compensatory payments (acts of grace) made in circumstances where there is no other viable avenue of redress available, and the Minister for Finance and Administration (or delegate) considers the payment is appropriate because of 'special circumstances'. During 2005-06, we received thirteen requests for act of grace payments. Eleven of these were forwarded to the delegate for consideration during this financial year. Nine were approved.
We sought additional act of grace payments for students affected by the decision of the Federal Magistrates Court in Uddin V MIMIA [FMCA 841 07 June 2005]. Sixty three act of grace payments were approved. These payments had not yet been processed as at 30 June 2006.
Refugee, humanitarian, and assisted movements - passage and associated costs
Objective
The objective of this item is to assist the movement of applicants approved for entry to Australia under the refugee component of the Offshore Humanitarian Programme and a proportion of offshore entrants under the secondary movements provisions.
Table 53: Performance information: Refugee, humanitarian, and assisted movementsÑpassage and associated costs
| Measures | Results |
| Quantity | |
| Up to 6000 refugees moved to Australia | 5618 |
| Medical processing completed for eligible Humanitarian Programme applicationsÑup to 7800 applicants assisted | 6885 |
| Quality | |
| Travel and medical processing completed in line with contractual obligations | In May 2006, we funded the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to engage RSM Bird Cameron to undertake an audit of IOM's compliance with the Travel and Associated Services contract. The audit concluded that the services provided by IOM were executed in accordance with their contractual obligations. |
Description
In December 2004, we entered into a new contract with the IOM for the assisted passage of applicants approved for entry to Australia under the refugee component of the Offshore Humanitarian Programme. These included the following visa subclasses
- subclass 200 (Refugee) visas
- subclass 201 (In-country Special Humanitarian Program) visas
- subclass 203 (Emergency Rescue) visas
- subclass 204 (Woman at Risk) visas
- a proportion of subclass 447 (Secondary Movement Offshore Temporary Entry) visas and subclass 451 (Secondary Movement Relocation Temporary Entry) visas.
The assistance provided under this contract covers the full cost of medical examination and airfares to Australia for eligible applicants. The number of people assisted under this programme in 2005-06 was 5618, an increase of 100 people from 2004-05. The IOM arranges medical screening services for applicants when requested by our posts.
The IOM is responsible for ticketing, pre-embarkation, and coordination arrangements associated with the movement of funded refugees. The IOM is reimbursed for all transportation and service costs incurred in the movement of these funded refugees to Australia.
Analysis of performance
$10.243 million was allocated under this programme in 2005-06 and the overall expenditure was $8.770 million.
Re-integration allowances
Objective
The objective of this item is to facilitate the re-integration of those people who want to return to their country of origin.
Table 54: Performance Information - Re-integration allowances
| 2005-06 Measures | Results |
| Quality | |
| Those eligible to receive the allowance | Three people. |
| Quality | |
| Payments are made in accordance with eligibility criteria | All payments were made in accordance with eligibility criteria. |
Description
Those eligible to receive the allowance:
- Afghan nationals in detention
- Afghan temporary protection visa holders
- Iranian nationals in detention
- holders of temporary protection, temporary humanitarian, and return pending visas
- Iraqi nationals in detention
- Iraqi temporary protection visa holders.
Analysis of performance
In 2005-06, of those people eligible for the reintegration package, three Iraqi nationals accepted and departed Australia with reintegration assistance. The small number of voluntary returns reflects the situation in Iraq.
Since the implementation in 2003 of the re-integration package for Iraqi nationals, 56 people have requested the package and returned to Iraq.
Safe haven allowances
Objective
The objective of this item is to provide financial support to people displaced by upheaval in their country for whom the government has provided temporary safe haven in Australia.
Description
Safe haven allowances are provided to those people on temporary safe haven visas not eligible for other income support benefits but in need of some financial support.
Analysis of performance
In 2005-06, $25 000 was allocated under the safe haven allowance provision.
An amount of $11 802 was used to assist people who held temporary safe haven visas during the financial year, compared to $68 901 in 2004-05.
Special appropriation - statutory self-regulation of migration agents
Objective
The objective of this item is to ensure the satisfactory self-regulation of the migration advice profession.
Description
The migration advice profession in Australia operates under statutory self-regulatory arrangements detailed in Part 3 of the Migration Act 1958. Under these powers, the Migration Institute of Australia was appointed as the industry regulator, known as the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA).
The core functions of the MARA include the registration of migration agents, handling complaints, and applying sanctions against migration agents who have breached the migration agents' Code of Conduct, in Schedule 2 of the Migration Agents Regulations 1998.
The number of registered migration agents increased by 18 agents from 3145 at 30 June 2005 to 3163 at 30 June 2006. In 2005-06, $5.5 million was budgeted against this item. The final appropriation was $4.7 million.
Analysis of performance
We worked closely with the MARA to support statutory self-regulation of the migration advice profession. Following regulation amendments that came into effect in April 2005, the MARA collected data on average fees charged by migration agents and published this information on their website in January 2006. This information aims to provide consumers with a fair and true indication of agents' fees.
To assist agents in the timely provision of sound and accurate advice to their clients, we developed the Agents Gateway website at (www.immi.gov.au/gateways/agents). The Agents Gateway provides up-to-date information on issues such as processing requirements and legislative change. It also provides quick and easy access to our e-Visa facilities. The Agents Gateway was launched by the Honourable Mr Andrew Robb AO MP, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister, at the national conference of the Migration Institute of Australia in March 2006.
New entry requirements for the profession will come into effect in late 2006. Before these changes were introduced, anyone intending to become a registered migration agent (and who did not hold a current practising certificate in law in an Australian state or territory) was required to pass a prescribed examination. This was the Migration Advice Professional Knowledge Entrance (MAPKE) examination administered by MARA.
Under the new arrangements, candidates for the profession who do not hold a current practising certificate must complete the Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law and Practice. The graduate certificate is offered by four Australian universities in different delivery modes, including by distance education.