Administered items
- Allowances for persons on temporary visas in the Humanitarian Programme
- Contribution to the secretariat for inter-governmental consultations on asylum, refugee and migration policies
- Initiatives to address the situation of displaced persons and promote sustainable returns
- International Organization for Migration (IOM) – contribution
- Joint Commonwealth, state and territory research programme payment to the Australian Population, Immigration and Multicultual Research Programme
- Offshore management of asylum seekers
- Payments to the Australian Red Cross Society for Asylum Seeker Assistance scheme
- Payments under section 33 Financial Management and Accountability Act
- Refugee, humanitarian and assisted movements – passage and associated costs
- Reintegration allowance
- Safe haven allowance
- Special appropriation – statutory self-regulation of migration agents
Allowances for persons on temporary visas in the Humanitarian Programme
Objective
- Provide a cash allowance to holders of temporary Humanitarian Programme visas.
Description
This item provides for a one-off cash payment to cover the living expenses of holders of temporary Humanitarian Programme visas after their release from detention or arrival in Australia until their first Centrelink income-support payment. The maximum payment of $222 per adult and $78 per child is reduced by a dollar for every dollar the visa holder possesses.
Performance
Seventy holders of a Temporary Protection (subclass 785) visa received a cash allowance in 2006-07, compared to 94 in 2005-06.
A cash allowance was provided to 32 holders of the Secondary Movement Offshore Entry (Temporary) (subclass 447) visa, Secondary Movement Relocation (Temporary) (subclass 451) visa and Temporary Humanitarian Concern (subclass 786) visa, compared to 43 in 2005-06. Expenditure on cash allowances was $13 998.
Contribution to the secretariat for inter-governmental consultations on asylum, refugee, and migration policies
Objective
- 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.
Description
During 2006-07, Australia contributed $127 632 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. The European Commission (EC), International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) also participate.
Performance
The IGC continued to perform strongly by providing participating states with a relatively informal framework for developing perspectives on current global migration and asylum issues that take into account individual state interests. The IGC operates independently of the United Nations. 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 the department’s regional and bilateral engagements as well as other multilateral engagement.
As chair, Ireland facilitated a successful discussion of its theme Designing Effective Immigration Systems. The Irish agenda covered key issues such as defining the objectives and principles of an immigration programme, stakeholder involvement, public opinion, effective institutional arrangements and evaluation. The managed migration dimensions of the chair’s theme were of particular interest to Australia. Australia was an active participant in dialogue with the chair and other participating states. Ireland provided a useful written report of findings, which will be updated annually.
The Irish theme was a timely prelude to the establishment of the IGC Immigration and Integration Working Group. Provision for the discussion of immigration systems and integration issues represents a significant broadening of the IGC agenda. Australia’s recognised expertise in the area will enable it to make a strong contribution to the new IGC focus on immigration.
At the full round in Dublin in May 2007, states discussed national preparations for the July 2007 Global Forum on Migration and Development (a follow-up event to the United Nations High Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development held in New York in September 2006) as well as a UNHCR plan for engagement on the issue of mixed population flows. The meeting attracted high level representation.
On other topics of specific or emerging interest, Sweden proposed and subsequently chaired a workshop on Iraq in March 2007.
At this workshop, states received an overview of the humanitarian challenges, including the situation of displaced Iraqis.
States also discussed their current policies as well as options for future responses.
Australia continued to chair the IGC Technology Working Group. Themes explored in 2006-07 were the role of documentation in effective immigration systems and the use of technologies to streamline visa application and border processing. Specific topics covered included:
- the use of DNA in immigration processes
- the integration of legacy IT systems with new biometric information
- international biometric standards
- managing the interface with the private sector and the public when rolling out technology
- models for e-visas
- risk assessment tools
- the use of outsourcing and common enrolment arrangements
- trusted/registered traveller programmes
- using biometric identifiers in border control contexts.
Initiatives to address the situation of displaced persons and promote sustainable returns
Objective
- Fund the development and implementation of durable solutions for displaced persons (whether this be through voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement) and to strengthen the protection afforded to displaced populations throughout the world.
Description
The programme is jointly administered by the department and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).
In 2006-07 Australia concentrated its efforts on assisting displaced populations in protracted situations (especially those within our region) and on urgently responding to the humanitarian needs of those displaced by conflict.
Support was provided to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Austcare, an Australian non-government organisation with protection expertise overseas, as follows:
- $1 million to UNHCR’s voluntary repatriation programme for Afghans
- $1 million to IOM to enable the continued provision of emergency relief to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in southern and central Iraq
- approximately $1.1 million to Austcare to strengthen the protection of Burmese refugees in Thailand, in particular to address sexual gender-based violence in Thai-Burma border camps
- approximately $700 000 to enhance UNHCR’s protection capacity in Malaysia and Indonesia
- $1.06 million to IOM’s shelter and protection project for internally displaced Sri Lankans as part of a coordinated humanitarian action plan for Sri Lanka
- approximately $154 000 towards a UNHCR project providing education and health assistance to the most vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia
- $767 000 to IOM for the provision of shelter and emergency non-food relief items for Lebanese returnees and IDPs.
Performance
Through its contributions, the government continues to promote durable solutions for displaced persons, enhance protection for displaced persons throughout the world and provide a rapid response to needs arising from international emergencies, such as the outbreak of war or renewed conflict.
Since December 2006, Australia’s support to IOM in Sri Lanka has resulted in the provision of emergency shelter for more than 4400 IDPs, the distribution of non-food relief items throughout the eastern districts of Trincomalee and Batticaloa and the delivery of an education campaign outlining the risks of people smuggling and human trafficking.
Australia continues to alleviate the suffering of IDPs in southern and central Iraq by building on its 2005-06 contribution to IOM in Iraq. Funding provided in 2006-07 will extend the provision of emergency humanitarian assistance to those in most need while a longer term solution can be developed by the Iraqi Ministry of Displacement and Migration.
Through its first contribution to Austcare, Australia will see the issue of sexual gender-based violence addressed within Thai-Burma border camps – putting into practice its commitment to the protection of women and children at risk.
In Malaysia and Indonesia, asylum seekers will receive better protection as funding provided to the UNHCR enables faster processing of refugee status determinations and the provision of basic services, such as health and education, to the most vulnerable.
International Organization for Migration – contribution
Objective
- Support the achievement of Australian policy objectives in the area of promoting well managed migration, including managed humanitarian settlement and the reduction of irregular migration.
Description
In 2006-07, Australia contributed $705 398 towards the administrative costs of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The IOM is an international organisation headquartered in Geneva which 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, advancing understanding of migration issues, encouraging social and economic development through migration, and upholding the human dignity and well-being of migrants.
Performance
Australia’s contribution to the administrative costs of the IOM enables us to participate in the governance of the IOM and ensure that 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. In 2006-07, discussions on IOM strategic objectives were finalised. These objectives will allow the IOM to continue to provide secure, reliable, flexible and cost-effective services. Topics discussed as part of the IOM’s policy dialogue included ‘engaging business and civil society’ and ‘migrants and the host society’. Policy analysis and engagement on migration policy issues by the international community leads to greater international cooperation and better implementation of managed migration approaches by governments.
Joint Commonwealth/state research programme for payment to the Australian Population, Immigration, and Multicultural Research Programme
Objective
- Provide information to assist with the formulation and assessment of policies by Australian Government, state and territory ministers, and departments.
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 2006-07 the Australian Government contributed $50 000 to this programme.
Performance
In 2006-07 the University of New England produced a seminal report into the Social Costs and Benefits of Migration, which was commissioned by the APIMRP. This report complements existing work on the economic impacts of immigration.
The APIMRP continued its work to better inform policy makers and service providers in 2006-07 by commissioning a series of census-based analyses which will give a comprehensive picture of Australia’s diverse population down to the local government area level.
Offshore management of asylum seekers
Objective
Facilitate the effective operation and management of offshore processing centres for asylum seekers in third countries.
Description
The department provided support through the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and appropriate community facilities in Nauru to allow people in offshore processing centres to be appropriately accommodated and cared for.
Performance
Offshore Processing Centres (OPCs) in Nauru and Papua New Guinea (PNG) have been effective in delivering offshore asylum seeker accommodation. Asylum seekers are in Nauru on special purpose visas issued by the Nauru Government and are subject to the laws of Nauru. The centres are managed by the IOM at the invitation of the governments of Nauru and PNG.
MOUs with Nauru and PNG provide for the accommodation of up to 1500 people – 500 in Nauru and 1000 in PNG. Initial agreements between Australia and the governments of Nauru and PNG signed in 2001 have been extended on a number of occasions. The arrangement with Nauru was extended to 30 June 2009. The arrangement with PNG expired on 30 June 2007 and discussions on renewal were postponed due to the general election in PNG.
The department 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 the department hosted, resulted in a high level of cooperation among the many stakeholders involved in the various aspects of OPC management.
The department maintained and improved access to health facilities by asylum seekers through its assistance to the Government of Nauru. This included a major flood mitigation project and facilities upgrade at the Republic of Nauru Hospital and agreement to part-fund the salaries of medical staff at the hospital. These projects ensure that the facilities in Nauru for the provision of secondary medical care to asylum seekers are of an appropriate standard.
During 2006-07, the department transferred 90 asylum seekers to the State House OPC in Nauru and provided them with a high level of care. One asylum seeker returned voluntarily to his previous country of residence and at 30 June 2007 there were 89 asylum seekers in the State House centre. Two former OPC residents in Nauru, in the department’s direct care, were resettled to Australia and a Scandinavian country.
Work to refurbish the State House centre was close to completion. Australia handed back the Topside site in Nauru to the Nauru Government on 30 June 2007 when the lease expired. The Manus OPC is managed by IOM, as a contingency against future arrivals.
Payments to the Australian Red Cross Society for Asylum Seeker Assistance Scheme
Objective
- Provide financial assistance to eligible asylum seekers awaiting decisions on their Protection visa application.
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 and other assistance to asylum seekers1, determined by the Australian Red Cross to be without means of support and disposable assets. 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.
Eligibility for ASA includes both primary and review applicants in financial hardship who cannot meet their basic needs and who have no continuing and adequate support. Eligibility for ASA occurs where a decision is not made on a Protection visa application within six months or where the client meets exemption criteria which allow immediate access to ASA. The criteria ensure that the elderly, minors, young families, the ill (including those suffering after torture or trauma) and those who care for these groups can be assisted without delay.
Assistance at the review stage is also available where these clients meet these criteria.
The ASA scheme also provides assistance to asylum seekers who are ineligible for ongoing income support but who cannot afford to pay for their health examination.
This ensures that there is no financial impediment to obtaining protection under the Refugees Convention.
Performance
In 2006-07, there were 1780 people assisted under the ASA scheme at a cost of $4.64 million compared to1507 people assisted at a cost of $3.6 million in 2005-06.
This equates to an 18 per cent increase in client numbers and a 28 per cent increase in costs compared to 2005-06. These are higher rates of increase than the 13.4 per cent increase in overall Protection visa application lodgements over the same period, illustrating a higher take up rate of the ASA scheme by applicants for Protection visas and a higher average cost per client. These increases are attributable largely to a growing awareness of the scheme by Protection visa applicants, leading to more needy cases coming to attention, and coming to attention earlier in the Protection visa process – together with increasing general costs of providing medical and pharmaceutical support to individuals in need.
Payments under s.33 of the Financial Management and Accountability Act
Description
Payments made under section 33 of the Financial 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’.
Performance
During the 2006-07 financial year, the department received one request for an act of grace payment. This request was not forwarded to the delegate for consideration during this financial year.
During the 2005-06 financial year, the department sought additional act of grace payments for students affected by the decision of the Federal Magistrates Court in Uddin vs MIMIA [FMCA 841 07 June 2005]. Sixty-three act of grace payments were approved. Eight payments had been processed at 30 June 2007. The remainder of the act of grace payments yet to be made in the Uddin vs MIMIA matter are due to a number of unsuccessful attempts by the department to contact the students at their last known address. This has been further exacerbated due to the majority of the students now residing offshore. A register of those affected is being kept and we will ensure a prompt payment can be made once the client is located.
Refugee, humanitarian and assisted movements – passage and associated costs
Objective
- 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 movement provisions.
Description
In December 2004 the department entered into a contract with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for the assisted passage of applicants approved for entry to Australia under the refugee component of the offshore Humanitarian Programme. The assistance provided under this contract covers the full cost of medical examination and airfares for eligible entrants. These included the following visa subclasses:
- Refugee (subclass 200)
- In-country Special Humanitarian (subclass 201)
- Emergency Rescue (subclass 203)
- Woman at Risk (subclass 204)
- a proportion of Secondary Movement Offshore Entry (Temporary) (subclass visa 447) and Secondary Movement Relocation (Temporary) (subclass 451).
IOM arranges medical screening services for applicants when requested by the department’s overseas posts. The IOM is responsible for ticketing, pre-embarkation, and coordination arrangements associated with the movement of assisted refugees. IOM is reimbursed for all transportation and service costs incurred in the movement of these funded refugees to Australia.
Performance
In 2006-07 $10.396 million was allocated under this programme. There were 6232 refugee and humanitarian entrants assisted with travel and the overall expenditure on travel and associated services was $8.882 million.
There were 11 424 medical examinations performed in 2006-07 as well as an additional 1265 pre-departure medical checks for a combined cost of $2.028 million.The current contract with IOM expires in December 2007. The department entered into a procurement process for a new contract in March 2007.
Reintegration Allowance
Objective
- Facilitate the reintegration of those persons who wish to return to their country of origin.
Description
Those eligible to receive the allowance are:
- Afghan nationals in detention
- Afghan Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) holders
- Iranian nationals in detention
- TPV, Temporary Humanitarian Visa (THV) and Return Pending Visa (RPV) holders
- Iraqi nationals in detention or TPV holders.
Performance
In 2006-07, no people accepted reintegration assistance, compared to three Iraqi nationals in 2005-06.
Since the implementation in 2002 of the reintegration package for Afghan nationals in detention, 152 Afghans have formally been offered the reintegration package and 68 accepted; and 2952 Afghan TPV holders have been formally offered the reintegration package and 34 Afghans accepted.
Since the implementation in 2003 of the reintegration package for Iranian nationals in detention, 158 have been offered the reintegration package and 28 accepted.
Fifty-six Iraqi nationals have requested the reintegration package and returned to Iraq since implementation of the reintegration package in 2003.
Since the implementation in 2004 of the reintegration package for TPV and THV holders (issued prior to 24 August 2004) and those issued RPVs, six people have requested the reintegration package and returned to their country of origin.
All payments were made in accordance with eligibility criteria.
Safe haven allowance
Objective
- Provide financial support to people displaced by upheaval in their country and for whom the Australian Government has provided temporary safe haven in Australia.
Description
Safe haven allowances are provided to those people on temporary safe haven visas who are not eligible for other income support benefits but are in need of some financial support.
Performance
In 2006-07, $111 281 was used to help people who held temporary safe haven visas compared to $11 802 in 2005-06.
Special appropriation – statutory self-regulation of migration agents
Objective
- Ensure the satisfactory statutory self-regulation of the migration advice profession.
Description
The migration advice profession in Australia operates under statutory self-regulatory arrangements set out in Part 3 of the Migration Act 1958. Under these provisions, the Migration Institute of Australia Limited (MIA) was appointed as the industry regulator, known as the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA).
The core functions of the authority are contained in Schedule 2 to the Migration Agents Regulations 1998 and include the registration of migration agents, handling complaints and applying sanctions against registered migration agents who have breached the migration agents code of conduct.
The number of registered migration agents increased by 336 agents from 3159 at 30 June 2006 to 3495 at 30 June 2007.
The amount of the special appropriation for this item is calculated according to the value of registration fees collected by the authority. In 2006-07, it was estimated that the special appropriation would be $4.75 million. The final appropriation was $4.84 million.
Performance
The department worked closely with the MARA to support statutory self-regulation of the migration advice profession.
New entry requirements for the profession started on 1 July 2006. Prospective agents, unless they hold a current practising certificate in law in an Australian state or territory, must successfully complete the Graduate Certificate of Australian Migration Law and Practice in order to be considered for registration as migration agents. The graduate certificate is offered by four Australian universities in different delivery modes, including distance education.
Before these changes, prospective agents who did not hold a current practising certificate in law in an Australian state or territory were required to pass a prescribed examination, the Migration Advice Professional Knowledge Entrance Examination (MAPKEE). The last MAPKEE was held on 15 July 2006.
In May 2007, the department appointed an external reference group to undertake a review of statutory self-regulation of the migration advice profession in 2007-08.
The agents’ gateway on the department’s website continues to provide convenient access to information for agents on issues such as access to processing requirements and legislative change. It also provides quick and easy access to the department’s eVisa facilities www.immi.gov.au/gateways/agents.