1.1.3 Special eligibility
Objectives
- Resolve the status of certain groups of people who, for humanitarian reasons, have been allowed to remain in Australia as long-term temporary residents.
- Facilitate the entry of former permanent residents who have spent nine out of their first 18 years in Australia as permanent residents and who have maintained close ties to Australia or served in Australia’s armed forces.
Description
Under this output component, the department develops and administers visa arrangements to facilitate the entry of people who meet certain special eligibility criteria or resolve the status of certain groups of people who have been allowed to remain in Australia as long-term temporary residents for humanitarian reasons.
Performance
In 2006-07, 199 visas were granted, as detailed in table 11.
During 2006-07, the department granted:
- seven ROS visas (leaving only one ROS case outstanding)
- 145 Former Resident visas (a total of 180 applications were received, with
14 refused) - 47 Close Ties visas granted from the residual caseload (nine refused).