Print1.1.3 Special eligibility
Objective
This component aims to develop and administer visa arrangements to facilitate entry of former Australian permanent residents who spent nine out of their first 18 years in Australia and who have maintained close ties with Australia; and those who served in Australia’s armed forces.
Description
Under this output component, the department administers visa arrangements to facilitate the entry of people who meet special eligibility criteria. The department also seeks to 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 2007–08, 220 visas were granted, as detailed in Table 11.
During 2007–08, the department granted:
- 3 Resolution of Status (subclass 851) visas leaving only one case outstanding
- 208 Former Resident (subclass 151) visas (a total of 186 applications were received, with 22 refused)
- 9 Close Ties (subclass 832) visas from the residual caseload (3 refused).
The total number of visa applications finalised decreased from 297 in 2006–07 to 262 in 2007–08. The total includes those withdrawn, cancelled or otherwise finalised.
Table 11: Numbers admitted through the Special Eligibility Stream by category| Category | 2006–07 | 2007–08 | Percentage change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution of Status | 7 | 3 | –57.14% |
| Close Ties and Former Resident | 192 | 217 | 13.02% |
| Total | 199 | 220 | 10.55% |
Table 12: Special eligibility—performance information
| Measures | Results | |
|---|---|---|
| 2006–07 | 2007–08 | |
| Quality | ||
| Percentage of applications finalised within service standards | 75% | 96% |
Table 13: Special eligibility—performance against service standards
| Category | Onshore clients | Offshore clients | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low risk | High risk | Low risk | High risk | |
| Other special eligibility | ||||
| Target | 75 per cent finalised in 6 months | 75 per cent finalised in 9 months | 75 per cent finalised in 9 months | 75 per cent finalised in 12 months |
| Result | 90% | 100% | 83% | 100% |
