Portfolio and departmental overview

The Immigration and Citizenship portfolio comprises the department, the Migration Review Tribunal and the Refugee Review Tribunal. The tribunals provide independent merits review of departmental decisions to refuse or cancel migration, temporary entry and protection visas. The tribunals report separately.

The department is tasked with managing the:

  • entry and stay of people through the migration, temporary entry and humanitarian programs
  • proper and timely resolution of the immigration status of people
  • security of Australia's borders
  • strengthening of integrity and effective compliance with our programs including the control of fraud
  • appropriate management and support of people in immigration detention
  • delivery of settlement services, including adult English language training, refugee settlement support, and translating and interpreting services
  • promotion of Australian citizenship to eligible non-citizens, focusing on its acquisition and value
  • promotion of the value of cultural diversity and increasing understanding of Australia's democratic values to ensure our progress as a united, prosperous and safe society.

Role and functions

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship is a policy, program and service delivery agency. Its services are delivered through offices in every state and territory and more than 60 countries.

The department's purpose is 'to enrich Australia through the well managed entry and settlement of people'.

The department is responsible for the following two outcomes to government and the Australian community.

  1. Contributing to Australia's society and its economic advancement through the lawful and orderly entry and stay of people.
  2. A society which values Australian citizenship and social cohesion, and enables migrants and refugees to participate equitably.

Strategic priorities

The DIAC Plan 2007–08 outlined the department's strategic priorities which included:

  • supporting the government in delivering its key policy initiatives
  • transforming its business through implemetation of:
  • Systems for People improvements
  • Client Services Improvement Program
  • Palmer Plus change and improvement program
  • strengthening and sustaining stakeholder and community engagement
  • strengthening leadership capability.

Over the next three years, the department's policies and practices will continue to reflect, and be responsive to, the government's requirements to positively influence living standards and quality of life in Australia.

The DIAC Strategic Plan 2008–11 is a blueprint of how the department intends to manage its policies, programs and service delivery over the next three years. It is a key document in outlining how the department will work with stakeholders and the community.

Major areas of focus over the next three years include:

  • positioning migration, both permanent and temporary, as one of the keys to Australia's prosperity and social cohesion
  • creating a simpler and more responsive client focused migration and humanitarian system
  • maintaining public confidence in border management
  • enhancing the delivery of humanitarian settlement, Australian citizenship and cultural diversity programs
  • continuing to develop a highly productive performance focused workforce
  • managing the department's resources strategically and with integrity.
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Change of government

On 3 December 2007, the Rudd Labor Government was sworn in. Senator Chris Evans was sworn in as Minister for Immigration and Citizenship.

Mr Laurie Ferguson MP was sworn in as Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services.

They replaced the Hon. Kevin Andrews MP, the former minister, and the Hon. Teresa Gambaro MP, the former assistant minister.

Advisory and consultative bodies

Several non-statutory bodies advised the portfolio during 2007–08, including the:

  • Refugee Resettlement Advisory Council
  • Immigration Detention Advisory Group
  • Detention Health Advisory Group.

Legislation

The department administers the following Acts, which provide a legislative framework for its functions and services:

  • Aliens Act Repeal Act 1984
  • Australian Citizenship Act 2007
  • Australian Citizenship (Transitionals and Consequentials) Act 2007
  • Immigration (Education) Act 1971
  • Immigration (Education) Charge Act 1992
  • Immigration (Guardianship of Children) Act 1946
  • Migration Act 1958
  • Migration Agents Registration Application Charge Act 1997
  • Migration (Health Services) Charge Act 1991
  • Migration (Sponsorship Fees) Act 2007
  • Migration (Visa Application) Charge Act 1997

As many of the government's policy settings need to be reflected in legislation, there is a relatively high rate of change and amendment. Two Bills went before Parliament before it was prorogued in October 2007. Two Bills were introduced and one was passed during 2007–08. In the same period, a total of 14 legislative instruments were made to amend regulations.

These Acts and associated regulations are available on the ComLaw website, administered by the Attorney-General's Department at www.comlaw.gov.au.