More than 26 million passengers and crew were processed at the Australian border in 2008-09

Overview

This group has two outputs:

1.3.1 Borders

1.3.2 Identity

Highlights

Arrivals and clearances

In 2008–09, there were 26.1 million passenger and crew arrivals and departures compared to 25.7 million in 2007–08. This represents an increase of 1.6 per cent.

During the year, 1513 people were refused immigration clearance at Australia's airports and seaports, compared to 1613 in 2007–08, a decrease of 6.2 per cent.

Maritime crew visas

The Maritime Crew (subclass 998) visa (MCV) became mandatory for ships' crews on 1 January 2008, following a six month transitional period. The visa was implemented to ensure that application and security checking requirements for foreign sea crew is aligned with the requirements for other temporary visitors to Australia.

The MCV is regarded as a highly successful border security initiative with a 99.8 per cent compliance rate. In 2008, the MCV project received a special award and commendation in the Prime Minister's awards for excellence in public sector management.

National security and counter-terrorism

The department works closely with Australian security and law enforcement agencies to strengthen border security and to prevent the entry of non-citizens who may pose a threat to Australia's national security.

All non-citizens applying to enter or remain in Australia are assessed against the requirements of the Migration Act 1958 and migration regulations.

As Australia's border management system is multilayered, checking occurs not only during visa processing, but also at pre-boarding under Advance Passenger Processing and on entry at the Australian border.

Security Referral Service

In September 2007, the Australian Government established the Security Referral Service (SRS), a unique system that links the department's onshore and offshore visa processing systems to the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO). SRS electronically transfers details of visa applicants seeking entry into Australia who may present a security risk to Australia and its interests to ASIO for comprehensive examination and advanced analysis. This forms an important component of Australia's strengthened national security arrangements.

The department is actively involved in whole-of-government counter-terrorism efforts, working with other departments to exchange information on Australia's domestic and international counter-terrorism efforts. The department also exchanges information with other countries on programs and policies to promote social harmony and prevent radicalisation and extremism.

Counter-terrorism preparedness and response

The department participates in a number of inter-agency fora, including the Australian Government Counter-Terrorism Policy Committee and the Australian Government Counter-Terrorism Committee.

It is also involved in the planning and conduct of multi-jurisdictional counter-terrorism exercises. In 2008–09, one of these exercises was Mercury 08 which was designed to test the capacity of state and Commonwealth agencies to manage a simulated terrorist activity within Australia. In Mercury 08, Queensland and Western Australia were the primary jurisdictions for the conduct of large scale deployment activities, while the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania were the supporting jurisdictions.

Mercury 08 tested national counter-terrorism arrangements, with a focus on consequence management.

Preventing people smuggling

On 4 December 2008, the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service was given responsibility for maritime people smuggling. It is responsible for driving strategic policy, international engagement, analysis and production of intelligence and coordinating surveillance and on-water responses.

However, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship remains responsible for non-maritime people smuggling. The department works actively with other agencies to combat this activity, and provides advice to government on the activities of people smugglers planning, or attempting, to smuggle people to Australia.

A dedicated unit assesses intelligence from all sources on people smuggling, and distributes reports within the department and to other government agencies in a position to respond to the irregular movement of people to Australia. Recipients of the reports include the department's overseas networks, Australia's overseas missions and law enforcement agencies.

Central Movement Alert List

In March 2009 as part of the Systems for People program, the Central Movement Alert List (CMAL) became fully integrated with all departmental visa and citizenship processing systems. As a result, the department now processes all visa applications through the CMAL at the application stage, applying rigorous checks before visas are granted.

In 2008–09 the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) undertook a performance audit of the management of the Movement Alert List (MAL). The ANAO report made five recommendations outlining the need for improvements in MAL data quality, clarification on policy issues, systems monitoring and better performance reporting. The department has agreed with these recommendations and is working to implement the necessary improvements in data quality and practices.

Identity management

In 2008–09, several key projects were delivered as part of the department's ongoing identity management program, including:

• deployment of the Identity Resolution Centre as the primary point of contact for staff seeking to resolve complex identity issues in their caseloads
• expansion of biometric collection processes for persons in immigration detention
• release of a suite of new identity-related training products including an e-learning facial image comparison techniques package.

In addition, the number of facial images and proof of identity documents stored in the Identity Services Repository (the department's database for the management and storage of biometric information) has continued to grow, with a significant number of new users granted access.