Award-winning online visa services along with continuing counter service in Brisbane will address any concerns clients may have over plans to close the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC) Gold Coast office.

The satellite facility, which is currently staffed with 19 DIAC employees, is scheduled for closure in mid-2011 when the current lease expires.

The decision to close the office, which was announced in March with minimal feedback, was taken after careful examination of the range and level of services currently provided on the Gold Coast, the demographics of the client base and the reduced need for over-the-counter service.

“Claims that closure of the office will adversely affect the international student market on the Gold Coast are unfounded,” a DIAC spokesman said. “As long as international students abide by their visa conditions, they can apply online for visa extensions or notify us of any changes in their circumstances without visiting a DIAC office in person.”

The need for over-the-counter services continues to decrease due to initiatives such as the label-free strategy to reduce the need to issue visa labels, oral lodgement of certain low-risk applications, expanding sites for citizenship testing through future service delivery partner arrangements and extending and enhancing our online service.

“The majority of people currently visiting our Gold Coast office are international students, backpackers and tourists. The overall numbers are very low when compared to other counter offices and the services they receive are largely available without having to make a physical visit, either over the phone or via our website,” the spokesman said.

It is important to note, contrary to some claims, that no staff in the Gold Coast office will lose their job. A number of staff have already secured alternate positions within DIAC, including remaining on the Gold Coast to service international flights to the Gold Coast airport at Coolangatta.

“The department has met and written to key stakeholders including community groups, industry associations and local members to inform them of the decision and to discuss and provide assurance on how we will meet client needs into the future,” the spokesman said. “Announcement of the decision to close our Gold Coast office was made well ahead of time to ensure we carefully managed client and staff issues through this transition.”

Media Enquiries: National Communications Branch (02) 6264 2244