DIAC Feed http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au en admin@newsroom.immi.gov.au (Department of Immigration and Citizenship) Copyright 2009 40 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:11:35 +1100 The DIAC content feed. Indian Ocean survivors arrive on Christmas Island The 27 survivors rescued from a boat that capsized in the Indian Ocean this week arrived at Christmas Island today and will be placed in mandatory detention under the care of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). The LNG Pioneer, a Bahamas-flagged tanker that responded to the vessel in distress call and rescued the survivors about 640km north-west of Cocos... Detention Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:00:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/758 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/758 Indian Ocean survivors arrive on Christmas Island The 27 survivors rescued from a boat that capsized in the Indian Ocean this week arrived at Christmas Island today and will be placed in mandatory detention under the care of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). The LNG Pioneer, a Bahamas-flagged tanker that responded to the vessel in distress call and rescued the survivors about 640km north-west of Cocos... DIAC apologises to former detainee The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) today acknowledged the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) report regarding the detention of Ahmed El-Masri and has extended its unreserved apology for the breach of his human rights. “We take this matter very seriously,” a DIAC spokeswoman said. “In line with the AHRC’s recommendations, departmental pr... Detention Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:05:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/756 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/756 DIAC apologises to former detainee The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) today acknowledged the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) report regarding the detention of Ahmed El-Masri and has extended its unreserved apology for the breach of his human rights. “We take this matter very seriously,” a DIAC spokeswoman said. “In line with the AHRC’s recommendations, departmental pr... DIAC raises $4000 cooking for a cause Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) staff put their wallets and stomachs behind a good cause today, with the annual Pink Ribbon Breakfast for staff raising $4000 for the Cancer Council ACT. The breakfast, which has previously raised almost $10 000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), aims to increase awareness of the importance of research and it... Corporate Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:41:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/755 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/755 DIAC raises $4000 cooking for a cause Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) staff put their wallets and stomachs behind a good cause today, with the annual Pink Ribbon Breakfast for staff raising $4000 for the Cancer Council ACT. The breakfast, which has previously raised almost $10 000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), aims to increase awareness of the importance of research and it... New immigration residential housing and transit accommodation preferred tenderer announced The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) today announced that Serco Australia Pty Ltd is now the preferred tenderer for the new contract for the provision of a range of immigration detention services at immigration residential housing and immigration transit accommodation around Australia. G4S Australia Pty Ltd was initially selected on 1 May as the preferred ... Detention Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:12:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/754 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/754 New immigration residential housing and transit accommodation preferred tenderer announced The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) today announced that Serco Australia Pty Ltd is now the preferred tenderer for the new contract for the provision of a range of immigration detention services at immigration residential housing and immigration transit accommodation around Australia. G4S Australia Pty Ltd was initially selected on 1 May as the preferred ... Would you pass the new citizenship test? Prospective Australian citizens will start sitting the new citizenship test from today. To find out how well you or your listeners would go in the test, a sample of questions similar to those used in the test are included. The new 20 multiple-choice questions test is not easier than the old one but it is fairer; mandatory questions have been removed giving equal weight... Citizenship Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:01:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/752 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/752 Would you pass the new citizenship test? Prospective Australian citizens will start sitting the new citizenship test from today. To find out how well you or your listeners would go in the test, a sample of questions similar to those used in the test are included. The new 20 multiple-choice questions test is not easier than the old one but it is fairer; mandatory questions have been removed giving equal weight... Paul Watson visa application The Department of Immigration and Citizenship today rejected claims it was delaying processing of a visa application for Sea Shepherd captain Paul Watson. Mr Watson has applied for a visa to visit Australia to undertake a range of public speaking and media activities associated with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. “Our standard procedure is to follow-up certai... Visas Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:15:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/753 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/753 Paul Watson visa application The Department of Immigration and Citizenship today rejected claims it was delaying processing of a visa application for Sea Shepherd captain Paul Watson. Mr Watson has applied for a visa to visit Australia to undertake a range of public speaking and media activities associated with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. “Our standard procedure is to follow-up certai... Christmas Island housing not denying indigenous Australia The Department of Immigration and Citizenship said today demountable units surplus to the government’s requirements were being transported to Christmas Island as part of its contingency plans. The demountable units were returned to the department as they were declared excess to the needs of the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. ... Detention Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:39:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/751 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/751 Christmas Island housing not denying indigenous Australia The Department of Immigration and Citizenship said today demountable units surplus to the government’s requirements were being transported to Christmas Island as part of its contingency plans. The demountable units were returned to the department as they were declared excess to the needs of the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. ... DIAC refutes hoax email on asylum seeker policy The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) is urging the media and the public to ignore hoax emails circulating on the internet about government benefits provided to asylum seekers and refugees permanently settling in Australia. Some of the hoax emails also falsely claim Australia accepts terrorists and other criminals under its international obligations. ... Asylum seekers Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:39:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/750 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/750 DIAC refutes hoax email on asylum seeker policy The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) is urging the media and the public to ignore hoax emails circulating on the internet about government benefits provided to asylum seekers and refugees permanently settling in Australia. Some of the hoax emails also falsely claim Australia accepts terrorists and other criminals under its international obligations. ... Immigration wizardry wins international e-business award Australia’s IT “wizardry” supporting the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC) new online visa and citizenship sites has recorded its second award with a first prize in the business process category at the international FutureGov Government Technology Awards in Bali. The honour was presented to DIAC for the visa and citizenship wizards, the department... Corporate Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:23:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/749 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/749 Immigration wizardry wins international e-business award Australia’s IT “wizardry” supporting the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC) new online visa and citizenship sites has recorded its second award with a first prize in the business process category at the international FutureGov Government Technology Awards in Bali. The honour was presented to DIAC for the visa and citizenship wizards, the department... Newcastle compliance operation finds seven illegal workers Immigration compliance officers located seven illegal workers on two adjoining construction sites in Charlestown, Newcastle today. Compliance officers from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), assisted by NSW Police, located this group following an operation at a Hurstville construction site last week where 17 illegal workers were located. “A total o... Compliance Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:36:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/748 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/748 Newcastle compliance operation finds seven illegal workers Immigration compliance officers located seven illegal workers on two adjoining construction sites in Charlestown, Newcastle today. Compliance officers from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), assisted by NSW Police, located this group following an operation at a Hurstville construction site last week where 17 illegal workers were located. “A total o... Subclass 457 visa reforms explained in Cairns The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will run information sessions about recent reforms to the subclass 457 visa on October 7 and 8 in Cairns. “We encourage employers, visa holders and other stakeholders in the Cairns area to attend a seminar to gain an understanding of the changes, as well as ask questions about the reforms,” a DIAC spokesman said. ... Corporate Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:03:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/746 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/746 Subclass 457 visa reforms explained in Cairns The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will run information sessions about recent reforms to the subclass 457 visa on October 7 and 8 in Cairns. “We encourage employers, visa holders and other stakeholders in the Cairns area to attend a seminar to gain an understanding of the changes, as well as ask questions about the reforms,” a DIAC spokesman said. ... Sydney compliance operation finds 15 illegal workers Immigration compliance officers located 15 illegal workers on a construction site in the Sydney suburb of Hurstville today. Compliance officers from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), assisted by NSW Police, located the group following community information that people were working at a large apartment complex under construction. “A total of 11 unl... Compliance Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:27:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/745 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/745 Sydney compliance operation finds 15 illegal workers Immigration compliance officers located 15 illegal workers on a construction site in the Sydney suburb of Hurstville today. Compliance officers from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), assisted by NSW Police, located the group following community information that people were working at a large apartment complex under construction. “A total of 11 unl... National meatworkers operation in Wagga Wagga <img src='http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/videos/86-275x270-116_2.jpg' /><br>As part of a multi-state compliance operation on March 11, immigration officers visit a residence in Wagga Wagga, NSW. The operation cracked an alleged labour hire and identity fraud racket targeting the meat industry. Border security Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:14:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/videos/86 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/videos/86 National meatworkers operation in Wagga Wagga As part of a multi-state compliance operation on March 11, immigration officers visit a residence in Wagga Wagga, NSW. The operation cracked an alleged labour hire and identity fraud racket targeting the meat industry. Victorian compliance sweeps net 51 in three weeks A series of compliance operations in regional Victoria – the latest last night – has seen Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) officers locate 51 people who were either in Australia unlawfully or working in breach of visa conditions. And early today an operation by officers from Adelaide located a further six people, also in Australia unlawfully. Most o... Compliance Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:43:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/744 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/744 Victorian compliance sweeps net 51 in three weeks A series of compliance operations in regional Victoria – the latest last night – has seen Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) officers locate 51 people who were either in Australia unlawfully or working in breach of visa conditions. And early today an operation by officers from Adelaide located a further six people, also in Australia unlawfully. Most o... Shepparton operation takes illegal worker tally to 41 in week The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has now caught 41 people working illegally in regional Victorian towns over the past week after 18 more workers were discovered near Shepparton overnight. The 18 Malaysian nationals located in the field operation that concluded today had either been working unlawfully in Australia or had overstayed their visas. They ... Compliance Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:37:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/743 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/743 Shepparton operation takes illegal worker tally to 41 in week The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has now caught 41 people working illegally in regional Victorian towns over the past week after 18 more workers were discovered near Shepparton overnight. The 18 Malaysian nationals located in the field operation that concluded today had either been working unlawfully in Australia or had overstayed their visas. They ... Sale illegal worker operation nets 23 A compliance operation by Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) officers will result in 22 foreign workers being sent home after they were detained, suspected of working illegally on local farms near Sale in Victoria. The overnight operation concluded yesterday when 22 of the total group of 23 workers were transferred to the Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Ce... Compliance Thu, 13 Aug 2009 08:47:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/742 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/742 Sale illegal worker operation nets 23 A compliance operation by Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) officers will result in 22 foreign workers being sent home after they were detained, suspected of working illegally on local farms near Sale in Victoria. The overnight operation concluded yesterday when 22 of the total group of 23 workers were transferred to the Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Ce... Scam migration agent sentenced The sentencing of an unregistered migration agent in Adelaide serves as a warning to illegal operators that the risks are high and they would be caught, a Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) spokesman said today. Harry Alevizos of Clearview pleaded guilty in the Adelaide Magistrates Court to a large number of offences under state and federal legislation which... Compliance Fri, 07 Aug 2009 18:46:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/741 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/741 Scam migration agent sentenced The sentencing of an unregistered migration agent in Adelaide serves as a warning to illegal operators that the risks are high and they would be caught, a Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) spokesman said today. Harry Alevizos of Clearview pleaded guilty in the Adelaide Magistrates Court to a large number of offences under state and federal legislation which... Immigration visits Gladstone and Rockhampton The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will be running information sessions about recent changes to employer-sponsored visa programs in Gladstone and Rockhampton on July 28 and 29. A DIAC outreach officer will run the information seminars for employers and temporary business entry (subclass 457) visa holders. The Gladstone information session will run fro... Corporate Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:24:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/738 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/738 Immigration visits Gladstone and Rockhampton The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will be running information sessions about recent changes to employer-sponsored visa programs in Gladstone and Rockhampton on July 28 and 29. A DIAC outreach officer will run the information seminars for employers and temporary business entry (subclass 457) visa holders. The Gladstone information session will run fro... Immigration and ABS ensure migrant statistics keep coming The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today announced the National Migrant Statistics Unit (NMSU) would continue for a further three years. The two Commonwealth agencies will each contribute $1.3 million after signing a memorandum of understanding to continue funding the unit, which was established in July 2006... Corporate Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:57:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/737 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/737 Immigration and ABS ensure migrant statistics keep coming The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today announced the National Migrant Statistics Unit (NMSU) would continue for a further three years. The two Commonwealth agencies will each contribute $1.3 million after signing a memorandum of understanding to continue funding the unit, which was established in July 2006... Unlawfuls located at Menindee Immigration officers today located 12 people working unlawfully on an orchard near Menindee south of Broken Hill. In an operation launched early today, Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) officers, accompanied by NSW police, found nine of the 12 were unlawfully in Australia and the remaining three were working in breach of their visa conditions. The 12 Ma... Compliance Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:12:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/736 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/736 Unlawfuls located at Menindee Immigration officers today located 12 people working unlawfully on an orchard near Menindee south of Broken Hill. In an operation launched early today, Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) officers, accompanied by NSW police, found nine of the 12 were unlawfully in Australia and the remaining three were working in breach of their visa conditions. The 12 Ma...