http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au en admin@newsroom.immi.gov.au (Department of Immigration and Citizenship) Copyright 2012 40 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:29:24 +1100 The DIAC content feed. Immigration compliance teams have located 12 illegal workers/visa overstayers in a joint Queensland Police roadside operation near Gatton. The 12 men – of whom 11 were visa overstayers while one was suspected of working illegally – were detained on February 7/8, and are from a number of countries including India and Indonesia. “We have detained nine of the men i... Compliance Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:43:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/1006 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/1006 Joint operation in Gatton locates visa overstayers Immigration compliance teams have located 12 illegal workers/visa overstayers in a joint Queensland Police roadside operation near Gatton. The 12 men – of whom 11 were visa overstayers while one was suspected of working illegally – were detained on February 7/8, and are from a number of countries including India and Indonesia. “We have detained nine of the men i... Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) officers will visit Port Pirie on February 23 to provide businesses and overseas workers with information on employer-sponsored visa options. Two South Australian regional outreach officers will be available for individual appointments with regional employers and employees to answer a range of questions about skilled migrat... Visas Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:17:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/1005 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/1005 Immigration visits Port Pirie Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) officers will visit Port Pirie on February 23 to provide businesses and overseas workers with information on employer-sponsored visa options. Two South Australian regional outreach officers will be available for individual appointments with regional employers and employees to answer a range of questions about skilled migrat... Tourists from Brazil and Argentina will be able to apply online for a visa to visit Australia from February 15, with applications for the e676 electronic tourist visa now open to them. A spokesman for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) said the e676 allows people to apply for a tourist visa electronically using a fast, secure and convenient application ... Visas Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:01:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/1004 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/1004 Online tourist visas for Brazil and Argentina Tourists from Brazil and Argentina will be able to apply online for a visa to visit Australia from February 15, with applications for the e676 electronic tourist visa now open to them. A spokesman for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) said the e676 allows people to apply for a tourist visa electronically using a fast, secure and convenient application ... Thousands of Australians will celebrate their citizenship on Australia Day by taking part in an Australian citizenship affirmation ceremony. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) said affirmation ceremonies were growing in popularity, with more than 125 local councils across the nation including them as part of their Australia Day celebrations on January 26... Citizenship Sun, 22 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/1003 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/1003 Aussies celebrate their citizenship on Australia Day Thousands of Australians will celebrate their citizenship on Australia Day by taking part in an Australian citizenship affirmation ceremony. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) said affirmation ceremonies were growing in popularity, with more than 125 local councils across the nation including them as part of their Australia Day celebrations on January 26... Arrangements are today being made for the removal of a large group of illegal workers caught at a construction site at Homebush Bay in Sydney’s west. Compliance officers from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, with the assistance of NSW Police, located the men working at the site, most of whom had expired visas, or who held visas with no work rights. The... Compliance Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:01:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/1002 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/1002 Immigration operation at Sydney work site finds 23 illegal workers Arrangements are today being made for the removal of a large group of illegal workers caught at a construction site at Homebush Bay in Sydney’s west. Compliance officers from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, with the assistance of NSW Police, located the men working at the site, most of whom had expired visas, or who held visas with no work rights. The... Santa Claus’s increased global Christmas workload has resulted in the establishment of an Australian operation and signing a labour agreement with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). The labour agreement will allow his workforce of highly skilled elves to enter the country, establish operations and train Australian elves. “Santa approached the dep... Corporate Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:26:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/1001 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/1001 Santa Claus signs up to labour agreement for elves Santa Claus’s increased global Christmas workload has resulted in the establishment of an Australian operation and signing a labour agreement with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). The labour agreement will allow his workforce of highly skilled elves to enter the country, establish operations and train Australian elves. “Santa approached the dep... Immigration officials are considering recommending the revocation of the Australian citizenship of a New Zealand man who failed to declare his extensive list of criminal convictions a decade ago. A spokesman for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship said the Australian citizen from New Zealand was sentenced today to a five-month jail term at the Mount Druitt Local... Citizenship Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:43:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/1000 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/1000 Citizenship of NZ man with criminal history may be revoked Immigration officials are considering recommending the revocation of the Australian citizenship of a New Zealand man who failed to declare his extensive list of criminal convictions a decade ago. A spokesman for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship said the Australian citizen from New Zealand was sentenced today to a five-month jail term at the Mount Druitt Local... Three-month-old baby girl, Santa Rebelo from Timor Leste, has been given the ultimate Christmas present – the gift of life from Canberra Hospital and a flight back home with her mum to join her big brother and father in time for Christmas. Santa is one of a special group of 27 young people from the Oceanic region who face a brighter year ahead thanks to a multi-organis... Visas Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:22:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/999 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/999 Santa home in time for Christmas Three-month-old baby girl, Santa Rebelo from Timor Leste, has been given the ultimate Christmas present – the gift of life from Canberra Hospital and a flight back home with her mum to join her big brother and father in time for Christmas. Santa is one of a special group of 27 young people from the Oceanic region who face a brighter year ahead thanks to a multi-organis... The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) today activated a dedicated hotline – *1300 724 010* – to receive details from members of the Australian community who believe they may know someone who was a passenger on a vessel which has reported to have sunk in Indonesian waters early yesterday. The hotline will initially be staffed 24 hours a day and has the a... Asylum seekers Sun, 18 Dec 2011 14:20:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/998 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/998 Immigration hotline for relatives of Indonesian boat sinking The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) today activated a dedicated hotline – *1300 724 010* – to receive details from members of the Australian community who believe they may know someone who was a passenger on a vessel which has reported to have sunk in Indonesian waters early yesterday. The hotline will initially be staffed 24 hours a day and has the a... Compliance officers from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) located seven illegal workers in the Perth central business district today. Officers detained the six men and one woman – all Chinese nationals – at a residential property. The group, who all arrived on temporary visas and failed to depart before they expired, has been working illegally i... Compliance Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:21:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/997 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/997 Perth compliance operation nabs construction illegals Compliance officers from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) located seven illegal workers in the Perth central business district today. Officers detained the six men and one woman – all Chinese nationals – at a residential property. The group, who all arrived on temporary visas and failed to depart before they expired, has been working illegally i... The first group of detainees at the new Wickham Point Immigration Detention Centre (IDC) near Darwin arrived tonight. A spokesman for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) said the 102 single adult men were transferred to Darwin by charter aircraft from Christmas Island. “The men are now being accommodated in the first 500-bed compound that the departm... Detention Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:57:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/996 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/996 First arrivals at Wickham Point IDC The first group of detainees at the new Wickham Point Immigration Detention Centre (IDC) near Darwin arrived tonight. A spokesman for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) said the 102 single adult men were transferred to Darwin by charter aircraft from Christmas Island. “The men are now being accommodated in the first 500-bed compound that the departm... Arrangements are being made today for the removal of 14 illegal workers, visa overstayers and an alleged fraudster, after immigration compliance officers detained them this week in Victoria. It brings to 50 the number of people located (44 of whom have been detained) in just one week during operations in Victoria, New South Wales and the Northern Territory. A departmen... Compliance Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:40:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/995 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/995 Week of compliance operations nets 50 people in VIC, NSW and NT Arrangements are being made today for the removal of 14 illegal workers, visa overstayers and an alleged fraudster, after immigration compliance officers detained them this week in Victoria. It brings to 50 the number of people located (44 of whom have been detained) in just one week during operations in Victoria, New South Wales and the Northern Territory. A departmen... <img src='http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/videos/102-275x270-7_2.jpg' /><br>Facilities and services at the Wickham Point Immigration Detention Centre in Darwin. Detention Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:59:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/videos/102 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/videos/102 Wickham Point Immigration Detention Centre Facilities and services at the Wickham Point Immigration Detention Centre in Darwin. <img src='http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/photos/9432/00e1/943200e1-52b6-4712-8fd0-fe7978a089d3-275x270.jpg' /><br>The department provides recreational facilities and a program of activities to encourage detainees to keep active and healthy. Asylum seekers Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:16:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/images/943200e1-52b6-4712-8fd0-fe7978a089d3.html http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/images/943200e1-52b6-4712-8fd0-fe7978a089d3.html Wickham Point IDC NT The department provides recreational facilities and a program of activities to encourage detainees to keep active and healthy. <img src='http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/photos/fbd7/7a12/fbd77a12-ada3-40ad-b9de-e8705888d3e0-275x270.jpg' /><br>Aerial view of the Wickham Point IDC. Once greenfields, all facilities have been built on site. There are currently 27 buildings and structures, and when fully operational this will increase to 40. Asylum seekers Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:16:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/images/fbd77a12-ada3-40ad-b9de-e8705888d3e0.html http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/images/fbd77a12-ada3-40ad-b9de-e8705888d3e0.html Wickham Point IDC NT Aerial view of the Wickham Point IDC. Once greenfields, all facilities have been built on site. There are currently 27 buildings and structures, and when fully operational this will increase to 40. Arrangements are being made today for the removal of 14 illegal workers from Australia, after they were detained by immigration officers during an operation in the NSW mid-north coast and Hunter regions. Officers from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) conducted the operation in Port Macquarie, Woolgoolga, Taree and Forster on the mid-north coast, as w... Compliance Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:15:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/994 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/994 NSW regional compliance operation locates 19 unlawful non-citizens Arrangements are being made today for the removal of 14 illegal workers from Australia, after they were detained by immigration officers during an operation in the NSW mid-north coast and Hunter regions. Officers from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) conducted the operation in Port Macquarie, Woolgoolga, Taree and Forster on the mid-north coast, as w... <img src='http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/photos/18bb/0b6c/18bb0b6c-f14b-428f-a757-050ef5af313a-275x270.jpg' /><br>Meals will be cooked on site and served to clients in dining rooms. Asylum seekers Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:14:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/images/18bb0b6c-f14b-428f-a757-050ef5af313a.html http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/images/18bb0b6c-f14b-428f-a757-050ef5af313a.html Wickham Point IDC NT Meals will be cooked on site and served to clients in dining rooms. <img src='http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/photos/d864/76f5/d86476f5-5761-4283-b12a-d5176c8feeed-275x270.jpg' /><br>When completed, the Wickham Point facility will have capacity to accommodate up to 1500 clients across three compounds. Asylum seekers Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:14:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/images/d86476f5-5761-4283-b12a-d5176c8feeed.html http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/images/d86476f5-5761-4283-b12a-d5176c8feeed.html Wickham Point IDC NT When completed, the Wickham Point facility will have capacity to accommodate up to 1500 clients across three compounds. <img src='http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/photos/371d/3ceb/371d3ceb-a479-4837-8bd5-46b10994b515-275x270.jpg' /><br>The accommodation complies with detention standard guidelines which is 10 square metres per person. Each compound will have its own support amenities. Asylum seekers Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:13:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/images/371d3ceb-a479-4837-8bd5-46b10994b515.html http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/images/371d3ceb-a479-4837-8bd5-46b10994b515.html Wickham Point IDC NT The accommodation complies with detention standard guidelines which is 10 square metres per person. Each compound will have its own support amenities. <img src='http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/photos/9a2b/b4ee/9a2bb4ee-4fd6-411c-af0b-4e7e5bac6d69-275x270.jpg' /><br>All detainees have restricted access to the internet. There are filters in place to block inappropriate content. Asylum seekers Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:13:00 +1100 http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/images/9a2bb4ee-4fd6-411c-af0b-4e7e5bac6d69.html http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/images/9a2bb4ee-4fd6-411c-af0b-4e7e5bac6d69.html Wickham Point IDC NT All detainees have restricted access to the internet. There are filters in place to block inappropriate content.