The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has announced that they are committed to “strengthening (their) working relations with migration agents, with a view to improving visa processing times for clients.”

DIAC stated that they recognise the crucial role played by registered migration agents in delivering Australia’s many immigration programs and that by working together, Australia can be assured of the continued success and improved efficiency of the current immigration system.

DIAC has made it clear that the main way in which migration service providers can aid immigration processes is by ensuring that all Australian visa applications are complete and ‘decision-ready’ upon being lodged. This will significantly improve the speed and efficiency with which DIAC will be able to process a visa application, which in turn benefits the applicant.

‘Decision-Ready’ Australian Visa Applications:

Australian visa applications classified as ‘decision-ready’ are those visa applications submitted to DIAC together with all relevant information and supporting documentation required by the Migration Act and Regulations applicable to a particular visa application.

Following the Department of Immigration & Citizenship's visa preparation guidelines will go some way in ensuring that your Australian visa application is ‘decision-ready’ on lodgment.  The guidelines include:

• Ensure that all requirements for making a valid application are included.
• Use the appropriate checklists to so that all required information and documentation is included with the visa application.
• Lawyers/agents refer to resources such as the LEGENDcom database and DIAC website.
• Do not submit excessive or unnecessary information with a visa application.
• Discourage the lodging of visa applications which do not meet the specified requirements of the visa class applied for.

Applications Which Are Not ‘Decision-Ready’:

If an Australian visa application is submitted which is not decision ready, DIAC are still able to consider and make a decision on that application.

If you lodge a visa application which is not decision-ready, DIAC asks that you also provide a covering letter addressing the following:

• what documentation and/or information is outstanding;
• why this documentation and/or information is not included;
• when you expect this documentation and/or information to become available;

Advisable for Applicants To Use Migration Agent/Lawyer:

Given the enormous volume of visa processing undertaken by DIAC, it is beneficial for Australian visa applicants to engage the services of an migration lawyer/agent. DIAC’s recent announcement, makes it clear that they are able to process ‘decision ready’ visa applications more efficiently.

Retaining the services of an experienced migration lawyer/agent will help to ensure your visa application is complete and ‘decision ready’ on lodgment with the Department of Immigration & Citizenship.

In addition to the suggested guidelines, knowing what is required for a ‘decision-ready’ application requires an understanding of validity requirements and the particular legislative criteria for an Australian visa. It requires an understanding of DIAC’s policy guidelines regarding the application of the Australian visa criteria. Importantly, it also requires an understanding of all relevant case law where Australian Courts have determined the correct interpretation of law to be applied by DIAC in deciding whether or not to approve a particular visa application.

In Australia, DIAC also hold regular briefing sessions with immigration industry bodies such as the Law Council of Australia to ensure Australian immigration advisors are kept up to date on internal processing procedures and requirements for the lodgment of decision ready Australian visa applications.

Our experienced Australian immigration lawyers/agents are able to ensure that your Australian visa application is ‘decision-ready’ on lodgment with the Department of Immigration & Citizenship.