Summary heading

CA 9152 – agency descriptive note

Abolition

The department was abolished under the Administrative Arrangment Orders of 18 September 2013 signed by the Governor General, Quentin Bryce. Most functions of the department were moved to the new Department of Immigration and Border Protection (CA 9431).

Creation

The Administrative Arrangement Orders of 30 January 2007 (Special Gazette no. S 17, 30 January 2007) omitted Multicultural Affairs from The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs title (CA 9034) to be now known as The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (CA 9152).

Functions and activities

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) is portfolio agency with responsibilities that contribute to Australia's society and its economic advancement through the lawful and orderly entry and stay of people through:

• Migration and temporary entry
• Refuges and humanitarian entry and stay
• Enforcement of immigration law including through effective border security
• Safe haven
• Off shore asylum seeker management.

Promotes a society which values Australian citizenship, appreciates cultural diversity and enable migrant to participate equitably through:

• Settlement service
• Translating and interpreting services
• Australian citizenship
• Promoting the benefits of cultural diversity.

Legislation administered

This Department was responsible for the following acts under the Administrative Arrangement Order of 16 December 2004 (omitting those relating to the Indigenous Affairs function which passed to The Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs under the Administrative Arrangement Order of 27 January 2006 when the Indigenous affairs and reconciliation function was added to that Department).

Aliens Act Repeal Act 1984
Australian Citizenship Act 1948
Immigration (Education) Act 1971
Immigration (Education) Charge Act 1992
Immigration (Guardianship of Children) Act 1946
Migration Act 1958
Migration Agents Registration Application Charge Act 1997
Migration (Health Services) Charge Act 1991
Migration (Visa Application) Charge Act 1997

Administrative structure

Minister for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship
30 Jan 2007 - 3 Dec 2007 : Kevin Andrews
3 Dec 2007 - 14 Sep 2010 : Chris Evans
14 Sep 2010 - 4 Feb 2013 : Chris Bowen
4 Feb 2013 - 27 Jun 2013 : Brendan O'Connor
1 Jul 2013 - 18 Sep 2013 : Tony Burke 

Assistant Minister for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship
21 Mar 2007 - 3 Dec 2007 : Theresa Gambaro .

Secretaries to the Department
30 Jan 2007 - 28 Jan 2013 : Andrew Metcalfe
29 Jan 2013 - 18 Sep 2013 : Martin Bowles 

Historical agency address

Benjamin Offices
6 Chan Street
Belconnen ACT 2617

State/regional structure

Records created by the agency

Additional information

End notes

Sources

1. Commonwealth of Australia Special Gazette No. S. 17, 30 January 2007,www.ag.gov.au/portal/govazonline.nsf.
2. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship website, http://www.immi.gov.au/, accessed from 1 May 2007.
3. Commonwealth of Australia Special Gazette No. S. 16, 27 January 2006,www.ag.gov.au/portal/govazonline.nsf.
4. Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs website, http://www.facs.gov.au/, accessed 18 April 2006.
5. Commonwealth of Australia Special Gazette No. S. 518, 17 December 2004,www.ag.gov.au/portal/govazonline.nsf.