Executive Summary
The Australian Prime Minister announced that a new Department of Home Affairs was officially established that combines Australia’s federal law enforcement, national and transport security, criminal justice, emergency management, multicultural affairs and immigration and border-related agencies. The Department of Home Affairs will oversee all immigration and citizenship functions.
The situation
On December 21, 2017, the Australian Prime Minister announced that the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) was officially established after a government reorganization. The Minister for Immigration and Border Protection will also lead the Department as the Minister for Home Affairs.
- Purpose. The Department combines Australia’s federal law enforcement, national and transport security, criminal justice, emergency management, multicultural affairs and immigration and border-related functions and agencies.
- Impact. The Department will carry out all immigration and citizenship functions, as it now includes the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
- Website. A new Home Affairs website has been established. Functions under previous agencies that are now part of the Department will progressively be updated in the first half of 2018.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
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