EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Migration Regulations 1994
SPECIFIED PLACE
(Paragraph 2.04(3)(b) and Subparagraph 2.08AC(4)(a)(ii))
- This Instrument is made under paragraph 2.04(3)(b) and subparagraph 2.08AC(4)(a)(ii) of the Migration Regulations 1994 (‘the Regulations’).
2. Paragraph 2.04(3)(b) provides that a personal identifier is to be provided at a place specified by the Minister in an instrument in writing. This relates to the provision of personal identifiers for the purposes of paragraph 40(3)(a) and subsection 40(5) of the Migration Act 1958 (‘the Act’) in relation to circumstances for granting visas.
3. Subparagraph 2.08AC(4)(a)(ii) provides that a personal identifier is to be provided at a place specified by the Minister in an instrument in writing. Paragraph 2.08AC(4) relates to the provision of personal identifiers for the purposes of subsection 46(2C) of the Act in relation to valid visa applications.
4. The purpose of the Instrument is to add the Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and visa application centres in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore as specified places for biometrics collection and remove Syria as it is no longer practical to implement a biometrics collection centre in Syria for the foreseeable future.
5. The effect of the Instrument is to specify places in Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Lebanon, Kenya, Jordan, France, Pakistan, Ghana, Ethiopia and Cambodia where an applicant is to provide personal identifiers when required by an officer, for the purpose of assessing the validity of a visa application under subparagraph 2.08AC(4)(a)(ii) and for circumstances in which a visa may be granted under paragraph 2.04(3)(b).
6. Consultation was not necessary as, under subsection 18(1) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, the Instrument is of a minor or machinery nature and does not substantially alter existing arrangements.
7. Under section 44 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 the Instrument is exempt from disallowance and therefore a Human Rights Statement of Compatibility is not required.
8. The Office of Best Practice Regulation has advised that a Regulatory Impact Statement is not required (OBPR Reference 12114).
9. The Instrument, IMMI 12/098 commences on 6 December 2012.