PORTFOLIO OVERVIEW
Portfolio Overview
IMMIGRATION AND BORDER PROTECTION PORTFOLIO
OVERVIEW
Ministers and Portfolio Responsibilities
The portfolio has two Ministers, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, the Minister for
Immigration and Border Protection, and Senator, the Hon Michaelia Cash, Assistant
Minister for Immigration and Border Protection.
The portfolio agencies—all of which are Financial Management and Accountability
Act 1997 (FMA Act) entities—are:
 the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP)
 the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS)
 the Migration Review Tribunal and Refugee Review Tribunal (MRT–RRT).
During financial years 2014-15 and 2015-16, DIBP and the ACBPS will progressively
transition into a single Department of Immigration and Border Protection. This
includes the establishment of the Australian Border Force —a single frontline
operational border agency with statutory responsibilities to enforce our customs and
immigration laws— within the department. The Australian Border Force will draw
together the operational border, investigations, compliance, detention and enforcement
functions of the two existing agencies. Policy, regulatory and corporate functions will
combine within the broader department.
At a consolidated level the average staffing level is forecast to decrease from 14,304,
including Locally Engaged Employees (LEEs), to 13,824, a reduction of approximately
480 full time positions. The reduction of 480 includes the effect of the Machinery of
Government changes of 18 September 2013 for functions transferred out of both
agencies.
During 2014-15, the Migration Review Tribunal and Refugee Review Tribunal will
work with other key Commonwealth external merits review agencies and relevant
departments to implement the Government’s decision to amalgamate the
Administrative Appeals Tribunal, Migration Review Tribunal, Refugee Review
Tribunal, Social Security Appeals Tribunal and Classification Review Board with effect
from 1 July 2015.
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Portfolio Overview
Department of Immigration and Border Protection
DIBP’s purpose is: building Australia’s future through the well-managed entry and
settlement of people.
DIBP’s business is to:
 contribute to Australia’s future through managed migration
 contribute to Australia’s security through border management and traveler
facilitation
 promote Australian citizenship
 protect refugees and contribute to humanitarian policy internationally
 make fair and reasonable decisions for people entering or leaving Australia,
ensuring compliance with Australia’s immigration laws and integrity in decision
making.
Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority
The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA), a discrete office
attached to DIBP from 1 July 2009, regulates the activities of the Australian migration
advice profession in order to provide consumers of migration advice services with
appropriate protection and assurance.
OMARA is supported by an Advisory Body comprising a diverse range of
stakeholders. Planned performance information is included in the DIBP Budget
Statements, Section 2 Contributions to Outcome 1.
Australian Customs and Border Protection Service
As the primary border agency, the ACBPS is responsible for protecting the safety,
security and commercial interests of Australians through border protection designed
to support legitimate trade and travel, and to ensure collection of border revenue and
trade statistics. The ACBPS is also the lead agency for civil maritime security in
detecting, reporting and responding to unlawful activity in Australia’s offshore
maritime zone.
The ACBPS undertakes its role with, and on behalf of, dozens of other agencies to
protect the border, a strategic national asset fundamental to both national security and
economic prosperity.
Migration Review Tribunal and Refugee Review Tribunal
The MRT-RRT provides an independent and final merits review of decisions made in
relation to visas to travel to, enter or stay in Australia.
MRT-RRT is established under the Migration Act 1958 (Migration Act), and their
jurisdiction and powers are set out in the Migration Act and in the Migration
Regulations 1994. Both tribunals operate as a single agency for the purposes of the
FMA Act.
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Portfolio Overview
Figure 1: Immigration and Border Protection Portfolio Structure and Outcomes
Minister for Immigration and Border Protection
The Hon Scott Morrison MP
Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection
Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash
Department of Immigration and Border Protection
Secretary: Mr Martin Bowles PSM
Outcome 1
Support a prosperous and inclusive Australia through managing
temporary and permanent migration, entry through Australia's borders,
and Australian citizenship.
Outcome 2
Support Australia's international and humanitarian obligations by providing
protection, resettlement and assistance to refugees and those in
humanitarian need, including through arrangements with other countries.
Outcome 3
Support Australia's border protection through managing the stay and
departure of all non-citizens.
Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority
Chief Executive Officer: Mr Steve Ingram
(Included in Outcome 1 above)
Australian Customs and Border Protection Service
Chief Executive Officer: Mr Michael Pezzullo
Outcome 1
The protection of the safety, security and commercial interests of
Australians through border protection designed to support legitimate trade
and travel and ensure collection of border revenue and trade statistics.
Migration Review Tribunal and Refugee Review Tribunal
Principal Member: Ms Kay Ransome
Outcome 1
To provide correct and preferable decisions for visa applicants and
sponsors through independent, fair, just, economical, informal and quick
merits reviews of migration and refugee decisions.
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Portfolio Overview
PORTFOLIO RESOURCES
Table 1 reports the total new resources provided to the portfolio in the 2014-15 budget
year, by agency.
Table 1: Portfolio Resources 2014-15
Appropriation
Bill No. 1 Bill No. 2
$m
$m
Departm ent of Im m igration and
Border Protection
Administered appropriations
Departmental appropriations
Total:
Special
$m
Receipts
Total
$m
$m
2,463
1,503
3,966
291
3
294
-
61
61
2,754
1,567
4,321
61
61
-
-
-
61
61
Australian Custom s and
Border Protection Service
Administered appropriations
Departmental appropriations
Total:
1
1,009
1,010
137
137
360
360
70
70
1
1,576
1,577
Portfolio total
5,037
431
360
131
5,959
-
-
-
-
-
Migration Review Tribunal
Refugee Review Tribunal
Administered appropriations
Departmental appropriations
Total:
Less amounts transferred
w ithin portfolio
Resources available w ithin portfolio:
6
5,959