The first transfers of Sudanese and Lebanese nationals to Nauru are among 30 irregular maritime arrivals successfully transferred to the Nauru regional processing centre, where they will be processed, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship today announced.

The group of 30 males departed Christmas Island late yesterday on a charter aircraft, escorted by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), DIAC staff, interpreters and medical staff.

The group arrived in Nauru about 8.45am AEST.

On arrival in Nauru, the group of Vietnamese, Palestinian, Sudanese and Lebanese nationals – the 19th transfer to Nauru – were subject to relevant immigration, customs and quarantine clearance processes.

They will now be settled into their accommodation at the regional processing centre and go through induction processes.

The completion of this transfer reaffirms the strong message of deterrence for anyone considering risking their lives on dangerous people smuggling boats.

“The Australian Government is committed to deterring people from taking dangerous journeys by boat and stopping those people smugglers who profit from this trade,” said a Department of Immigration and Citizenship spokesman today.

“There will be no advantage for boat arrivals.”

Selection of this group was based on operational considerations and an assessment of their particular circumstances to confirm transfer was appropriate.

Transfers will continue to occur both to Manus and Nauru as part of the policy of regional processing of irregular maritime arrivals. 

The spokesman said the Australian Government continues to implement the recommendations of the report of the Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers, whose central principle provides that people choosing to travel to Australia by boat should receive no advantage.

“The Australian Government is committed to deterring people from taking dangerous journeys by boat and stopping those people smugglers who profit from this despicable trade,” the spokesman said.

Media Enquiries: National Communications 02 6264 2244

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) today confirmed an Afghan man died at Wickham Point immigration detention centre, near Darwin in the Northern Territory.

“He was found unconscious at the centre about 8.30am central time (9.00 am AEST) today,” a DIAC spokesman said.

“Service provider staff, including health services staff, tried to revive the man but were not successful,” he said.

The Afghan man, aged 62, was an irregular maritime arrival.

Northern Territory police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the man’s death, to prepare a report for the Coroner.

The department expresses its sympathy to the family and friends of the deceased man and will co-operate fully with the Coroner.

Media Enquiries: National Communications 02 6264 2244

New visa pricing arrangements to begin soon will encourage Department of Immigration and Citizenship clients to use online services where available.

Visa pricing measures already in place include a visa evidence charge, first announced by the Australian Government in November 2011.

From July 1, a “per-person” charge will apply to each family member included in a visa application.

They will each be required to pay the visa application charge.

“This will bring Australia's visa pricing arrangements into line with comparable countries,” a Department of Immigration and Citizenship spokesman said today.

There will be an additional charge of AUD80 for certain visas when visa applicants choose to lodge a paper application rather than an online application through the department’s eVisa service (where this service is available).

There will also be an extra charge of AUD700 for visa applicants who seek to stay in Australia for extended periods on successive temporary visas.

“These initiatives will put Australian visa services on a sustainable financial footing in the long term, while not detracting from Australia’s global position as a destination of choice to visit, live, work or study,” the spokesman said. 

“The vast majority of visitors will see no change, including those arriving on an Electronic Travel Authority and other visitors arriving in Australia who already pay on a per-person basis.”

Refugee and humanitarian visa applicants will be unaffected by the changes.

The department’s eLodgement systems will go offline from late June 28 to early July 1 so IT systems can be updated before the pricing changes come into effect.

Media enquiries: National Communications Branch 02 6264 2244

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) today warned temporary working holiday visa holders to be aware of scam text messages which appear to be from the department, seeking final payments for their visa application.

The text messages are targeting international communities in Australia holding temporary working holiday visas.

A departmental spokesman said it was a well-organised ruse to con visa holders into transferring a purported “unpaid Government fee”, when none is needed.

“The department has received information from a number of clients who have been sent these text messages, which directs them to a bogus web page that appears to be from DIAC,” the spokesman said.

“Anyone who receives this type of text message seeking payment should ignore the message.”

The webpage may appear authentic as it contains the department’s logo and ABN but can be identified the words “nettransfer.info” in the web address. It is from this bogus webpage that a payment can be made using a credit card.

It is important to report such incidents to the relevant state or territory police and to the Immigration Dob-In Line on 1800 009 623.

Media Enquiries: National Communications 02 6264 2244