On 18 December 2024, the Department of Home Affairs
(“the Department”) issued Immigration
Directive No 16 of 2024 (“the December 2024
directive”) in an attempt to address the long-term
backlog in its visa and permitting regime.
The Department recently assessed whether the outcomes of
applications would be ready for the deadline imposed in the
December 2024 directive, being 31 March 2025, and determined that
they would not be ready, primarily due to delays in the printing
process. The Department also determined that the processing of the
resultant appeals, as well as some manual category applications,
will not be completed by 31 March 2025. It is for these reasons
that a further extension has been granted. In terms of Immigration
Directive No 4 of 2025 (“the March 2025
Directive”) made on 28 March, the following is
provided for:
