Following the recent announcement on Facebook, the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has changed its name to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP). The change was foreshadowed last week when Scott Morrison MP was sworn in as the new Minister for Immigration and Border Protection on 18 September 2013.
In practical terms there will be little impact on the Australian visa application process except for minor changes in forms. This may affect those applying for a prospective marriage (fiancee) visa, unmarried partner or spousal visa, as any immigration forms which have been completed pending the submission of a migration application will now need to be updated when the new version becomes available.
The department’s contact details remain the same, as do the current processing times and immigration requirements. Among other responsibilities, the department will manage entry, visa, stay and departure arrangements for non-Australian citizens, border immigration control and citizenship.