On 6 August 2018, the Full Federal Court handed down judgment in DBB16 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2018] FCAFC 178 (the DBB16 judgment). This judgment followed related decisions about persons who entered Australia aboard the vessels ‘Xenia’ and ‘Weinem’ (the “related judgments”). The DBB16 judgment determined that certain people who entered Australia via the Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands between 23 January 2002 and 1 June 2013 are not unauthorised maritime arrivals (UMAs) or fast track applicants as defined in the Migration Act 1958 (the Act).
We ask for your patience as we work through cases affected by the judgment. We are currently assessing the impact of the DBB16 judgment on visa applicants. We will notify affected persons or their appointed migration agent/contact in due course of the next steps in processing their case. Due to the number of people affected, this may take some time.
It is important that your contact details, including your phone number, postal and email address, are up to date. You can update your contact details online via your
ImmiAccount.
If you wish to notify us that you have appointed a migration agent or legal representative to receive correspondence on your behalf, please complete
Form 956 – Advice by a migration agent/exempt person of providing immigration assistance.
