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What I found on this entity
$3.9B department. Visa processing times blew out to multiples of stated targets. Over 1 million applications backlogged. Budget grew 8% year-on-year.
Annual Budget
$3.9B
Prior year: $3.6B (+8%)
Headcount
14,200 staff
$275K per employee
Budget Trend
↑ Budget Growing
Portfolio
Home Affairs
Performance Targets vs Actuals
Target
80% of visa applications processed within standard timeframes
Actual
35% of visa applications processed within standard timeframes (2023–24 Annual Report)
Source: Visa processing: DHA 2023–24 Annual Report. Migration Review Tribunal backlog data.
My Findings & Evidence4 findings
PBS31 Oct 2024
$2.2B wasted
$3.9B department misses visa processing targets by 56% — failing Australians
Home Affairs burned through $3.9 billion of your money in 2025-26 yet processed only 35% of visa applications within standard timeframes, against a target of 80%. That's a 56.3% shortfall on one of the department's core jobs. Australians and businesses waiting on visas are paying the price — twice, once with their taxes and again with the delays.
$143.8M blown on offshore processing contract overruns and dodgy ICT staffing
Your taxes copped a $143.8M hit from cost overruns on just two Home Affairs contracts. The Canstruct offshore processing deal blew out by 34% — that's roughly $107.7M over budget on a $423M limited tender — while a $42.3M Infosys ICT temp staffing contract more than doubled, overrunning by 135% or $56.9M. Both were limited tenders, meaning hardly anyone else got a look in.
$42M ICT contractors — 135% over original budget via limited tender
Home Affairs paid Infosys BPO $42.3 million for temporary ICT staff and contractors — 135% above the $18 million original estimate. The blowout occurred on a limited tender contract. ICT skills in high demand. A budget that doubled. No visible improvement in outcomes.
$22.8M workforce analytics — direct source, no competitive process
Home Affairs directly sourced $22.8 million in workforce analytics platform services from PwC Australia with no competitive tender. Direct source procurement — the most opaque procurement method available. No open market. No competitive pressure. Just a direct allocation to one of Australia most most prolific government consultants.