Migration Review Tribunal – Refugee Review Tribunal (MRT-RRT) – Country Advice
Australian Government
Source description last updated: 10 November 2011.
Mission/Mandate:
“To provide correct and preferable decisions for visa applicants and sponsors through independent, fair, just, economical, informal and quick merits reviews of migration and refugee decisions.
The Migration Review Tribunal (the MRT) and the Refugee Review Tribunal (the RRT) provide an independent and final merits review of decisions made in relation to visas to travel to, enter or stay in Australia. The MRT reviews decisions made in respect of general visas (e.g. visitor, student, partner, family, business, skilled visas) and the RRT deals with decisions made in respect of protection (refugee) visas.” (MRT-RRT website,
http://www.mrt-rrt.gov.au, accessed on 25 October 2011)
Target group and Objective of “Country Advice”:
“The Tribunals' Country Advice service provides Refugee Review Tribunal Members with country of origin information to assist them to undertake reviews. A selection of this research is made available on the
MRT-RRT’s website for the information of visa applicants, migration advisers and the public.” (MRT-RRT website,
http://www.mrt-rrt.gov.au/Country-Advice/default.aspx, accessed on 25 October 2011)
Funding:
“The Tribunals are established under the
Migration Act 1958 and the Tribunals’ jurisdiction and powers are set out in the Migration Act and in the Migration Regulations 1994. All Members and staff are cross-appointed to both Tribunals and the Tribunals operate as a single agency for the purposes of the
Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997.” (MRT-RRT website,
http://www.mrt-rrt.gov.au/default.aspx, accessed on 25 October 2011)
Scope of reporting:
“The research is of the following main types:
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Basic Information Packages which are an electronic collection of background information compiled from authoritative sources.
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Issue or thematic packages produced and maintained on issues or topics of continuing relevance.
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Research Responses prepared in a ‘question and answer’ format to requests for specific information from Members.”
Geographic focus:
Most countries of origin of asylum seekers.
Reporting methodology:
“The Country Advice Service critically evaluates and analyses a wide range of open source material […]. The service consults reputable sources from Australian and overseas governments, as well as international development and humanitarian organisations, NGOs, religious and interest groups. Academic and media sources are also consulted where appropriate. Country Advice also makes off-shore enquiries on behalf of Members directly and through overseas diplomatic posts of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.” (MRT-RRT Factsheet MR7: Country Advice Service, December 2009,
www.mrt-rrt.gov.au/ArticleDocuments/46/MR7CountryAdvice.pdf.aspx, accessed 25 October 2011)
“The research materials have been edited to protect the identity and privacy of individual visa applicants, and in some cases, to maintain the integrity of the review process.” (MRT-RRT website,
http://www.mrt-rrt.gov.au/Country-Advice/default.aspx, accessed 25 October 2011)
Further information with regard to working methodology:
MRT-RRT: Factsheet MR7: Country Advice Service, December 2009
Publication cycle:
· Research Responses: no fixed publication cycle.
Languages:
English
Navigation of website:
Further Reading:
MRT-RRT: Factsheet MR7: Country Advice Service, December 2009
