In the last three months, processing of primary level asylum seeker applications increased from 1,002 in December 2023; to 1,479 in January 2024 and 2,037 in February 2024 (see Chart 1).

Applications processed exceeded new applications lodged in February 2024 for the first time since early 2022 when international borders re-opened and new applications again surged off the back of a massive backlog, very slow processing times, inadequate processing resources and a huge cut back in immigration compliance resources.

This rise in primary applications processed would reflect an increase in trained processing staff associated with the Government’s $160 million package to address the growing number of unresolved asylum seeker cases which has now reached a record 110,711. That includes 36,608 applications that have been refused at both........

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