Change in Contact Arrangements for ASPC

11-15-2006, 01:45 AM

Hi Folks,

I understand that from midnight tonight (and that may be Australian
Eastern Daylight Saving Time or Australian Central Daylight Saving Time,
don't know whose clock they'll be using), the ASPC is going to go over
to a web-based contact arrangement using the link
http://www.immi.gov.au/FEEDBACK/gsm/post.htm - you'll be able to check
processing times and contact details and submit documentation online.
This is apparently one reason why the automated processing times email
isn't working at the moment. I'm expecting an announcement today and
will keep you all posted.

Cheers,

George Lombard

www.austimmigration.com.au

__________________
www.austimmigration.com.au

11-15-2006, 03:06 AM

> Hi Folks,
>
> I understand that from midnight tonight (and that may be Australian
> Eastern Daylight Saving Time or Australian Central Daylight Saving
> Time, don't know whose clock they'll be using), the ASPC is going to
> go over to a web-based contact arrangement using the link
> http://www.immi.gov.au/FEEDBACK/gsm/post.htm - you'll be able to check
> processing times and contact details and submit documentation online.
> This is apparently one reason why the automated processing times email
> isn't working at the moment. I'm expecting an announcement today and
> will keep you all posted.
>
> Cheers,
>
> George Lombard
>
> www.austimmigration.com.au

George, thanks a lot for clarifying the matter regarding the long
awaited Tuesday email!!

Sush-jpn

11-15-2006, 03:36 AM

> Hi Folks,
>
> I understand that from midnight tonight (and that may be Australian
> Eastern Daylight Saving Time or Australian Central Daylight Saving
> Time, don't know whose clock they'll be using), the ASPC is going to
> go over to a web-based contact arrangement using the link
> http://www.immi.gov.au/FEEDBACK/gsm/post.htm - you'll be able to check
> processing times and contact details and submit documentation online.
> This is apparently one reason why the automated processing times email
> isn't working at the moment. I'm expecting an announcement today and
> will keep you all posted.
>
> Cheers,
>
> George Lombard
>
> www.austimmigration.com.au

Hi George,

What exactly do they mean by "web-based contact arrangement?"

I assume we will be able to check the processing times directly on
the web instead of emails. I wonder whether it will be updated daily
or weekly?

What I really want to know is will this system give us anymore
information about our own visa applications? Could we potentially go on
and see where we are in the line up, or if our file has been pulled up
lately? That would be fantastic if we could, although I'm not holding
out hope for that.

I know you may not have answers right now but I'm sure we would all
appreciate any news we can get.

Thanks for the update,

Haley

11-15-2006, 04:08 AM

> Hi George,
>
> What exactly do they mean by "web-based contact arrangement?"
>
> I assume we will be able to check the processing times directly on
> the web instead of emails. I wonder whether it will be updated daily
> or weekly?
>
> What I really want to know is will this system give us anymore
> information about our own visa applications? Could we potentially go
> on and see where we are in the line up, or if our file has been pulled
> up lately? That would be fantastic if we could, although I'm not
> holding out hope for that.
>
> I know you may not have answers right now but I'm sure we would all
> appreciate any news we can get.
>
> Thanks for the update,
>
> Haley

Dear Haley and Sush and everyone:

I've received the details, such as they are:

E-mail mailboxes - technical difficulties are affecting auto-
reply messages

We are currently experiencing technical difficulties with the automated
responses from our email mailboxes including the e-mail address
""
As you are probably aware enquiries made about processing information do
not receive an auto-reply. I have attached the current processing
information at the end of this email to assist in responding to any
enquiries made to your members.

The department is currently working towards a solution to this problem,
and
we expect the system to be operating again in the near future.

This email malfunction is also affecting other departmental mailboxes
that
would normally provide an auto response including
and the mailboxes for receiving
scanned
documents. Please note that emails are being received and actioned
despite auto replies not being sent.

Contacting the ASPC - The method for clients to contact us is changing
from
16 November 2006

As you may already be aware the ASPC will be changing from an email
based
enquiry service to a web-based service with effect from 12.00am on 16
November 2006.

The email address will be removed
and
enquiries will need to be made through the department's website.

All contact information for the ASPC will be available from the page
http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/visa-enquiries/professionals.htm
including
web based forms to make enquiries.

Contact information for telephone or written enquiries are unchanged.

Providing client information to the ASPC

Please note that information about sending scanned documents to the ASPC
is
available at http://www.immi.gov.au/gateways/agents/faqs/5.0.htm

Cheers,

George Lombard

__________________
www.austimmigration.com.au

11-15-2006, 05:22 AM

> Dear Haley and Sush and everyone:
>
> I've received the details, such as they are:
>
> E-mail mailboxes - technical difficulties are affecting auto-reply
> messages
>
> We are currently experiencing technical difficulties with the
> automated
> responses from our email mailboxes including the e-mail address
> ""
> As you are probably aware enquiries made about processing information
> do
> not receive an auto-reply. I have attached the current processing
> information at the end of this email to assist in responding to any
> enquiries made to your members.
>
> The department is currently working towards a solution to this
> problem, and
> we expect the system to be operating again in the near future.
>
> This email malfunction is also affecting other departmental mailboxes
> that
> would normally provide an auto response including
> and the mailboxes for receiving
> scanned
> documents. Please note that emails are being received and actioned
> despite auto replies not being sent.
>
> Contacting the ASPC - The method for clients to contact us is changing
> from
> 16 November 2006
>
> As you may already be aware the ASPC will be changing from an email
> based
> enquiry service to a web-based service with effect from 12.00am on 16
> November 2006.
>
> The email address will be removed
> and
> enquiries will need to be made through the department's website.
>
> All contact information for the ASPC will be available from the page
> http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/visa-enquiries/professionals.htm
> including
> web based forms to make enquiries.
>
> Contact information for telephone or written enquiries are unchanged.
>
> Providing client information to the ASPC
>
> Please note that information about sending scanned documents to the
> ASPC is
> available at http://www.immi.gov.au/gateways/agents/faqs/5.0.htm
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> George Lombard

Checked out the website and it appears as though there really aren't any
major changes. The only difference I can see is that we can't send
emails to them anymore so we will have to use the web contact form
instead. Which makes absolutely no difference to me.

I really hope that someday we will be able to check all visa
applications regardless of how they were lodged. Unfortunately I don't
see that happening until long after I get my own visa.

Oh well, I guess we must continue playing the waiting in the dark game.

11-15-2006, 06:08 AM

> Checked out the website and it appears as though there really aren't
> any major changes. The only difference I can see is that we can't
> send emails to them anymore so we will have to use the web contact
> form instead. Which makes absolutely no difference to me.
>
> I really hope that someday we will be able to check all visa
> applications regardless of how they were lodged. Unfortunately I
> don't see that happening until long after I get my own visa.
>
> Oh well, I guess we must continue playing the waiting in the
> dark game.

Does this mean that we won't be getting processing dates from now on?
Or is it available through the web inquirey form? Confusing!!

Sush-jpn

11-15-2006, 06:31 AM

> Does this mean that we won't be getting processing dates from now on?
> Or is it available through the web inquirey form? Confusing!!

>
> Sush-jpn

Hi Sush, Haley,

I was told today that the automated processing times thing would take
another week to fix. However it seems they're getting so many enquiries
to that address that they've come to realise that it saves them a lot of
trouble in answering calls and emails, so I'm sure it will be available
in some form - I'm still expecting the other link to be live at
midnight, perhaps that will shed some more light on the situation.

Cheers,

George Lombard

www.austimmigration.com.au

__________________
www.austimmigration.com.au

11-15-2006, 06:36 AM

> Hi Sush, Haley,
>
> I was told today that the automated processing times thing would take
> another week to fix. However it seems they're getting so many
> enquiries to that address that they've come to realise that it saves
> them a lot of trouble in answering calls and emails, so I'm sure it
> will be available in some form - I'm still expecting the other link to
> be live at midnight, perhaps that will shed some more light on the
> situation.
>
> Cheers,
>
> George Lombard
>
> www.austimmigration.com.au

Thanks for the quick reply George!!! That's good news!!

sush-jpn

11-15-2006, 06:43 AM

> Thanks for the quick reply George!!! That's good news!!
>
> sush-jpn

I agree... having the processing times on the web would make a lot more
sense. I can't even imagine how many requests they get by email!

I had forgotten about the initial link George provided. I'm hoping
there might be something good there, will have to check it in the
morning though as it's very late here.

Haley

11-15-2006, 07:13 AM

> Hi Folks,
>
> I understand that from midnight tonight (and that may be Australian
> Eastern Daylight Saving Time or Australian Central Daylight Saving
> Time, don't know whose clock they'll be using), the ASPC is going to
> go over to a web-based contact arrangement using the link
> http://www.immi.gov.au/FEEDBACK/gsm/post.htm - you'll be able to check
> processing times and contact details and submit documentation online.
> This is apparently one reason why the automated processing times email
> isn't working at the moment. I'm expecting an announcement today and
> will keep you all posted.
>
> Cheers,
>
> George Lombard
>
> www.austimmigration.com.au

Thats what I filled in yesterday George to query the processing times
email. It all makes sense now as to why I havent had a reply.