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  Bea Leoncini Friday, 29 January 2016

  AUSTRALIA POST is fast becoming irrelevant, EXCEPT for instances where it is IMPORTANT to send something registered as a means of evidencing it being posted, so you can follow the trail. However, 'Online' at all times where possible and NOT JUST with AAT cases... This is my experience:
  
  When you need to evidence having sent something electronically, particularly email, if it's not an online process which generates its own receipt, get into the habit of ALWAYS requesting a 'delivered receipt' AND a 'read receipt' (although this feature can be 'turned off' at the receiving end) so you can produce evidence of 'it' having been received at least (and if you don't use an email program that provides you with the option, then consider getting one).
  
  This strategy is particularly important with the Department (or with any other 'stakeholders' that may be involved in a case: Quals Assessment, etc); even though sending something to the Department usually generates an auto-reply these days, the auto-reply doesn't always specify the subject matter in it, other than it is auto-replying to SOMETHING you sent (the partner visa section does but the NSWPSE doesn't, for example, thus the importance of a 'delivered' and 'read' receipt down the line if it all goes pear-shaped).
  
  This is also particularly useful if you've had a conversation with someone and you're confirming your understanding of it and/or its outcome.
  
  SO, with cases where you're not getting any traction or are sufficiently concerned about, IF you happen to have the FAX number of the section that you're dealing with, SEND them the email with the appropriate 'ticks', then PRINT the whole thing plus the generated mail delivery (and read) receipt and FAX it to get a response. Granted that, sometimes, we don't have THE fax number of the particular section so THAT 'may' be a problem but there 'may' be ways of getting around it... remember that ''Necessity is the mother of all invention''...
  
  Also granted that this could be 'overkill' but sometimes extreme situations call for extreme measures, particularly if it's a complex issue where a timely response isn't forthcoming - it may not necessarily help you at THAT particular point but it gives you an evidence trail for merits review (or anything else) further down the line...
  
  It has worked for me during and post-visa processing, particularly in relation to Global Feedback complaints and in support of Tribunal applications and beyond.
  
  Also consider that The Electronic Transactions Act (1999) recognizes an electronic transaction as having been made, even if it's not seen or acknowledged (with the exception of immigration related docs as specified in Schedule 1 of this Act). This legislation is a useful tool and resource (as in the case of communication with clients or third parties, etc), in spite of its limitations with regards to some Immigration related docs - here's the link: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/eta1999256/
  
  Any feedback to these suggestions would be great - I'd like to know of other useful strategies we can all share and views about the Electronic Transactions Act 1999 which I think it's worth discussing.
  
  Cheers,
  
  Bea

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