Visa Assessment Character Consideration Unit (VACCU)

VACCU are aiming to streamline the waiting period for cases referred to them.

There are currently 4040 cases on hand in VACCU and applicants are waiting for 18 months or more for a decision. This is particularly frustrating for visitors who may be planning to travel to Australia for a family event such as a wedding.

Initiatives have, however, been implemented to reduce the backlog and to categorise referrals to VACCU by the level of ‘seriousness’ of the offending by expediting low risk applicant cases such as historical minor convictions for older people. Currently,1,300/4040 cases with VACCU are considered to be of minimal risk.

This program year has seen the finalisation of referrals increase by 30% with the aged caseload reduced from 26 months to 16 months and 50% of the current caseload is now less than 12 months old.