Home Affairs to digitise asylum applications to speed up processing

Key Points

• Home Affairs is developing a biometric online platform for asylum applications, expected by November 2026, which will require biometric data submission and identity verification.
• The platform aims to reduce processing delays and prevent repeated applications by rejected asylum seekers, potentially impacting the volume of immigration-related procurement.
• The project will likely involve significant IT and biometric technology procurement, including hardware, software, and integration services.
• The department's experience with the Electronic Travel Authorisation system suggests a preference for proven technology vendors.
• The Constitutional Court judgment of July 2026 may influence the design and implementation of the platform, requiring compliance with procedural fairness.
• The backlog of asylum appeals indicates an urgent need for efficient processing, which may accelerate procurement timelines.