Hundreds more public servants at the Immigration Department and Australian Border Force are set to lose their jobs as the department is hit with deep cuts to its budget this year.
There are worries that it could mean longer queues for people arriving in Australia and visa applications being processed more slowly.
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) confirmed that a 5% cut to its budget, some $116 million, means that staff numbers will be reduced by 300. But the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) believes it could be as high as 800.
Voluntary redundancies will be offered until late October and after that there will be a freeze on hiring replacements for departing staff.