The Immigration department has not been militarised, according to its boss Michael Pezzullo.

The departmental secretary, who was revealed this week to have the confidence of only 30 per cent of his staff, says that change is unsettling and that some decisions will not please everybody in the department.

Border Force Commissioner Roman Quaedvlieg. Credit:Rohan Thomson

In a joint statement with Border Force Commissioner Roman Quaedvlieg​, Mr Pezzullo said the dismal results of a staff Pulse survey, revealed this week by Fairfax Media, reflected "legitimate concerns" of his staff but the benefits of the merger with Customs were already being seen.