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Counter People Smuggling Communication

​​​​​​​​The decision of the High Court of Australia on 3 February 2016 means that regional processing continues – this is a key element of the Operation Sovereign Borde​rs policy.

The legal challenge to Australia’s regional processing arrangements has no impact on Australia’s policy to turn back people smuggling boats that illegally enter our waters, or to transfer people to other countries for processing. 

The rules apply to everyone - families, children, unaccompanied children, educated and skilled. There are no exceptions.

Do not believe the lies of people smugglers. No one who travels illegally by boat without a visa will be permanently settled in Australia. 

The Operation Sovereign Borders policy has not changed or softened.

​A message from the Commander Operation Sovereign Borders
​Watch No change to Australia’s boat turn back policy​ – English video​

The Australian Minister for Immigration and Border Protection delivers a message that Australia has strong and consistent measures to protect our borders and they will not change. People who seek to come to our country illegally by boat will never be settled in Australia.

Read: The media release from The Hon Peter Dutton MP, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection.​

​​​Operation Sovereign Borders

Leaflet

The Australian Government is implementing the toughest border protection measures ever to combat maritime people smuggling and protect Australia's borders.

Operation Sovereign Borders (OSB) is a military-led border security initiative to stop the boats, prevent people risking their lives at sea in the hands of criminals, and preserve the integrity of Australia's immigration program.

Asylum seekers who travel by boat without a visa will not end up in Australia. The rules apply to everyone; families, children, unaccompanied children, educated and skilled. There are no exceptions.

Australia is serious about protecting its borders and will stop anyone who attempts to come illegally by boat.

The OSB Joint Agency Task Force is delivering a range of offs​hore communication activities to inform people considering travelling to Australia illegally by boat that the rules have changed, they should not believe the lies of people smugglers and there is no way they will make Australia home. ​

​​​​​A message from the Australian Minister for Immigration and Border Protection 

​​Changes to resettlement

The Australian Government has changed its rules for refugee resettlement from Indonesia.

If you travel to Indonesia and register with UNHCR in Indonesia on or after 1 July 2014 you will not be considered for resettlement in Australia.

The number of resettlement places offered by Australia to people registered with UNHCR in Indonesia before 1 July 2014 has also been reduced.

The rules apply to everyone. There are no exceptions.​

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Factsheet

Factsheet
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Factsheet
(PDF 73 KB)

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Media room

Visit Operation Sovereign Borders for media releases, transcripts and operational updates.

More information

Visit Refugee and Humanitarian for information on Australia’s Humanitarian Program.

Visit Refugee and Humanitarian visas for information on recent changes to Refugee and Humanitarian visas.

Visit the Department of Immigration and Border Protection's newsroom to access up-to-date news on refugees, offshore processing, settlement arrangements, and Australia’s Humanitarian Program.

Visit Find a visa to find a visa which might be appropriate to you.

 

Are you in Australia?

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