Offshore processing - Refugee Council of Australia

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‘Offshore processing’ refers to Australia’s unique practice of sending people seeking asylum by boat to Nauru or Manus Island where they are detained while their refugee claims are determined. Australia first did this between 2001-2008, and started again in 2012. However, on 19 July 2013, there was a very significant change to the policy – even if people were found to be refugees, they would never be resettled in Australia.

Offshore processing is a cruel and inhumane practice that causes enormous suffering to highly vulnerable people.

Key facts

Latest on offshore processing

Nauru: The facts

This factsheet on Nauru summarises key issues for refugees on Nauru, including mental health, the effect on children, inadequate healthcare, and family separation.

How the US resettles refugees

People on Nauru and Manus Island are starting to be resettled in the US. How does their resettlement program work? What support do they get, and can they reunite with families?

Refugees on PNG face unchecked violence: Human Rights Watch report

Human Rights Watch has released a damning report on the dangers faced by those transferred to Papua New Guinea (PNG) under Australia's policy of offshore processing. As Australia plans to close the centre there on 31 October 2017, Human Rights Watch documents why people are afraid to leave the centre and why settling them on PNG will not work.

The Department reports: the annual report of the Department of Immigration 2016-2017

The year 2016-2017 has been a turbulent period for Australian refugee policy, as evidenced by the recent Department of Immigration and Border Protection's 2016-17 annual report. The report provides key statistics and information on changes to policy and practice during the past year.

The Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants reports on Australia

The Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, François Crépeau, visited Australia and the regional processing centres in Nauru from 1 to 18 November 2016. Consultations were held with officials of the Government of Australia, migrants, civil society organisations and international organisations. His highly critical report was made public in June 2017.

Spotlight on Australia’s cruel asylum policy at the Human Rights Council

On 9 June 2017, the Global Human Rights Group, Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA), Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) co-hosted a side event during the 35th meeting of the Human Rights Council.

Abuse, self-harm and neglect on Manus and Nauru: Senate Inquiry Report 2017

The Australian Senate has conducted an inquiry into 'serious allegations of abuse, self-harm and neglect' of people seeking asylum at Nauru and Manus regional processing centres (RPCs). The Senate inquiry was led by the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee, and a report was released in April 2017.

Unauthorised $2.2bn spent on offshore detention centres: flaws in the immigration department

The Australian government’s independent auditor has delivered a scathing review condemning the Department of Immigration and Border Protection for spending an unauthorised $2.2bn on its offshore detention programs.