Returns from Australia and offshore processing centres
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As at 31 March 2024, 984 people had been returned or removed to their country of origin (both ‘voluntarily’ and involuntarily) since the beginning of offshore processing, with less than five returned to a third country.
The Department’s monthly updates (from January 2014) show that there has been a small number of people who ‘voluntarily’ leave the offshore processing centres over time. Since September 2023 to 31 August 2025, 57 people had ‘voluntarily’ returned home (Senate Estimates, 8 October 2025, p. 109).
This graph shows the number of involuntary (forced) returns and ‘voluntary’ returns by nationality of those transferred to offshore processing since 19 July 2013.
This graph shows the number of people who have been ‘assisted’ in voluntarily returning to their country of origin. This means they were provided with assistance (including financial assistance), funded by the Australian government, to return.
This graph shows that 22 people who were recognised as refugees have ‘voluntarily’ returned.
