Immigration detention statistics

back to immigration detention, asylum seekers and refugees

How many people are in immigration detention in Australia?

As at 30 November 2015 there were:

1,852 people in immigration detention facilities, and 585 people in community detention in Australia

This included 104 children in immigration detention facilities and 331 children in community detention

Length of detention in immigration detention facilities:

• 427 people has been in detention for 0-3 months
• 223 people had been in detention for 3-6 months
• 375 people had been in detention for 6-12 months
• 207 people had been in detention for 12-18 months
• 184 people had been in detention for 18 months to 2 years
• 436 people had been in detention for over 2 years.

How many people have been released from detention on Bridging Visas?

As at 30 November 2015 there were 29,008 people (including 3,979 children) who had been permitted to live in the community on Bridging Visas.

How many asylum seekers who arrived to Australia by boat are in detention in third countries?

As a result of Australia's system of third country processing for asylum seekers who arrived by boat without a visa, as at 30 November 2015 there were:

• 543 asylum seekers (including 70 children) in detention in Nauru
• 926 adult asylum seekers in detention on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea

(Source: Department of Immigration and Border Protection, Immigration Detention and Community Statistics)