Document 1
IN-CONFIDENCE
Briefing – Border Protection Taskforce
Assisted Voluntary Returns (AVR) of potential irregular immigrants (PIIs)
DIAC’s engagement in Indonesia is focused on supporting whole-of-
government efforts to combat people smuggling activity and irregular people
movement, collaboration on immigration matters at the operational and
technical level, and ongoing work to increase protection space in the region.
Australia supports Indonesia’s efforts to prevent people smuggling, including
by funding the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to assist PIIs
who are likely to attempt, or who have attempted, unauthorised travel to
Australia.
Regional cooperation arrangements (RCA) and IOM
s. 33(a)(iii)
Asylum seekers under IOM care who raise protection claims
are referred to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR) for assessment. Similar arrangements have been
implemented in Papua New Guinea and East Timor and other regional
countries when required.
s. 33(a)(iii)
Operation of the RCA
s. 47E(d)
IOM issues the PII with an IOM identification number and a basic necessities
pack which includes clothes, linen, food, and hygiene products. IOM also
IN-CONFIDENCE
1
1
2
Pages 1 to 26 have been deleted under section 22(1)(a)(ii) - as they are irrelevant to the scope of this FOI request
Document 2
3
Document 2
1.5.1.3 Assisted Voluntary Returns (AVR)
The RCA enables IOM to arrange travel for irregular migrants who wish to return voluntarily to their country of origin under the Assisted Voluntary
Return (AVR) programme. IOM Indonesia provides;
a. Pre-departure assistance - counselling, medical assistance, transport assistance arrangements (including travel documentation), among
others;
b. Transportation assistance - departure assistance, escorts, pre-embarkation medical checks, medical escorts if needed, and other like
services; and
c. Post-arrival assistance - in close coordination with IOM offices in return countries, migrants reception, and health-related support. IOM
Indonesia also provides reintegration grants to returning irregular migrants.
The provision of funding for AVRs allows irregular migrants a safe way to return to their country of origin in circumstances where the irregular
migrant considers that their ability to secure resettlement is limited or impossible. s. 33(a)(iii)
Since January 2012, IOM
has supported 3,199 assisted voluntary returns, as outlined below in Figure 3.
9
© 2015 KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss
entity. All rights reserved.
KPMG and the KPMG logo are registered trademarks of KPMG International.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
4
Pages 28 to 97 have been deleted under section 22(1)(a)(ii) - as they are irrelevant to the scope of this FOI request
Document 2
5
