UNCLASSIFIED
Changes to visitor entry conditions
and application forms
There will be changes to the conditions of entry and the entry application process for visitors to
immigration detention facilities. These changes will come into effect from
22 January 2018.
Why are these changes being made?
The Department is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all detainees, staff
and visitors in the immigration detention network. The safety and wellbeing of all people in detention
facilities is put at risk when contraband items such as drugs and weapons are introduced. The
changes to visitor entry conditions are being made to increase the safety of all visitors, detainees
and staff by ensuring that the Department has accurate information about the identity of individuals
visiting its facilities.
The Department must be sure that the people coming into the immigration detention network are
who they say they are and can be properly assessed for risk.
What is changing?
Online visit application form
• From 22 January 2018 personal and professional visitors can apply online to visit an
immigration detention facility on the Department’s website. This will be the Department’s
preferred method for visit applications – www.border.gov.au/about/immigration-detention-in-
australia/detention-facilities/visiting-an-immigration-detention-facility
Personal visitors
• Personal visitors will be asked to provide information about any prior criminal convictions and
will be required to consent to their information being used to maintain the good order, peace and
security of an immigration detention facility.
• Personal visitors will be required to provide 100 points of identification. A birth certificate,
ImmiCard, passport (current or expired) or a citizenship certificate carries 70 points. There are
various other secondary documents that visitors can provide ranging from 40 to 25 points.
• These details can be found on the Department’s website –
www.border.gov.au/about/immigration-detention-in-australia/detention-facilities/identification-
guidelines-for-visitors
UNCLASSIFIED
• Personal visitors should generally allow up to five business days for their application to visit an
immigration detention facility to be processed.
• Visit applications cannot be made on behalf of other people unless they are minors (under 18
years of age).
• Minors who are 16 or older must provide one item of ID at entry which can be a driver’s licence,
valid passport, Medicare card, concession card or student ID. Visitors under 16 do not generally
require proof of identity.
• All visitors under 18 must be supervised and accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
• Personal visitors will need to reapply each time they seek to visit an immigration detention
facility and will generally only be permitted to visit one detainee once per day.
• If personal visitors wish to visit multiple detainees in the same session, they will need to seek
approval from the facility Superintendent before they apply to visit. Instructions on how to seek
approval to visit multiple detainees is available on the Department’s website -
www.border.gov.au/about/immigration-detention-in-australia/detention-facilities/visiting-an-
immigration-detention-facility.
Professional visitors
• Professional visitors are required to provide one item of identification with a photograph such as
a driver’s licence, a valid passport or a professional or student ID card.
• Legal professionals and migration agents are required to provide evidence of their professional
status, and a departmental form 956 or other proof that they represent the detainee.
• Professional visitors will need to reapply each time they seek to visit an immigration detention
facility.
• Legal professionals, migration agents and consular officials need to allow one business day for
visit requests to be processed.
• Other professional visits should allow up to five business days for visit application processing.
Please refer to the Department’s website for more details on timeframes -
www.border.gov.au/about/immigration-detention-in-australia/detention-facilities/visiting-an-
immigration-detention-facility.
When will these changes come into effect?
The changes will come into effect on
22 January 2018. There will be a four week period of grace
after 22 January 2018 to enable people to adjust to the changes.
Where can I find more information?
You can speak to a member of staff or go to the Department’s website.
Website references: www.border.gov.au/about/immigration-detention-in-australia/detention-
facilities/visiting-an-immigration-detention-facility
www.border.gov.au/about/immigration-detention-in-australia/detention-facilities/identification-
guidelines-for-visitors
UNCLASSIFIED
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