Detention Services Provider Contracts

On 29 June 2009, the department entered into a five-year contract with Serco Australia Pty Ltd to provide services to people in immigration detention centres throughout Australia. Transition from the previous detention service provider G4S Australia Pty Ltd was completed in November 2009.

The department signed a contract in January 2009 with International Health and Medical Services Pty Limited (IHMS) to provide general and mental health services to people in immigration detention. Transition from the previous health contracts was completed in May 2009.

On 11 December 2009, the department entered into a five-year contract with Serco Australia Pty Ltd to provide services to people in immigration residential housing and immigration transit accommodation throughout Australia. Transition from the previous detention service provider G4S Australia Pty Ltd was completed in January 2010.

What is the significance?

The contracts reflect the way forward for detention services, incorporating the major changes at DIAC since the Palmer and Comrie reports, and the Government's 'New Directions in Detention'.
See: Key Immigration Detention Values

Recommendations of various bodies, such as the Immigration Detention Advisory Group (succeeded by the Council for Immigration Services and Status Resolution in 2009), and reports, such as the Palmer and Comrie reports, were incorporated within the contract.
See: Council for Immigration Services and Status Resolution (CISSR)

What was achieved?

The 2009 contract replaces the detention services contract entered into with G4S Australia Pty Ltd in 2003.