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Managing Australia's Borders

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Immigration Detention Facilities

Why do we encourage you to arrange your visit before prior to arrival?

Arranging your visit in advance will help to ensure that:

  • the person is informed that you wish to visit
  • the person in detention will be available at the time of your visit
  • you know the visiting hours
  • we can inform you of your roles and responsibilities before your visit
  • you can save time by completing your visits forms before you arrive
  • any items for which you need approval to bring into a centre can be assessed before you arrive.

If advance notice of your visit is not possible, every effort will be made to accommodate your needs.

Do I need to provide identification?

Yes. If you intend to visit:

  • Christmas Island Immigration Detention Centre
  • Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre
  • Northern Immigration Detention Centre
  • Perth Immigration Detention Centre
  • Villawood Immigration Detention Centre

and you are over the age of 18 you must provide two forms of identification:

  • one photographic item (such as a drivers licence, a valid passport, a professional or student identification)
    and
  • one item that shows your address details (such as a utilities bill).

Yes. If you intend to visit:

  • Perth Immigration Residential Housing
  • Sydney Immigration Residential Housing
  • Brisbane Immigration Transit Accommodation
  • Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation

and you are over the age of 18 you must provide:

  • one item of identification with a photograph such as a drivers licence, a valid passport, a professional or student identification
    or
  • two items of identification without photographs such as a credit card, council rates bill, telephone bill or another utility bill.

What happens if I am refused entry to a facility?

If you are refused entry to a facility, the reasons will be explained to you and you may respond. Detention service provider personnel will assist you if you wish to lodge a complaint.

Will I need to undergo security screening?

All visitors to an immigration detention centre are asked to undergo security screening to ensure that no item that might compromise welfare, safety and security is brought into a facility. The procedures are similar to those used at airports and may include the use of:

  • hand-held scanners (also known as ‘wands’)
  • walk-through devices
  • x-ray equipment.

You may be asked to remove an external item of clothing, such as a jacket, shoes or a hat or items from your pockets or bag. You may ask for this to be done in a private area.

You do not have to undergo security screening or explain your reason(s) for refusal. However, detention service provider personnel reserve the right to deny you entry, particularly if they have reasonable grounds for suspecting that you may possess an item not permitted in the facility.

Secure storage facilities are provide at the entrance to all immigration detention centres where you may securely store personal items that are not permitted inside the centres.

Visitors to immigration residential housing and immigration transit accommodation do not undergo security screening but you may be requested to present your bag for inspection; however you cannot be compelled to do so.

What items cannot be brought into an immigration detention facility?

Certain categories cannot be brought into immigration detention facilities and include:

  • items that are illegal under Australian law
  • items that present a risk to the health of people in detention, visitors or staff
  • items that present a risk to privacy, safety or security
  • items that may be offensive to others.

Can I bring food into an immigration detention facility?

Yes, although uncooked meat, fish and eggs are generally not allowed for health reasons unless you have prior approval by the Centre Manager. Only reasonable amounts of food for people in detention to cook or consume can be brought into the facility.

More information on what is not permitted in Immigration Detention Centres is available.
See: Items Not Permitted in Immigration Detention Centres

Can I temporarily store items that are not permitted in an immigration detention facility?

Yes. Items not permitted in an immigration detention facility may be stored in secure lockers during your visit. Items that are illegal under Australian law will be reported to the relevant law enforcement agencies, and may not be returned to you.

Facilities have limited areas to store property and people in detention are only able to keep a limited amount of items with them. People in immigration detention are provided with a range of personal items including bedding, soap and shampoo.

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