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Managing Australia's Borders

Providing Gifts to People in Immigration Detention

Information provided here is designed to assist people in the community wanting to donate gifts to people in an immigration detention facility.

Gifts should be addressed to an individual. If a gift is not addressed to an individual it will be put in a communal area for use by everybody.

There are restrictions on the amount of personal property people in detention facilities can keep with them or place in storage. Therefore, you are advised to give gifts that are small and for the detained person's personal use. Check in advance whether the person to receive the gift has sufficient space available to retain the gift.

Suitable gifts

Gifts and items brought to immigration detention facilities must fit within the General Guidelines given below.

A list of suggested suitable gifts and instructions for posting gifts are available.
See:
Gifts List
Postal Gifts

A brochure with a comprehensive list of items not permitted within immigration detention facilities is available.
See: Items Not Permitted in Immigration Detention Facilities

General guidelines

The following guidelines must be followed:

  • read and comply with the list of items not permitted in immigration detention facilities.
    See: Items Not Permitted in Immigration Detention Facilities
  • send the gift unwrapped so it can be inspected. Staff will wrap the gift prior to distribution at the designated facility if you provide wrapping paper.