Legal Representatives and Registered Migration Agents

The provision of legal and immigration advice and assistance is an important service for people in immigration detention centres. Your support in assisting people in detention with this service is appreciated by the department.

In addition to the entry procedures applicable to all visitors to a centre, the process for your visit differs if you are the legal representative or migration agent of a person in detention.

Legal representatives and registered migration agents acting on behalf of clients and wishing to visit an immigration detention centre should provide a written request to the departmental manager of the centre at least 24 hours in advance of the visit, where possible.

This request is to include names of the lawyers, interpreters and paralegals requiring access.

Migration agents employed by providers who have been contracted by the department to provide application assistance to Irregular Maritime Arrivals under the Immigration Advice and Application Assistance Scheme (IAAAS) should in the first instance submit an electronic request to contact their client to the relevant Immigration Detention Facility (IDF).

If the request is urgent, the IAAAS provider should call the IDF or submit their request by fax. The Detention Service Provider or DIAC officer will then facilitate contact including a time, venue and TIS interpreter if required.

For the first visit legal representatives should provide:

• evidence that she or he is a solicitor or barrister of the High Court or Supreme Court of a state/territory and that she or he holds a current Practising Certificate
• a written statement that lawyers seeking entry to a centre are actually partners of the firm, employees of the firm, or barristers engaged by the firm to represent a person or people in detention
• a written statement that any paralegals are actually employed or engaged by the firm as paralegals
  and
• name/s of the person/people who requested legal consultation from the firm, with a signed authority to act from each of the listed people.
  Note: You will not have to provide these documents again. If your employment or client details change, the onus is on you to inform the department of the change.

If you require a room for your visit, you are strongly encouraged to arrange your visit prior to your arrival and to make a room booking. If you do not do so we cannot guarantee that a room will be available for you.

Migration Agents visiting for professional reasons must bring evidence of their migration agent registration.

Visitor's application

A completed Visitor's Application Form must be provided to the Detention Service Provider manager for access to a designated facility. The form can be posted or faxed prior to the visit.
See: Visiting an Immigration Detention Facility

Visiting hours

Visiting hours are different at each facility.
See: Contacting an Immigration Detention Facility

Conditions of entry

Visitors are required to observe particular requirements and the conditions of entry when visiting an immigration detention facility.
Visiting an Immigration Detention Facility