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The Australian Border Force (ABF) has arrested two people, seized digital devices and supported three child exploitation search warrant operations as part of a coordinated Australia and New Zealand operation targeting child sexual offending. The results demonstrate the critical role ABF officers and investigators play in protecting children from abuse and exploitation.
The operational activity was undertaken during the Australian and New Zealand Child Protection Working Group's National Week of Action (NWOA), from 30 August to 5 September 2026, bringing together law enforcement agencies to detect and disrupt child sexual offending and hold offenders to account.
The results are being highlighted during National Child Protection Week, held from 6 to 12 September, which this year carries the theme Every Conversation Matters, Shifting Conversation to Action.
ABF officers routinely target child abuse material, prohibited child-like sex dolls and other goods linked to child exploitation as part of their border protection duties. These activities help prevent harmful material from entering Australia and contribute to broader efforts to detect, disrupt and deter child exploitation offending
ABF officers and investigators worked alongside the Australian Federal Police and state and territory law enforcement partners during the NWOA, contributing to arrests, criminal charges, digital device seizures, investigative referrals and visa cancellations.
Operational highlights
- ABF officers in New South Wales arrested an Australian citizen after identifying approximately 100 videos of child abuse material (CAM) on a mobile device during a border examination. The individual was transferred to AFP custody and subsequently charged.
- ABF investigators in New South Wales arrested and charged a non-citizen after CAM was identified on a mobile phone during a border examination. The device was seized for further forensic examination.
- A traveller arriving in Sydney had their visa cancelled and was refused immigration clearance after ABF officers identified CAM on a mobile device during a digital device examination.
- ABF investigators supported Joint Agency Child Exploitation Taskforce operations in New South Wales and the Northern Territory, contributing to three separate search warrant activities targeting child exploitation offending. Those operations resulted in arrests, charges and the seizure of electronic devices.
- At Cairns International Airport, ABF officers detected CAM on a traveller's mobile device during a targeted examination, resulting in the person's arrest by law enforcement partners and the seizure of the device.
- At Melbourne Airport, intelligence-led examinations and digital forensic analysis resulted in CAM being identified on travellers' devices, with matters referred for further investigative action.
- At Perth Airport, ABF officers detected child abuse material on the device of a traveller attempting to depart Australia and referred to Australian Federal Police.
The ABF works closely with domestic and international partners to detect and disrupt child exploitation. These partnerships allow agencies to share intelligence and take coordinated action against offenders operating across jurisdictions and borders.
Quotes attributable to ABF Commander, Graeme Campbell
"ABF officers and investigators use intelligence-led targeting, digital examination capabilities and strong law enforcement partnerships to detect and disrupt child exploitation offending.
“The outcomes achieved during the NWOA demonstrate the breadth of work by ABF officers and investigators, from arrests and search warrant activity to the seizure of digital devices and immigration enforcement action.
"These results should serve as a warning to offenders. Law enforcement agencies are sharing intelligence and using sophisticated capabilities to identify those involved in child exploitation and hold them to account. When child abuse material is detected, agencies will take decisive action.
"National Child Protection Week reminds us that keeping children safe is everyone's responsibility. The ABF remains committed to working with our partners to protect children and prevent harm."
Anyone with information relating to child exploitation, child abuse material or abuse is encouraged to report it to police or Crime Stoppers.
Media contact: media@abf.gov.au
