Media: link to CCTV footage here: Download
A Chinese national intending to study early childhood education in Australia had his visa cancelled by Australian Border Force (ABF) this week after officers found evidence of child abuse material on his mobile phone.
On 23 February 2026, the man arrived at Adelaide International Airport on a flight from China holding a student visa.
ABF officers selected the passenger for a baggage examination where it is alleged they found 21 videos deemed to be child abuse material, which is prohibited under Regulation 4A of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956.
The man was issued with a $660 infringement notice and his visa was cancelled, after which he was detained and removed from the country on the next available flight.
ABF Inspector Mark Vaughan said it was deeply concerning that a man planning to study early childhood education in Australia was found with such abhorrent material exploiting children on his phone.
“Tackling child abuse is an important part of the ABF''s role in protecting some of the most vulnerable people in our community – children - from individuals who carry this material across the border," Inspector Vaughan said.
“This kind of material has no place in Australian society and our officers are always on the lookout for these videos and images coming through our airports.
“We won't hesitate to utilise our powers to prosecute or remove from Australia persons associated with these vile activities who may pose a threat to our community."
Between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2025, ABF officers have stopped over 435 potential child sex offenders at airports around Australia. In the first two weeks of January 2026, 17 travellers were stopped with alleged child abuse material on their electronic devices, leading to visa cancellations and arrests.
Travellers who have had their visa cancelled may be subject to a re-entry ban of up to three years, or in some cases, permanently excluded.
Note to media:
USE OF TERM 'CHILD ABUSE' MATERIAL, NOT 'CHILD PORNOGRAPHY'
Use of the phrase "child pornography" benefits child sex abusers because it indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim and therefore legality on the part of the abuser; and conjures images of children posing in 'provocative' positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse.
Every photograph captures an actual situation where a child has been abused. This is not "pornography".
