This statement provides an update on Operation Sovereign Borders (OSB) activities related to the reception and processing of unauthorised maritime arrivals (UMAs)*.
The reporting period is from 01 August 2024 to 31 August 2024.
During this reporting period:
- Australian authorities resolved one maritime people smuggling venture by the safe transfer of fewer than five UMAs to a regional processing country, consistent with Australia's long standing maritime people smuggling policies;
- No UMAs were transferred from Australia to a regional processing country, returning after a temporary purpose in Australia;
- No UMAs were transferred from a regional processing country to Australia for a temporary purpose or as accompanying family;
- Fewer than five UMAs voluntarily returned to their country of origin from a regional processing country;
- No UMAs were voluntarily removed to their country of origin from Australia and no UMAs were involuntarily removed to their country of origin from Australia;
- Twelve UMAs were resettled in a third country (12 from the cohort temporarily in Australia and none direct from Nauru).
The processing of UMA protection claims is a matter for the Government of Nauru.
*These statistics reference UMAs who arrived on or after 19 July 2013.
Media enquiries: abf@media.gov.au
