Bring items to an immigration detention facility
You must not attempt to bring items into an immigration detention facility which you are prohibited by an Australian law from possessing. Any prohibited items found on your person or in your possession will not be returned to you and will be referred to police.
You must not attempt to bring controlled items into an immigration detention facility. Controlled items are those which you may lawfully possess in Australia but which have been deemed to present a risk to the health, privacy, safety, security and/or good order of the immigration detention facility and are not permitted. This includes (but may not be limited to):
- flammable sprays, liquids and solids including cigarette lighters and matches
- sharps, including syringes, knives and razor blades
- glass items
- cameras and audio-visual recording devices and
- money, including cash, cheques and bank cards.
If you are in possession of these items when you arrive at an immigration detention facility, you must declare this to staff and store those items prior to your entry to the visitors’ area.
In limited circumstances, you may seek approval to bring certain items into an immigration detention facility with you. You must seek and be given approval prior to your scheduled visit. These items include:
- some food
- medication including non-prescription medication, vitamins or supplements
- mobile phones, laptops and recording devices (professional and official visitors only)
- items used in religious worship, such as sacramental wine, candles or other religious instruments (approved religious visitors only).
When seeking approval, you must specify quantities of items you are seeking to bring with you. Items without prior required approval will be refused entry.
If you are a contractor working within the facility, you are only permitted to bring tools and equipment into the facility that are required for the specific job being undertaken and with prior approval. For further information, refer to the Immigration Detention Facility Conditions of Entry.
If you have questions or concerns about bringing items into an immigration detention facility, please contact the facility before your visit.
Items that are not permitted in immigration detention facilities under any circumstance include:
- narcotics and illicit substances
- weapons
- pornographic books, magazines or material and
- material that incites violence, racism or hatred
All items, including food, entering an immigration detention facility is subject to security screening and inspection processes.
Food during visits
You may bring commercially packaged, labelled, non-perishable food into an immigration detention facility during a visit, including to share with detainees. Please ensure that the amount of food you bring is appropriate for the duration and intent of the visit. Any leftover food must be discarded or removed from the immigration detention facility by you at the end of your visit. Detainees cannot take leftover food with them.
Visitors may only bring food:
- that is commercially packaged in non-metal or glass packaging, and the packaging
- has a visible and valid expiry date
- has a prescribed name which is easily identifiable and
- complies with the Australian New Zealand Food Standards Code and is factory sealed and undamaged
- of a quantity appropriate for the duration and intent of the visit.
Homemade/home cooked meals, take-away food, perishable food and non-commercially packaged food, with the limited exception of Special Purpose Foods, are not allowed to be brought into an immigration detention facility.
Special Purpose Foods
Special Purpose Food includes birthday cakes and food processed or manufactured for consumption by infants and people with medical conditions (for example diabetes) that require altered and tailored food. It also includes prescribed medicines or any other products that are regulated as therapeutic goods or food.
In limited circumstances, you may seek approval to bring an appropriate quantity of Special Purpose Foods into an immigration detention facility with you. You must seek and be given approval prior to your scheduled visit. Items without prior approval will be refused.
We are unable to assist with heating or refrigerating food during the visit, therefore you should keep safe food handling practices in mind when choosing food to bring with you during the visit.
Some immigration detention facilities may at times have restrictions on food entering the facility and being consumed during visits to manage COVID‑19 risks. We implement any restrictions on advice from health officials. We review these restrictions regularly. If you are planning to visit an immigration detention facility, refer to the “Visit detention” section of this website for more information on the COVID-19 restrictions that may apply.
Sending food in the mail
Reasonable amounts of commercially packaged non-perishable food can be sent to detainees via the mail if the commercial packaging:
- is not made of glass or metal
- has a visible and valid expiry date
- has a prescribed name which is easily identifiable
- complies with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and
- is factory sealed and undamaged.
Storage space is limited within immigration detention facilities, with no refrigerated storage capability. Therefore, please be aware that perishable food and/or food items that present a safety, security or health risk may be either stored in detainee in-trust property, or destroyed when necessary.
All food arriving via mail is subject to security screening and inspection processes.
