BOAT TURNBACKS BY AUSTRALIA
Between 1 May 2022 - 31 Aug 2024, 20 boats carrying a total of around 394 people were intercepted at sea. The people were either transferred to Nauru or returned to their departure point.
Sources: Australian Border Force
Australia’s policy of intercepting and returning people seeking asylum, who arrive by boats, effectively started in 2001 after the Tampa incident:
Between 2001 and 2006, it was conducted under ‘Operation Relex I’ and ‘Operation Relex II’.
Between 2007 and 2013, no boats were turned back under the Labor Government.
2013: Prime Minister Tony Abbott announces ‘Operation Sovereign Borders’ as a “military-led response to combat people smuggling and protect [Australian] borders”.
Source: Refugee Council of Australia.
38 boats and 873 people (including 124 children)
Seeking asylum were returned under the Operation Sovereign Borders program between 2013 and 2021. The exact number is not available due to a 2013 government decision not to release ‘on-water’ operational information and gaps in operational updates.
Source: Refugee Council of Australia.
1,720
Asylum-seekers died on their way to Australia between 2000 and 2019, of whom 189 people died in Australian waters.
Source: Australian Border Deaths Database.
940
Approximate number of ‘irregular maritime arrivals’ voluntarily returned to their country of origin from Sept 2013 - Feb 2024.
Source: Operation Sovereign Borders.
55
Approximate number of ‘irregular maritime arrivals’ involuntarily returned to their country of origin from Sept 2013 - Feb 2024.
Source: Operation Sovereign Borders.
Statistics are updated regularly. Request an asylum statistic: info@asyluminsight.com.