Key Brief From Additional Estimates Hearing – IG-04 Regional Processing, Dated February 2025 ​

Written by Claude Haiku 4.5 from the extracted text on 28 Feb 2026. It can miss or misread redacted and scanned pages. Check the source before relying on it.

This February 2025 brief on regional processing within Operation Sovereign Borders outlines Australia's maritime people smuggling response framework. As of 31 December 2024, 93 unauthorised maritime arrivals (UMAs) were under regional processing in Nauru following a September 2021 Memorandum of Understanding. Between September 2023 and December 2024, 136 UMAs were transferred to Nauru, with peak transfers of 39 in February 2024 and 37 in June 2024. The brief reports 43 voluntary returns home and fewer than 5 UMAs in assisted voluntary return processes. Returns assistance is available for UMAs seeking repatriation. The Department claimed public interest immunity on questions regarding assisted voluntary return details and individual characteristics, citing national security and international relations concerns.