• There are currently 455 people in immigration detention centres, of whom 184 are housed at the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre.

• There are currently 163 people in alternative detention arrangements and community detention.

• Of the 618 people in immigration detention:
  • 235 were detained as a result of compliance action – that is, overstaying their visa or breaching the conditions of their visa or having their visa cancelled
  • 62 were unauthorised air arrivals
  • 10 are illegal foreign fishers
  • 304 were unauthorised boat arrivals
  • 1 was an inadequately documented crew member
  • 6 were detained for other reasons (ship deserters, stowaways etc)
  • 319 have not applied for a protection visa
  • 129 are undergoing a refugee status assessment
  • 58 have been refused a protection visa
  • 112 have applied for protection visas, or a review of a decision in relation to their application for a protection visa.

• The majority of asylum seekers arrive in Australia with a valid visa and live in the community while they pursue their claims.

• There are no children in immigration detention centres.

Figures as at 1 May 2009.
For more information:www.immi.gov.au/managing-australias-borders/detention/about/index.htm