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Older

• Early 20th Century - small numbers of Russian, Greek, Armenian, Assyrian and Polish Jewish arrivals.
• 1938 - Australia's first formal agreement to resettle refugees - for 15,000 Jewish refugees from Europe; more than 5000 refugees arrived in 1939.Ìý
• 1940 - (1940) Cth
  
• 1945 - Department of Immigration (DI) established (13 Jul 1945) with Arthur Calwell as the first Minister for Immigration.
• 1946 - (1946) C^th.
• 1947 - formal resettlement programs commence.
• 1947 - Ìý(the forerunner to Translating and Interpreting (TIS) services).
• 1947-1954 - 170,000 Eastern Europeans displaced during World War II arrived - under a signed agreement with the International Refugee Organization, with an initial quota of 12,000 people per year planned.
• 1948 - (1948)ÌýC^th - creating the status of Australian citizen (prior to this, Australians were British subjects).
• 1948 - the Department of Immigration assumes control of the Adult Migrant English Programme (AMEP), and established the Migrant Workers Accomodation Division to administer migrant hostels, providing accomodation for up to 12 months after arrival.Ìý
• 1949 - first Australian citizenship ceremony (3 Feb 1949).
• 1950s - operating across all jurisdictions, helping new migrants with settlement. The program formally ceased in 1979, although branches still operate in South Australia and Launceston.
• 1951 -ÌýÌý- ratified by Australia in 1954.
• 1954 -ÌýAustralia ratifies the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.
• 1956-1957 - more than 14,000 Hungarian refugees arrive in Australia.
• 1958 - (1958) - coming into effect 1 Jan 1959 (replacing the Immigration Act), also abolishing the dictation test and changing entry processes.
• 1961 - Ìý- ratified by Australia in 1973.
• 1967 - Ìý- ratified by Australia in 1973.
  
• 1968 - Manus Island in Papua New Guinea (PNG) first utilised as a refugee processing centre by Australia (at this time both Papua and New Guinea were under Australian colonial rule) - with 'permissive residence' visas provided for a small number of West Papuans (West Irians) - see .
• 1968-1969 - more than 6000 Czechoslovakian refugees arrive in Australia after the invasion of Czechoslovakia by the Soviet Union.
  

1970sÌý

• 1972 -ÌýWhite Australia policy ends (Whitlam Government).
• 1972 -ÌýCommonwealth (C^th) delegated Guardianship of unattached refugee minors to State Welfare authorities.
• 1973 - Australia ratifies the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees.
• 1973 - Changes to citizenship criteria allowing all migrants to apply for citizenship after 3 years of residence.
• 1973 - The Department of Immigration establishes a Settlement Services Branch.
• 1973 - First amnesty to legalise migration status (Whitlam government) - 'Dispensation programme'.Ìý
• 1974 - Department of Immigration briefly disbanded - with visa functions assumed by the Department of Labour - becoming the Department of Labour and Immigration (DLI).
• 1975 -ÌýMedical screening clinic for refugees commenced at Fairfield Infectious Diseases Hospital.
• 1975 - Department of Immigration reformed by the incoming Fraser Government, becoming the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (DIEA).
• 1975 - Telephone Interpreting Services (TIS) established by the reformedÌýDepartment of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs.
• 1975 - Ìý(Whitlam Government).
• 1976 -ÌýFirst Migrant resource centre opened in Victoria (other references note the first 2 Multicultural resource centres opened in 1977).Ìý
• 1976 - Villawood Immigration Detention Centre (VIDC) opens in Sydney.
• 1976 - First annual review of the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs - later (1989) becoming the annual report.
• 1976 - Second amnesty to legalise migration status (Fraser government) - 'Dispensation programme'.Ìý
• 1976 - First boat of 5 Vietnamese asylum seekers arrives in Australia - over 1976-1981, 56 boats carrying more than 2000 Vietnamese asylum seekers arrived in Australia.Ìý
• 1977 -ÌýHumanitarian program commenced (Fraser Government).
  
• 1978 - Galbally report -Ìý . (Fraser Government).
• 1979 -ÌýAustralian Refugee Advisory Committee formed - and recommended creation of the Community Refugee Settlement Scheme, matching refugee entrants with communities, and supporting them with community volunteers. Migrant hostels were established as service hubs for refugee entrants, and the Migrant Projects Subsidy Scheme was established.
• 1979 - Points system introduced for other aspects of the Australian migration programme.

1980sÌý Ìý

• 1980 - Migration Act amended to allow Minister to grant an entry permit (repealed 1989).
• 1980 - Third amnesty - Regularisation of Status Program.
  
• 1981 -ÌýSpecial Humanitarian program (SHP) commenced (Fraser Government).
• 1983 -ÌýAustralian State Governments formed a Working Party on Refugee Children.
• 1984 - introduced.
• 1985 -ÌýC^th and State Governments formed an agreement - establishing specificÌýfunding for Refugee Minor Programs.
• 1985 - Access and equity strategies introduced (Hawke Government).
• 1986 -ÌýAustralian Health Ministers accepted a recommendation to consider standards for refugee health screening and the formation of a nationally coordinated data system.
• 1987 - Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs becomes theÌýDepartment of Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs (DILGEA).
• 1987 -ÌýÌýOffice of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) created within the Department of Premier and Cabinet (Hawke Government).
• 1988-1989 - Migration Programme divided into 3 streams - Family, Skilled and Humanitarian.
• 1989 -ÌýÌýdefining the need for valid entry permits, allowing the Minister to exempt people from holding an entry permit, and allowing discretionary detention of anyone considered to be an 'illegal entrant' (Hawke Government).Ìý
• 1989 - Annual reports for the Department of Immigration (at this time DILGEA) commence.
• 1989 - 'Women at risk' refugee visa category introducedÌý(Hawke Government).Ìý
• Late 1980s - Emergency rescue visa category introducedÌý(Hawke Government).Ìý
• 1989 - Australia joins theÌý .Ìý

1990s

• 1990 - Introduction of Temporary Entry Permits within the Refugee and Humanitarian categories (four years protection with facility to apply for permanentÌýprotection after this time) in the context of a large number of applicants for asylum after Tiananmen Square (ceases 1993).
• 1990 - New system for determining refugee status claims and Humanitarian stay - three tier process - primary stage for assessment and rapid decision, a review stage for negative assessments, and a process for Ministerial review.
  
• 1991 -ÌýSpecial Assistance CategoryÌý(SAC) introduced - assistance for people with close links to Australia who did not meet requirements of the Humanitarian or SHP programs. Initially used for East Timorese, Soviet minorities, citizens of former Yugoslavia, Burmese, Sri Lankan, and others. Overall there were 10 SAC, but the SAC ended by the early 2000s.ÌýÌý
• 1992 -ÌýAmendments to the Migration Act for mandatory immigration detention, with a 273 day limit on the period of detention (Keating Government).
• 1992 -ÌýImmigration Education Act (1971) amended allowing newlyÌýarrived migrants with less than 'functional English' Ìý- 510 hours of English tuition.
• 1992 - Jul - starts, later becoming part of Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS) in 2014.
• 1992 - Fairfield Migration Screening Clinic closes.
• 1993 -ÌýHumanitarian Program separated from the Migration Program (Keating Government).
• 1993 - Temporary Entry Permit system ends.
• 1993 -ÌýDepartment of Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs becomes the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (DIEA) (again).
• 1994 -ÌýAdditional legislative amendments widening the application of mandatory detention to all persons arriving without a visa, or those in Australia on an expired or cancelled visa and removal of the 273 day limit, and provisions that ‘unlawful non citizens’ can only be released from detention on granting visa, or on removal or deportation from Australia, introduction of bridging visas.
• 1994 -
• 1996 -ÌýDepartment of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs becomes theÌýDepartment of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA).
• 1996 -ÌýOffshore and onshore components of the Humanitarian programs linked, and introduction of quotas for offshore places (Howard Government).
• 1996 - 2003 - Minister for Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs - Philip Ruddock.
• 1999 - Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs) reintroduced (Howard Government).
  • Different settlement support entitlements to Permanent Protection Visa (PPV) holders.
  • No provision for family sponsorship.
  • No provision for re-entry after departing Australia.
    
• 1999 -ÌýSafe Haven visas (subclass 449) introduced to allow for entry and temporary stay in Australia in humanitarian crisis situations. These visas were initially used for people from Timor and Kosovo, they are used by invitation (people could not apply for these visas) - see relevant and notes in .

2000s

• 2000 -ÌýTemporary Humanitarian Concern visas (subclass 786) introduced (see ). This visa was introduced to allow Safe Haven visa (449) holders in need of ongoing medical attention to remain in Australia.Ìý
• 2001 -ÌýDepartment of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) becomes the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA).
• 2001 - (Aug) – .
• 2001 - Pacific solution (Howard Government).
  • Designation of Christmas Island, Ashmore and Cartier Islands and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands as ‘excised offshore places’ (see ).
  • People arriving via excised territories unable to make a protection visa application.
  • Provisions for those people intercepted at sea or arriving on an excised territory to be transferred to third countries for processing of their protection claims.
  • Offshore processing commences on Nauru, Manus Island and Christmas Island.
• 2003 - 2007 - Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs - ÌýAmanda Vanstone (replacing Philip Ruddock).
• 2004 - .
• 2005 - - community detention - children, families and people with special needs can be placed in detention in the community.
• 2005 - Palmer Report -
• 2005 - Comrie Inquiry (C^th Ombudsman) - .
• 2005 - Community detention introduced - amendments to the Migration Act to allow the Minister for Immigration to make a residence determination for a person in immigration detention.
• 2005 -ÌýCommunity Care Pilot established - later named the , then becoming part of SRSS in 2014.
• 2006 - Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) changes back into theÌýDepartment of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA).Ìý
• 2006 - - notes shift from criminal cancellations under s201 to s501 (character grounds).
• 2006 - C^th Ombudsman (own motion) .
• 2007 -ÌýDepartment of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) becomes theÌýDepartment of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
• 2007 - 2010 - Minister for Immigration and Citizenship - Chris Evans, replacing Amanda Vanstone.
• 2007 - Offshore processing ceasedÌý(Rudd Government).Ìý
• 2008 - Feb - the last asylum seekers on Nauru resettled in Australia - over 2001-08 - 1637 people detained in the Nauru and Manus facilities, 1153 (70%) found to be refugees, 61% resettled in Australia, others resettled in United States, Canada, Sweden and New Zealand.
• 2008 -ÌýTemporary protection visa system endsÌý (Rudd Government).

2010

Since 2010,Ìýsignificant humanitarian and asylum seeker source countries for Australia have been: Afghanistan, Burma, Iran, Iraq, and Sri Lanka.

• Jun 2010Ìý- Joint Standing Committee on Migration report .
• 24 Jun 2010 - Julia Gillard replaces Kevin Rudd as Prime Minister (PM)
• Sep 2010Ìý- 2013 - Minister for Immigration and Citizenship -ÌýChris Bowen, replacing Chris Evans.
• Oct 2010Ìý-ÌýTransfer of minors and families from immigration detention into community-based detention.
• Nov 2010 -Ìý allowing asylum seekers access to Australian courts for judicial review, regardless of place or means of arrival.

2011

• May 2011 - Australian Government announced the , where 800 boat arrival asylum seekers were to be removed to Malaysia and Australia agreed to accept 4000 UNHCR recognised refugees living in Malaysia.
• Aug 2011Ìý-Ìý Ìýprevented removal of asylum seekers to Malaysia. Minister's declaration of Malaysia as a suitable country for processing AS found to be invalid, also found unaccompanied minors cannot lawfully be taken from Australia without written consent of Minister under IGOC (1946).ÌýÌý
• Nov 2011Ìý- Increasing numbers of people (not just family groups) placed in community detention or on bridging visas after initial health, security, and identity checks in immigration detention ().

2012

• Mar 2012 -ÌýFindings of the released.
  • Single protection visa process implemented – ensuring all claims for protection are now assessed according to the refugee status determination process established by the Migration Act, regardless of the place or mode of arrival of the person lodging the claim.Ìý
• May 2012 -ÌýChris Bowen (then Minister for Immigration and Citizenship) announced Ìýin response to the 2010 report: .
• Jul 2012Ìý-Ìýchanges to health waiver process for offshore Humanitarian entrants (original documentation not available @Dec 2020, also see ).Ìý Ìý
• Aug 2012 -Ìýrelease of the Expert Panel Report see Ìýand .
• Sep 2012 -Ìý.Ìý
  • Irregular maritime arrivals (IMA) arriving after Aug 2013 not able to sponsor family members on Humanitarian visas. If granted status, able to sponsor family members on Family stream visas (usual costs apply) – as of 28 Sep 2012 (original media releases no longer available).
  • An increase in family stream visas - additional 4000 places per year.
  • IMA who arrived prior to 13 Aug 2012 – minors still able to sponsor family members on Humanitarian visas, although given lower priority than applicants sponsored by prior offshore Humanitarian arrivals, adults able to sponsor family members, but assessed against all criteria of 202 visa, and given lower priority than applicants sponsored by a minor.
• (from 13,750 to 20,000 people - later reduced to 13,750 by incoming Abbott Government in Sep 2013, reaching 18,750 people by 2018-19, then reducing to 13,750 again under the Morrison Government in Oct 2020).
• No advantage principle – people arriving as IMA will not have their claims processed more quickly than people claiming refugee status offshore (time for claim processing not stated - note the media releases for this are no longer available as of Dec 2020).
• (and ) after changes to the Migration Act, and the .
• Proposed changes to Australia’s migration zone, – new definition of unauthorised maritime arrival (person arriving by sea (not plane) regardless of arrival at excised offshore place or mainland).
• 14 Sep 2012 - First transfers of asylum seekers to Nauru offshore processing centre (Gillard Government) - Transfield (subsequently called Broadspectrum) providing garrison, IHMS providing healthcare, the Salvation Army providing welfare.
• Oct 2012 - .
• Nov 2012 - Lack of work rights for bridging visa holdersÌý(see: Chris Bowen: ‘No advantage onshore for boat arrivals’, (, 21 Nov 2012). See .
• 21 Nov 2012 - First transfers of asylum seekers to Manus Island offshore processing centre.

2013

2016

• 15 Jan 2016 - - review of the dismissal of Save the Children staff in Nauru in Oct 2014.
• 3 Feb 2016 - High Court M68 decision handed down - see , and .
• 8 Feb 2016 - .
• Feb 2016 - 'Let them stay' protest movement - see media reporting.
• Mar 2016 - RCOA report:Ìý
• 18 Mar 2016 - Fast track applicant status and children born in Australia - Children of people who arrived in Australia as UMAs born in the migration zone on or after 6 Nov 2013 and before 5 Dec 2014 considered to be fast track applicants - see .
• 21 Mar 2016 - Minister for Immigration granted special leave to appeal to High Court over the - see Ìýand later (Jul 2017) Ìýon associated legal costs.Ìý.
• 1 Apr 2016 - Last children released from mainland immigration detention - cohort of children and families who had spent time on Nauru - see .
• 15 Apr 2016 - Victorian government announces additional funding for legal support for refugees - see .
• 20 Apr 2016 - Broadspectrum acquired by Ferrovial.
• 25 Apr 2016 - PNG Supreme Court rules against detention of asylum seekers in Manus Island - see , and link to , Minister Dutton's Ìýand Aug 2017
• 27 Apr 2016 - Death of Omid Masoumali - (suicide) a 23 yr old refugee on Nauru self immolates, later dying 29 Apr in Brisbane - see and .
• 27 Apr 2016 - PNG PM Peter O'Neill announces the Manus Island detention centre will be closed.
• Apr 2016 - Death of asylum seeker Mohammad Nazari (suicide) - see .
• 2 May 2016 - Hodan - a young female refugee on Nauru also self immolates, see , also media on , and media on the .
• 5 May 2016 - Interim report . Subsequently to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee 12 Sep 2016.
• 6 May 2016 - DIBP releases a on Save the Children staff removed from Nauru in Oct 2014, also see Doogan report.
• 6 May 2016 - Federal Court decision (Bromberg): (complex medical needs/duty of care/termination of pregnancy).
• 11 May 2016 - Death of Rakib Khan (suspected suicide) in Nauru - see .
• 17 May 2016 - Minister Dutton comments on 'illiterate and inumerate refugees' attracting widespread .Ìý
• 27 May 2016 - Nauru legislative amendments - decriminalising suicide and homosexuality - see .
• Jun 2016 - Ìý - also see comments byÌý .
• Jun 2016 - Death of Mohammad Hadi - Hazara asylum seeker (suicide) in Sydney.
• Jul 2016 - Wickham Point detention centre closes - see .
• 27 Jul 2016 - (database breach) and subsequent (Jul 2017) on associated legal costs.ÌýÌý.
• Aug 2016 - Release of the Detention Capability Review (Connell).
• Aug 2016 - Death of Pakistani Kamil HussainÌý - drowns on Manus Island.
• 10 Aug 2016 - Guardian reporting on the - containing a large number of incident reports.
• 25 Aug 2016 - Delegation of Danish politicians to visit Nauru - see .
• 27 Aug 2016 - Death of Saeed Hassanloo (suicide) in Hobart - see Ìý(his brother, Majid Hassanloo dies in Jul 2017)
• 31 Aug 2016 - Victorian government announces $15M in support for vocational training and education for asylum seekers.
• 1 Sep 2016 - ANAO Audit released: .
  
• 1 Sep 2016 - Wilson security announces they will not continue past 2017 - see .Ìý
• ÌýSep 2016 - .
• 12 Sep 2016 - Senate Inquiry: . Referred to theÌýLegal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 Mar 2017. 11 and 15 Nov 2016, and 8 Feb 2017.
  
• 13 Sep 2016 - ANAO Audit:ÌýÌýalso see related .
• 14 Sep 2016 - Australian Human Rights Commission report released: .
• 15 Sep 2016 - Minister Dutton - at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
• 19 Sep 2016 - -Ìýaddressing largeÌý movements of refugees and migrants - see .
• 19 Sep 2016 - Reporting that Connect Settlement Services will cease on Nauru in Dec 2016 - see .
• 21 Sep 2016 - PM Turnbull announces Australia will take Central American refugees as part of the annual intake - see .
• 23 Sep 2016 - - Refugee and asylum seeker health and wellbeing.
• 30 Sep 2016 - UN Committee on the Rights of the Child examines .
• 1 Oct 2016 - .
• 13 Oct 2016 - Announcement of C^th Procurement Inquiry -Ìý Ìý- see .
• 17 Oct 2016 - DIBP Child Safeguarding Framework released.
• 17 Oct 2016 - Release of .
• 18 Oct 2016 - .
• 27 Oct 2016 - SHEV visa arrangements expanded to include Victoria, SA, WA, ACT and Queensland,Ìýlist of .
• 8 Nov 2016 - , subsequent opposed by ALP (see ).
• 1-18 Nov 2016 - UN Special Rapporteur on Migrants - see .
  
• 11-15 Nov 2016 -Ìý Ìýof , also see .
• 13 Nov 2016 - Announcement of resettlement in the United States for refugees on Nauru and Manus - , , , and reporting on associated , , and .
• 20 Nov 2016 - Death of 38 yr old female asylum seeker Fereshteh (suicide) in Perth.
• Dec 2016 - C^th Ombudsman (own motion) report - .
• Dec 2016 -ÌýC^th Ombudsman (own motion) report - .
• Dec 2016 - Australian Parliamentary Library - .
• 16 Dec 2016 - also see .
• 16 Dec 2016 - Federal Court judgement:Ìý (delay in citizenship processing).
• 24 Dec 2016 - Death of Faysal Ishak Ahmed in Manus Island detention centre - see , media reporting , and . Referred to the Ìýand Queensland Coroner. . .
• 31 Dec 2016 - .

2017

• 17 Jan 2017 - See Ìýand related .
• 27 Jan 2017 - US Executive Order on Immigration - see . Key details - halts all refugee arrivals for 120 days; caps the US refugee intake at 50,000 (previously 110,000 in 2016); halts entry from seven (Muslim majority) countries (Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Iran, Somalia, Libya, and Yemen ) for 90 days, and halts the entry of refugees from Syria indefinitely - see , and (31 Jan 2017).
• 29 Jan 2017 - Confirmation US resettlement deal will proceed - see Ìýand between PM Turnbull and President Trump (3 Aug 2017).
• Feb 2017 - Dengue outbreak on Nauru - Government of Nauru reports 901 cases over Jan - Mar 2017, including 70 cases in the refugee community.
• 1 Feb 2017 - First reporting of numbers in US resettlement deal - 1250 people - see Ìýand .
• 2 Feb 2017 - US resettlement details unclear after conversation between US President Trump and Australian PM TurnbullÌý- see Ìýand .
• 8 Feb 2017 - ÌýofÌý Ìýalso see .
• 8 Feb 2017 - Victorian Supreme Court judgement (child protection and immigration detention):Ìý, also see .
• 14 Feb 2017 - Stanford Law School - .
• 27 Feb 2017 - Ìý(also see ).
  
• 8 Mar 2017 - Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse - . See - Dec 2017 ().
• 14-20 Mar 2017 - Ìýof , also see .
• 24 Mar 2017 - Ìý(also seeÌý ).
• 27 Mar 2017 - (claim of negligence against the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection relating to Christmas Island, will proceed as an individual claim) - subsequent out of court settlement for lead claimant - see Ìýand Jul 2017 .
• 31 Mar 2017Ìý- IHMS depart Manus Island with concerns around licensing - see .
• 9 Apr 2017 - Minister Peter Dutton announces
• 14 Apr 2017 - Violence at Manus Island detention centre - see .
• 24 Apr 2017 - .
• 26 Apr 2017 - Out of court settlement for a child asylum seeker claiming inadequate care - see .
• May 2017 - Initial steps to close Manus Island detention centre - see .
• 3 May 2017 - that the Constitution allows detention of asylum seekers transferred from offshore detention to Australia.
• 9 May 2017 - Federal Budget - see .
• 19 May 2017 - that Nauru had offered accomodation to asylum seekers on Manus Island.
• 21 May 2017 - Minister Peter Dutton - announcesÌýdeadline for legacy caseload to submit protection claims by 1 Oct 2017 - see , subsequently, .
• 22-23 May 2017 - .
• Jun 2017 - sign a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Nauru - subsequently commencing work in Nauru in Nov 2017, and being asked to leave by the Government of Nauru in Oct 2018.Ìý
• 13 Jun 2017- .
• 14 Jun 2017 -Ìý Ìý- $70 million settlement announced.
• 15 Jun 2017 -ÌýAustralian Citizenship Legislation AmendmentÌý.
• 16 Jun 2017 - Settlement of negligence claims in case relating to 5-year old child ().
• 3 Jul 2017 - Death of Majid Hassanloo - Iranian asylum seeker in NSW - brother of , who died (suicide) in Aug 2016 - see Ìý(Feb 2022)
• 5 Jul 2017 - on two Australian citizens in immigration detention.
• 12 Jul 2017 - US reaches annual (reduced) refugee entrant cap (50,000 people; previously 110,000/year) - see . Subsequently reduces to 18,000 people/year from 2019.
• 17 Jul 2017 - .
• 18 Jul 2017Ìý- Announcement of Department of Home Affairs (DHA)Ìý- merging DIBP, ABF, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (ATRAC) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) - see .
• 24 Jul 2017 - .
• 31 Jul 2017 - 17 Cuban people arriving to the US by boat are resettled in Australia - see .
• 3 Aug 2017 - .Ìý
• 7 Aug 2017 - Death of Hamid Shamshiripour (suicide) on Manus Island - see .
• 9 Aug 2017 -Ìý , also see .Ìý
• 17 Aug 2017 - Unsuccessful appeal against injunction preventing removal of mobile phones in detention (Federal Court) - see .
• 17 Aug 2017 - High Court ruling - Manus Island detention not invalid or precluded under the Constitution by reason of the - see .
• 17 Aug 2017 - Changes to claims process for people affected by the Feb 2014 DIBP data breach Ìý- also see .
• 27 Aug 2017 - Final Departure Bridging Visa E (FD-BVE) - Announcement that 100 asylum seekers transferred from Regional Processing Centres to Australia for medical care would be provided with a 'final departure Bridging visa E', with immediate loss of income support, loss of housing after 3 weeks, and expectation of return to the RCP or their countries of origin - see , , Victorian .
• 9 Sep 2017 - Victorian government announces financial support for individuals affected by the FD-BVE - see .
• 14 Sep 2017 - Draft Ìýintroduced.
  
• 27 Sep 2017 - The first 52 refugees depart RPCs for the US - see .
• 1 Oct 2017 - Deadline for individuals in legacy caseload to submit protection claims - .
• 2 Oct 2017 -Ìý Death of Rajeev Rajendran (suicide) on Manus island in Lorengau hospital - see .
• Oct 2017 - Transition to new Humanitarian Settlement ProgramÌýmodel in Department of Social Services (DSS) - settlement services transferred back to DHA May 2019 after re-election of the Morrison government.
• 16 Oct 2017 - .
• 23 Oct 2017 - - includes discussion on departure of Dr John Brayley, Canstruct taking on Welfare and Garrison on Nauru, and IHMS contracts on Manus Island extended until end Feb 2018.
• 31 Oct 2017 - (planned) closure of Manus Island detention centre - withdrawal of services (water/electricity) and ABF/Broadspectrum staff and transition to other accommodation - 600 men remain within centre, , and .
• 31 Oct 2017 - .
• Nov 2017 - MSF begin work in Nauru - providing mental health care, subsequently being asked to leave by the Government of Nauru in Oct 2018.Ìý
• 3 Nov 2017 - Death ofÌý29 year old Bengali asylum seeker - motor vehicle accident on Nauru - see .
  
• 5 Nov 2017 - Meeting between the PMs of Australia and NZ - Ìýthat Australia declines NZ offer to resettle 150 refugees from offshore processing.
• 13 Nov 2017 -
• 27 Nov 2017 -
• Nov 2017 - SRSS payments stopped for asylum seekers found to have sent money overseas while on SRSS.
• Dec 2017 - Ìý- see .
• 4 Dec 2017 - Greens motion to accept the NZ resettlement offer passes, prior to failing at a re-run - see .
• 5 Dec 2017 - Senate disallows .Ìý
• 12 Dec 2017 - Letter from RANZCP, RACGP and RACP on healthcare for refugees and asylum seekers on Manus Island - see .
• 15 Dec 2017 - Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse - tabled, also ().
• 21 Dec 2017 - (DHA)Ìýcommences- incorporating DIBP, ABF, AFP, ASIO,Ìý AUSTRAC, ACIC, national security, emergency management/criminal justice from the Attorney-General's Department; Office of Transport Security from the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development; multicultural affairs from the DSS; and the counter-terrorism coordination and cyber security policy functions from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.Ìý
• 21 Dec 2017 - Australia ratifies OPCAT - Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture, C^th Ombudsman's Office subsequently appointed as the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) body for C^th places of detention (1 Jul 2018).

• 31 Dec 2017 - AllÌýÌýagain, related to the designation of non-citizen Medicare under the Health Insurance Act (renewed end 2014 for 3 years, which expired).

2018

• Jan 2018 - Second groups of refugees leave Manus (58 men) and Nauru (130 people) for US settlement - see .
• 31 Jan 2018 - Nauru 50th anniversary of independence - announcement of Constitution Amendment Bill (2018) - to establish a Nauruan appellate court and remove the Australian High Court as the final Court for appeals in the Nauruan system.
• 9 Feb 2018 - Child transfer - Federal Court for transfer of a child from Nauru to Australia (Vic).
• 14 Feb 2018 - .
• 15 Feb 2018 -Ìý .
• 12 Mar 2018 - Child transfer: Federal Court for transfer of a 10 year old boy from Nauru to Australia (NSW).
• 12 Mar 2018 - Movement of Tamil family on FDBVE into detention attracts .
  
• 26 Mar 2018 - Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) .
• 14 Apr 2018Ìý - Application for Federal Court injunction averted through medical transfer of a child from Nauru to Australia (see ).
• 18 Apr 2018 - Reporting that a further 50 refugees have been approved for US settlement ().
• 18 Apr 2018 - High Court upholds the Fast Track Assessment Process - .
  
• May 2018 - confirm 494 people transferred from Nauru or Manus for medical care (including 31 children) with 322 accompanying family members (over the period 2012/13 FY - 2016/17 FY). Subsequent reporting - 244 minors in Australia from Nauru.Ìý
• 15 May 2018 - Death of Salim, Rohingyan refugee in Manus (suspected suicide) - see .
• 21-23 May 2018 - .
• 29 May 2018 - fourth group of 18 refugees transferred from Manus to the US ().
• 6 Jun 2018 - ANAO Audit: .
  
• 15 Jun 2018 - Death of Fariborz Karami in Nauru (suicide) - see , his body was transferred to Australia .
• 20 Jun 2018 - introduced - retrospectively authorising Ashmore Reef as a port (relevant to migration zone excisions) - also see .
• 19 Jun 2018 - A further (total of 292 refugees transferred from Manus to US at the time)Ìýhowever ÌýreportsÌý163 refugees transferred from Manus to US to dateÌý- reasons for discrepancy not clear).
• 20 Jun 2018 - UN Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention - .
• 22 Jun 2018 - Federal Court rules that asylum seekers can access mobile phones in immigration detention.
• 29 Jun 2018 - 63 yr old Afghan refugee transferred from Nauru to Australia for palliative care - see , , .
• 1 Jul 2018 -ÌýC^th Ombudsman's Office appointment as the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) body for C^th places of detention
• Jul 2018 - Dr Parbodh Gogna appointed as the new Chief Medical Officer/Surgeon General for DHA/ABF.
• 3 Jul 2018 - Child transfer - Court order that 2 yr old with encephalitis be transferred to Australia (born Nauru, transferred to PNG for care) - see . Later (3 Nov 2023) -ÌýÌý- Federal Court approves settlement in this case.
• 8 Jul 2018 - A further 22 refugees transferred from Nauru to the US - see .
• 13 Jul 2018 - Child transfer - Court orders that mother and son be transferred from Nauru to Australia - see .
• 30 Jul 2018 - Queensland Coroner - .
• Aug 2018 - Increasing numbers of seriously unwell children transferred from Nauru to Australia - see media: , .
• 3 Aug 2018 - , (includes total of 371 refugees transferred from Nauru to US to date - however inÌýÌýDHA reportedÌý276 refugees transferred from Nauru to US to date - reasons for discrepancy not clear.
• 20 Aug 2018 - that New Zealand had made a direct offer to Nauru to resettle refugees (which was not taken up).
• 21 Aug 2018 - Minister Peter Dutton challenges for leadership of the Liberal Party, then resigns - see .
• 23 Aug 2018 - Senate Inquiry -
• 23 Aug 2018 - Reports that a .
• 24 Aug 2018 - Scott Morrison replaces Malcolm Turnbull as PM.
  
• 26 Aug 2018 - Separation of Immigration portfolio from the DHA (Minister Peter Dutton)- forming the newÌýDepartment of Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, with the announcement of the newÌý . After the May 2019 re-election of the Morrison government, Minister Coleman sits within DHA.Ìý
• 29 Aug 2018 - Death of Tamil asylum seeker (suicide) in Logan - see .
• 2 Sep 2018 - Fires at Yongah Hill IDC - see .
• 6 Sep 2018 - Death of Saruuan Aljhelie (suicide) Yongah Hill IDC - see , and later on subsequent inquest (Oct 2021) and Ìý(note spelling Sarwan Al Jhelie)
• Early Sep 2018 - Australian injunction for medical transfer blocked by Nauru government - see .
• 10 Sep 2018 - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights - .
• Oct 2018 - increasing medical transfers from Nauru, particularly children, increasing number Federal Court injunctions for medical care in Australia, increasing public debate - seeÌý .
• 4 Oct 2018 - Christmas Island detention centre closes - see , later re-opens in Mar 2019, with a plan for closure in Jul 2019. Opens again 2020, and 2023.
• 5 Oct 2018 - by Nauru government - see information on Ìýand subsequent .
• 15 Oct 2018 - Labour considers private members bill around medical transfers from Nauru - see .
• 16 Oct 2018 - PM Scott Morrison indicates possibility of resettlement in New Zealand for refugees in Nauru - pending legislation to prevent subsequent entry to Australia - see .
• 16 Oct 2018 - on case brought to the UN around family separation.Ìý
• 16 Oct 2018 - 17 refugees leave Manus for the United States - see .
• 17 Oct 2018 - IHMS senior doctor deported from Nauru - see .
• 20 Oct 2018 - - increasing debate and discussion on offshore processing.
• 22 Oct 2018 - Ìý- 652 people on island, including 52 children; 541 refugees, 23 failed asylum seekers, and 88 people still in the refugee status determination process, with a total 107 family units. Noted thatÌý276 people have resettled in the United States (fewer than reported in previous Estimates hearing).
• 23 Oct 2018 - .
• 26 Oct 2018 - DHA challenges the legal authority of the federal court jurisdiction around injunctions.
• Oct 2018 - Deloitte Access Economics report Regional Futures, .
• 1 Nov 2018 - Announcement that all refugee and asylum seeker children in Nauru would be brought to Australia - see Ìý(reporting indicates 40 children remaining in Nauru andÌý244 minors in Australia from Nauru) andÌý .Ìý
• 21 Nov 2018 - Announcement that Australia will not sign the - see .
• 3 Dec 2018 - Medecins Sans Frontieres release report on offshore processing in Nauru - .
• 3 Dec 2018 - (Phelps/Wilkie).
• 6 Dec 2018 - Senate passes provisions in the Migration Amendment Bill 2018, but delays in the Senate prevent the Bill going to the lower House on the last sitting day.
• 14 Dec 2018 - Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet announces an independent review of Ìý- see . Ìý released 22 Nov 2019, with .Ìý
• End Dec 2018 - Maribyrnong IDC closes after more than 30 years - see .

2019

• 25 Jan 2019 - Death of a male detainee, Moses Kellie, in Villawood IDC - see .
• 2 Feb 2019 - last remaining transferred children on Nauru leave to settle in the USÌý-Ìýsee .
• 4 Feb 2019 - PM Scott Morrison announces a new independent medical review panel to oversee transfers of asylum seekers from regional processing centres (see ).
• 13 Feb 2019-Ìý Ìý(amendments to the Migration Act (1958)) - passes both Houses of Parliament, establishing the Independent Health Advice Panel (IHAP), and provisions around medical transfers from Nauru and Manus Island.
• 19 Feb 2019 - Nauru announces a new Medical Referrals Compliance Committee, with Ìýindicating transfers will not be permitted where assessment has been completed remotely by an overseas-based doctor.
• Mar 2019 - ANAO audit - - examining contracts on Manus and Nauru.
• 1 Mar 2019 - (amendments to the Migration Act (1958)) - receives assent (by 26 Aug 2019 there had been 110 medical transfers).
• 4 Mar 2019 - Death of 25 yr old Iraqi male Milad Aljaberi in Villawood IDC - suspected suicide - see .
• 6 Mar 2019 - Christmas Island detention centre reopens - see Ìýwith later announcements of a plan for closure in Jul 2019.
• 26 Mar 2019 -Ìý introduced - meaning all current or former TPV/SHEV holders who apply for a subsequent protection order from 2 Apr 2019 will be processed under the same fast track application process.
• 31 Mar 2019 - FirstÌý tabled (required under Medevac legislation) - see .
• 2 Apr 2019 - .
• 4-8 Apr 2019 - .
• 18 May 2019 - Australian federal election - with re-election of the Coalition government.
  • Minister David Coleman becomes theÌý after the re-election of the Morrison Government.
  • Settlement services moves back to DHA (from DSS - from 2013, previously DIAC).
  • Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) - moves back to DHA (from Department of Employment - from 2013, also previously DIAC).
• 23 May 2019 - Australian Airforce and Sri Lankan Navy find and intercept Sri Lankan asylum seekers at sea, to be the second boat in recent weeks.
• Jun 2019 -Ìý531 refugees have been resettled in the United States from Nauru and Manus.
• 10 Jun 2019 - A Somali man attempted immolation on Manus, with reports of more than 70 suicide attempts in the weeks following the Australian federal election (see )
• 30 Jun 2019 - 2nd (required under Medevac legislation) - also see .
• 4 Jul 2019 -Ìý introduced, and referred to the Ìý- see .
• 4 Jul 2019 -Ìý introduced, and referred to the Ìý- see .
  
• 13 Jul 2019 - Death of a 23 yr old Abdul Aziz (Afghani asylum seeker) at MITA - see .
• 25 Jul 2019 - Medevac repeal( ) passes within House of Representatives, subsequently referred to , with in Oct 2019.Ìý Of 94 public submissions to the Inquiry, only 2 (DHA and IHMS) in favour of repealing the legislation. Bill subsequently passes 4 Dec 2019.Ìý
• Aug 2019 - Remaining refugees in Manus offered transfer to Port Moresby - see , at the same time, asylum seekers moved from Manus to Bomana Immigration Centre in Port Moresby - see .
• 22 Aug 2019 - 619 refugees resettled in the United States, including from 330 from Nauru and 279 from Manus.
• 24 Aug 2019 - Death of an Iranian Kurdish asylum seeker by suicide (see ).
• 28 Aug 2019 - Ìýallowing cases pertaining to transitory persons sent to Nauru under offshore processing agreements to be heard by the full Federal Court (allowing for subsequent compensation claims against the Cth). Subsequent allowing appeals from Federal Court judgements concerning the application of s494AB of the Migration Act.
• 29 Aug 2019 - Tamil family from Biloela flown to Christmas Island after an injunction halted deportation to Sri Lanka - see Ìýincluding timeline of legal appeals.
• Sep 2019 - Shift in US resettlement policy for refugees who have been on Nauru or Manus, with people able to apply directly from Australia (deadline for application 20 Sep 2019) - see Ìý(including information sheet) and .
• 11 Sep 2019 - tabled - see media. Full report not available.
• 13 Sep 2019 - on the and the
• 28 Sep 2019 - Refugee Council of AustraliaÌý - .
• 30 Sep 2019 - Ìý(and response).
• Oct 2019 - . Committee recommended that Senate pass the Bill repealing the Medevac legislation. Of 94 public submissions to the Inquiry, only two (DHA and IHMS) in favour of repealing the legislation. Five Medical Colleges and AMA contributed submissions.
• 15 Oct 2019 - Death of asylum seeker Dr Sayed Mirwais Rohani by suicide in Brisbane after medical transfer from Manus Island in 2017 - see .
• 21-22 Oct 2019 - . At this time there were 341 notifications under the Medevac legislation, of which 293 were found to be valid applications, and 135 had been transferred to Australia.
• 23 Oct 2019 - Australian Human Rights Commission report: .
• 2 Nov 2019 - .
• 3 Nov 2019 - Ìýon option of private sponsorship of refugees to Canada.Ìý
• Nov 2019 - American refugee intake reduced further - to 18,000 people in 2020 - see .
• 22 Nov 2019- 'Shergold report' released - - also .
• 29 Nov 2019 - the appointment ofÌýa C^th Coordinator-General for Migrant Services within DHA, and increased regional settlement - to 50% by 2022
• 4 Dec 2019 - 'Medevac' repealed - by theÌý , after passing the Senate, with the vote resting on independent Senator Jacquie Lambie (see , and ).
• 12 Dec 2019 - .
• 13 Dec 2019 -Ìý replaces David Coleman as A/g Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs.
• 18 Dec 2019 - DHA figures - (see ).Ìý
  • Manus - 196 people remaining in Manus (179 refugees, 17 failed asylum seekers), 254 people in Australia (medical transfers), and 322 people departed for 3rd country resettlement (310 to US).
  • Nauru - 252 people remaining in Nauru - 195 refugees, 38 in RSD process, 19 failed asylum seekers), 941 people in Australia and 2 in Taiwan (medical transfers), and 366 people departed for 3rd country resettlement (353 to US).
  • Offshore removals and returns - 2016-17 - 62 voluntary, 4 involuntary; 2017-18 - 95 voluntary, 14 involuntary; 2018-19 - 11 voluntary, 0 involuntary, 2019-20 (until end 11/2019) 5 voluntary, 0 involuntary.
• 2019 - Australian Human Rights Commission report:Ìý (released 3 Dec 2020).
  

2020

• Jan 2020 - Interviews for US settlement for refugees in Australia as medical transfers who spent time in Manus in Nauru.
• 24 Jan 2020 - Last 18 men held in Bomana Immigration Centre released - see .
• 11 Feb 2020 - .
• 13 Feb 2020 - - also see and .
• 13 Feb 2020 - .
• 17 Feb 2020 - C^th Ombudsman releases report: .
• 25 Feb 2020 - Court hearings in Melbourne on Tamil family from Biloela - see .
• 2 Mar 2020 - - 702 refugees have been resettled in the US from Manus and Nauru, and a further 260 people have a provisional positive decision on US settlement, some located in Australia. At this time there were 228 men remaining in PNG and 211 remaining in Nauru (439 people in offshore processing, and 1220 from the offshore cohort in Australia).
  • Subsequent Ìý- 4183 people (IMA) transferred to regional processing since Sep 2012; 2063 in Australia, 230 PNG, 211 Nauru, 719 resettled in 3rd country and 942 returned to their country of origin.
• 11 Mar 2020 – WHO declares Coronavirus pandemic.
• 16 Mar 2020 –Ìý IOM and UNHCR suspend resettlement travel for refugees see . People with a 202 visa may still travel to Australia pending flight availability, quarantine applied to international arrivals.
• 18 Mar 2020 - Guard at Kangaroo Point APOD in Qld tests positive for coronavirus - see .
• 24 Mar 2020 – Australian Immigration .Ìý
• 31 Mar 2020 – OHCHR, IOM, UNHCR and WHO joint press release -Ìý .
• 31 Mar 2020 –Ìý , later revised Jun 2020 and Aug 2020.
• 6 Apr 2020 -
• 17 Apr 2020 - Federal Court rules youngest child of the Tamil family from Biloela was not afforded procedural fairness - see , .
• May 2020 - Media , and Ìý- transferred under Medevac legislation - ongoing protests at their detention, and increased risk due to coronavirus.
• 3 May 2020 - death of - 41 yr old Iranian asylum seeker whose protection application was rejected.Ìý
• 6 May 2020 - .
• 6 May 2020 - RCOA .
• 14 May 2020 - Ìý- then referred to (report due 5 Aug 2020) - also see . Bill was not passed in the Senate after opposition by Senator Jacqui Lambie (who held the deciding vote) in Oct 2020.
• 18 May 2020 - ANAO Audit - Ìý- noting a cost to date of $7.1 billion dollars for regional processing arrangements.
• 21 May 2020 - 35 refugees leave Manus, and 7 people from the offshore cohort depart from Australia for the US - see .
• 3 Jun 2020 - Ìý- also see , Assistant High Commissioner for Protection.
• 11 Jun 2020 - a further 28 refugees leave Manus and Nauru for the US - see .
• 18 Jun 2020 - .
• 18 Jul 2020 - death of 36 yr old Tamil man by suicide
• 4 Aug 2020 - DHA announces Christmas Island detention centre will be reopened (taking up to 250 people for 6m, at a cost of $55M - initially those in YHIDC in WA allowing transfers of people in detention in Victoria and NSW to YHIDC) - see .
• 10 Aug 2020 - death of Daniel Harvey in detention in Melbourne (MITA), 46 yr old from New Zealand - see .
• 31 Aug 2020 -Ìý822 refugees (378 from Nauru, 377 from PNG and 67 medical transfers (from Australia)) have resettled in the US, with 180 people left in Nauru and 170 in PNG - .
• 2 Sep 2020 -Ìý Ìýpasses the lower House. Subsequent Ìý(2 Oct. 2020) indicated Sen Jacquie Lambie would not support the Bill in the Senate, and the Bill did not pass.Ìý
• 21 Sep 2020 - DHA start transitioning individuals in community detention who have not engaged in the US resettlement process on to final departure BVE in Qld, NSW and SA. Process in Victoria amended due to coronavirus situation, with different provisions for families.ÌýÌý
• Sep 2020 - at least 24 refugees transferred from Nauru to Australia for medical care - see .
• 6 Oct 2020 - Federal Budget - announcements on 2020-21 Humanitarian intake reducing to 13,750 people again. Other measures include reduction in funding for asylum seeker supports (to < $20M - previously around $140M in 2017-18); allocation of $1.19B to offshore processing and $55M to fund the Christmas Island detention centre.Ìý
• 19 Oct 2020 - Senate Estimates - Legal and Constitutional Affairs - DHA - see and . Relevant numbers:
  • 870 individuals resettled in the US -Ìý from Manus (405),ÌýNauru (387) and cohorts transferred to Australia (78); with a further 260 individuals approved to resettle (20 from PNG, 30 from Nauru and 220 from Australia).
  • 1226 people in Australia who had been sent to Nauru/PNG.
  • Returns and assisted voluntary returns - 644 from PNG and 111 from Nauru since 2012.
  • 145 people remaining in Nauru (107 refugees, 23 in an ongoing RSD process and 16 with negative decision) and 145 men remaining in Manus (101 refugees and 44 with negative decision).
• 19 Nov 2020 - cost of bringing a migration case to the Federal Circuit Court increased (from $690 to $3330) - see .
• 25 Nov 2020 - Secretary Michael Pezzullo - .
• 2 Dec 2020 - Ìýsupporting the C^th Government's appeal in 4 cases in asylum seeker children alleging that the C^th breached a duty of care in relation to medical services in offshore detention. The High Court held unanimously that the Migration Act (1958) does not take away the jurisdiction of other courts (Federal and State Courts) to hear such proceedings.
• 3 Dec 2020 - Australian Human Rights Commission report: Ìý- also .
  
• 10 Dec 2020 - Ìýintroduced
• 12 Dec 2020 - first refugees transferred under Medevac released from APODs - see .
• 12 Dec 2020 - death ofÌýMuhammad Hafizuddin bin Zaini in VIDC - see .
• 17 Dec 2020 - more than 60 men in detention in the Mantra hotel in Preston transferred to another hotel in Carlton, Melbourne - see .
• 22 Dec 2020 -Ìý replaces Alan Tudge (A/g for David Coleman) as Minister forÌýImmigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs.
• Dec 2020 - escalating conflict in the Tigray region - see

2021

• 1 Feb 2021 - Ìý- federal government subsequently announces visa extension for Myanmar nationals in May 2021.
• 4 Feb 2021 -Ìý referred toÌýto the
• 16 Feb 2021 - Federal Court upholds its previous decision related to youngest child in Biloela family - see .
• 22 Feb 2021 -Ìý introduced (private, Wilkie).
• 1 Mar 2021 - Medevac refugees released from APODs in Brisbane, Darwin and Sydney - see .
• Mar 2021 - Report on the findings of theÌýÌý(CSP).
• Mar 2021 - Dr Deon Gouws appointed as Chief Medical Officer DHA (leaves Oct 2022)
• 22 Mar 2021- - As of 14 Mar 2021 -Ìý110 people remain on Nauru and 130 men in PNG, 929 individuals already resettled in the US - from Nauru (391) PNG (419) and cohorts transferred to Australia (119). Further 265 people provisionally approved to resettle (15 Nauru, 10 PNG, 240 from Australia), and 1223 'transitory persons' in Australia
  
• 30 Mar 2021 - becomes the Minister for Home Affairs, with Peter Dutton moving to the Defence portfolio.
• 4 May 2021 - with relevance to individuals who arrived on Ashmore Reef and were granted a Temporary Safe Haven visa - see
• 5 May 2021 - Minister Alex Hawke announces visa extension for Myanmar nationals after the military coup d'etat in Feb 2021 - see release andÌý.
• 6 May 2021 - PM Scott Morrison secretly appointed to become joint Minister for Home Affairs, reported to be without the knowledge of the Minister for Home Affairs (Karen Andrews) - this information did not emerge publicly until 15 Aug 2022. See .
• 11 May 2021 - , also see Ìýand of the impact on refugees.
• 12 May 2021 -Ìý introduced.
• 21 May 2021 - on Canadian sponsorship for 144 people in Nauru, PNG or onshore detention and their family members.
• 24 May 2021 -Ìý passes the Senate - also see .
• 24-25 May 2021 - - As of 30 Apr 2021 -Ìý109 people remain on Nauru and 130 men in PNG,Ìý940 individuals already resettled in the US - from Nauru (394) PNG (418) and cohorts transferred to Australia (128). Further 200 people approved for travel and another 260 people provisionally approved to resettle (15 Nauru, 10 PNG, 235 from Australia) - total therefore 1400 people.
• May 2021 - Report: .
• 23 Jun 2021 - Biloela family members granted 3m bridging visas - see .
• Jul 2021 - Canstruct contract for services in Nauru extended until end 2021 - see .
• 19 Jul 2021 -.
• 15 Aug 2021 - Kabul falls to the Taliban - see of preceding events.
• 17 Aug 2021 - while the security situation remains dire.
• 18 Aug 2021 - Minister Hawke announces Ìýwithin the Humanitarian program (of 13,750 places).
• 20 Aug 2021 - death of Tamil asylum seekerÌýKoneshwaran Krishnapillai (suicide) in Melbourne - see .
• 25 Aug 2021 - sudden release of 33 refugees from APODs in Darwin, Melbourne and Brisbane - see .
• 30 Aug 2021 -ÌýAustralia announces anÌý.ÌýÌý
• 31 Aug 2021 - more than 120,000 people evacuated from Afghanistan in the 10 days to 31 Aug 2021 - see .Ìý
  • Australia evacuated 4100 Afghans (seeÌýÌýandÌý), and has allocated 3000 places from the existing humanitarian intake.Ìý
  • Multiple agencies have urged an additional (and higher) number of places for Afghan refugees - seeÌý.
  • A large proportion of Afghan arrivals travelled on - arrangements made for this visa to access Medicare as of 16 Sep 2021
• 23 Sep 2021 - Biloela Tamil family members granted 12m bridging visas - see .
• 24 Sep 2021 - Australia signs an agreement with Nauru to enable ongoing offshore processing (see Minister's andÌý).
• 24 Sep 2021 - release of the Ìý- with more than 32,000 refugee cases on hand at year end.
• 30 Sep 2021 - Release ofÌý- 4 deaths and 195 self-harm events in immigration detention in 2020-21 - seeÌý.
• 6 Oct 2021 – announcement that offshore processing in PNG will end by end 2021 - see .
• 14 Oct 2021 - Minister Hawke announces $27 million support for Afghans and confirms Afghan refugees on temporary visas will transition to permanent visas.Ìý
• 24 Oct 2021 - close to half (20/46) asylum seekers in Park hotel test + for covid 19 – see .
• 1 Nov 2021 -Ìý into the death of Omid Masoumali in Apr 2016 on Nauru.
• 24 Nov 2021 - Introduction of the – strengthening the character test in s501 of the Migration Act (progressed to the Senate 30 Mar 2022, lapsed at the end of Parliament 25 Jul 2022) also see (Feb 2022).
• 24 Nov 2021 - Introduction of the , lapsed at dissolution 11 Apr 2022.
• Dec 2021 - as of 31/12/21 there were 7186 invitations for 449 visas for Afghan refugees, 6043 granted, and 4810 who had arrived in Australia - as reported in Mar 2022Ìý
• 9 Dec 2021 - Kaldor , also examining process before/during Covid-19.

2022

• Jan 2022 - Minister Hawke announced a further allocation of 15,000 places within the existing humanitarian and family visa programs over the next 4 yearsÌý
  • 31/3/22 confirms 10,000 humanitarian places, 5000 in the 2021-22 program year (including those 3000 initial arrivals), 5000 in future years and 5000 family places (with a total of 31,500 humanitarian places for Afghan refugees).
• 6 Jan 2022 - Tennis player Novak Djokovic arrives for the Australian Open, and is then detained in the Park Hotel APOD after his visa was cancelled in relation to his covid vaccination. status - attracting international media attention to Australia APODs and drawing attention to Australian detention - see .
• 20 Jan 2022 - 4-year deadline for Australia to implement OPCAT commitments, including embedding a coordinated independent inspection system for places of detention.
• 24 Feb 2022 -ÌýRussia invades Ukraine from the north (Belarus), east (Donetsk and Luhansk regions) and south (Crimea).Ìý More than a million people left Ukraine within the first week of the conflict, and by 15 Mar 2022 (19 days later), more than 3 million people had fled.
• 28 Feb 2022 -Ìý into death of Saeed Hassanloo (in Aug 2016).
• 28 Feb 2022 -Ìý there were 7186 invitations for 449 visas for Afghan refugees, 6786 granted, and 5407 who had arrived in Australia - as reported in Mar 2022Ìý.
• Mar 2022Ìý- Ukrainian refugees start arriving in Australia, predominantly women and children.
• 3 Mar 2022 - more than 1000 visas issued to Ukrainians - see .
• 11 Mar 2022 - more than 3000 visas issues to Ukrainian nationals and announcement of automatic 6m extension to all Ukrainian nationals with visas due to expire 30 Jun 2022.
• Mar 2022 - revision of the Kaldor Centre Ìý
• 11 Mar 2022 - 13 detainees released from APODs, including 9 from Melbourne’s Park Hotel – see .
• 20 Mar 2022 -federal government announces temporary humanitarian visas for Ukrainian refugees (two-step process which involves issuing a Humanitarian Stay (Temporary) (subclass 449) visa followed by the 786 visa (3-years duration), with work rights, Medicare and education access. Offer subsequently ended .
• 24 Mar 2022 - Australia accepts New Zealand’s offer of 150 places annually for refugee resettlement - see media.Ìý
• 26 Mar 2022 -Death of 35 yr old Kurdish man by suicide in VIDC – see .
• 29 Mar 2022 - federal budget allocated an additional humanitarian intake (above the existing humanitarian intake) of 16,500 Afghan refugees over 4 years (funding of $666 million), expected at 4125/year for 4 years.
• 31 Mar 2022 –
  • Outline of plans for a contingent facility in Nauru with baseline capability in case of boat arrivals, including for children. Plans described as ‘open ended’, estimated to be around $530M/year
  • 110 boat arrivals remain on Nauru,Ìý993 people resettled in the US as of 31 Jan 2022
  • 150 places for settlement in NZ (on top of normal resettlement program) to cover people in Nauru, or those in Australia for medical purposes, program administration through UNHCR, and funding through NZ
    
  • Between 23/2 – 28/3/22 – 5474 non-humanitarian visas issued to people from Ukraine, of which 1329 had arrived (total 1784 arrivals) - another 641 applications on hand from people inside Ukraine.
  • MYEFO included $8M for Afghan community agencies to support new arrivals and $7.9M over 2 years for torture-trauma counselling.
• 31 Mar 2022 – media reporting that only 1 person has transitioned from a SHEV visa to a permanent visa.
• 1 Apr 2022 – further 20 men released from the Park Hotel where they had been held in detention – see .Ìý
• 4-5 Apr 2022 – .Ìý
• 7 Apr 2022 – Last 8 asylum seekers released from the Park Hotel – see .Ìý
• 26 Apr 2022 – WA Court of Appeal overturns convictions of Indonesian minors for people smuggling in 2009 – see and .
• 26 Apr 2022 – RCOA releases a for the upcoming federal election.
• 2 May 2022 – Cache of emails from Nauru Police Force released on hacking website – see .
• 3 May 2022 – - includes: 5.7M over 1y for improving health outcomes for refugees and people seeking asylum, 6.7M over 2y for improving settlement outcomes for humanitarian cohorts and emerging migrant communities, 3.7M over 1y for Covid-19 support and recovery for multicultural communitiesÌý
• 21 May 2022 – Federal election – of interception of a Sri Lankan asylum seeker boat - subsequent DHA report confirms instructions from PM office – see .
  • :Ìý
    • ‘Aspire’ to increase to humanitarian intake – to 27,000 places/year.
    • Progressive increase to the community sponsored refugee program to 5000 places/year (in addition to the humanitarian program).
    • Abolish TPV and SHEV and transition eligible refugees onto PR.
    • Humane and risk based detention policies, independent oversight of detention facilities, aiming to limit mandatory detention to 90 days, and reintroduction of the 90-day rule into the Migration Act.
    • Appointment of an independent children’s advocate to represent the interests of children seeking asylum.Ìý
    • Free legal advice, English language classes and means tested social supports for asylum seekers.
    • Reintroduce references to the Refugee Convention into the Migration Act.
    • Reinstate the Refugee Review Tribunal, abolish the ‘Fast Track’ process and Immigration Assessment Authority, improve and streamline processing of protection claims.Ìý
    • Maintain offshore processing and maintain boat turnbacks where safe to do so.
    • Humanitarian and protection leadership in SE Asia, including building a regional framework and attention to the situation of asylum seekers in Indonesia.
    • Increasing UNHCR funding.
    • Appointment of a Special Envoy for Refugee and Asylum Seeker issues.
• 31 May 2022 – - becomes the new Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security – replacing Peter Dutton, who becomes leader of the opposition.Ìý becomes the new Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs.
• 31 May 2022 – - average duration of detention reaches 736 days, with 35.4% of the detained population detained for 2 years or longer (as of Sep 2022 - remain the most recent stats).
• May 2022 - feedback due for , arising from earlier Ìý(2019).
• May 2022 - death ofÌýLeah Jane Porter in Villawood Immigration Centre - see .
• 10 Jun 2022 – Nadesalingam family return to Biloela – see .
• 13 Jun 2022 - Australia has now granted more than 8000 visas for people from Ukraine. As of 13 Jun 2022, around 3200 Ukrainian nationals have arrived in Australia (900 to Victoria).
• 16 Jun 2022 – death of a 32 yr old man Gokhan Kan in riots at Yongah Hill immigration Centre – see .
• Jun 2022 - - interim guidance - free hospital care for this cohort.
• 20 Jun 2022 – Fatima Payman confirmed as winning the final Senate seat in WA - becoming the first Afghan-Australian and first hijab-wearing Muslim woman in parliament – see .
• 8 Jul 2022 – Signals of shift in s501 cancellations for NZ born long-term Australian residents – announcements in press conference w PM Anthony Albanese and NZ PM Jacinta Ardern.
• 14 Jul 2022 -Ìý Australian Government offer of a 3-year Temporary Humanitarian Stay for Ukrainian nationals due to expire, extended to 31 Jul 2022 - see , and .
• 19 Jul 2022 – Court case challenging detention in APODs - see .Ìý
• 19 Jul 2022 – exponential spread of since Apr 2022 – reaching nearly 7000 cases.
• Jul 2022 – Comparative Network on the Externalisation of Refugee Policies (CONREP) a .Ìý
• 1 Aug 2022 – Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie reintroduces the - see .
• 5 Aug 2022 – Biloela family granted permanent visas – see . ÌýÌý
• Aug 2022 – numbers from RCOA:
  • 19,345 refugees on TPV/SHEV, 1190 waiting for primary decision, 987 seeking review of negative decision, 9731 negative decisionÌý
  • Offshore numbers - 3127 people sent offshore between Jul 2013-early 2014. 1056 resettled, 1006 to US, remainder to Canada and Europe. More than 750 returned to country of origin, 15 died, 251 children born to this cohort since arrival. 1384 remain, 112 in Nauru, 104 in PNG, 1168 transferred to Australia for medical care. Resettlement options available –Ìý 230 provisional approvals for US settlement, 450 NZ (150/year to Jun 2025), 159 applications to Canada – via Operation Not Forgotten
• 15 Aug 2022 - News emerges of former PM Scott Morrison having been secretly appointed to additional ministries - initial reports of 3 portfolios - Health (14 Mar 2020), Finance (30 Mar 2020) and Industry/Science/Energy/Resources (15 Apr 2021).
• 16 Aug 2022 - further news of former PM Scott Morrison also having been secretly appointed to Home AffairsÌý(6 May 2021) and Treasury (6 May 2021) - see , Ìýand subsequent Ìý(23 Aug 2022).
• 16 Aug 2022 - (intake 160,000 places, also provides state breakdown) - intake subsequently increased to 190,000 annually as of 2 Sep 2022.
• 16 Aug 2022 - Canstruct loses Nauru offshore processing contracts, with plan to transition services to Management and Training Corporation (MTC) Australia from 1 Oct (MTC being a US prisons private provider). Initial contract reported to be $47M for 2 months - see .
• 25 Aug 2022 - Minister Andrew Giles speech at Sydney Policy Lab on the .Ìý
• Aug 2022 - release of the .
• 2 Sep 2022 - announcement of increases to skilled migration program with total permanent migration intake expected to rise to 195,000 people/year - see .
• 10 Oct 2022 - Stephanie Foster PSM commences as Associate Secretary Immigration - see .
• Oct 2022 - Dr Deon Gouws finishes as Chief Medical Officer to DHA
• 7 Nov 2022 - Clare O'Neil announces Migration Program Inquiry - panel Dr Martin Parkinson AC PSM, Dr Joanna Howe and John Azarias - see , , andÌý.
• 22 Nov 2022 - first group of 6 refugees arrive in New Zealand from Nauru - see .
• 22 Dec 2022 - Federal Court ruling on case - that aggregate sentences should not trigger automatic visa cancellations - see . Around during Christmas period. Subsequent Bill to re-institute stricter interpretation of the Ìýin early 2023, with intended outcome of re-detention (see ), and then , retrospectively authorising visa cancellation for aggregate sentences of 12 months or longer, and facilitating re-detention.
• End 2022 - ) that Labour government returned almost 200 asylum seekers on 7 boats between May-Dec 2022.

2023

• Jan 2023 - softening of Australia's position on New Zealand deportations under s501 of the Migration Act - considering length of time in Australia in decision making (seeÌý). MinisterialÌý lays out principles for s501 visa cancellation cases, considering protection of the Australian community, whether conduct constituted family violence, the strength, nature and duration of ties to Australia, the best interests of minor children in Australia and expectations of the Australian community (later replaced by in June 2024).
• 29 Jan 2023 - death of Iraqi refugee in Villawood, detained 5 years - see .
• Jan 2023 - Minister Claire O'Neil appoints former Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police Christine Nixon AO, APM to undertake a Ìý- released 31 Mar 2023.
  
• 6 Feb 2023 - Labour moves to renew the instrument of designation for the regional processing centre to continue on Nauru - with news emerging that the original authorisation lapsed in Oct 2022 (after 10 years) and was notified to Minister O'Neil on 15 Dec 2022 - see .
• 7 Feb 2023 - Behrouz Boochani makes a speech in parliament house in Canberra - see .
• 10 Feb 2023 - Replacement of Ministerial Directions 80 and 83, effectively providing a pathway for boat arrivals on permanent visas to sponsor family (previously Direction 80 meant boat arrivals were considered lowest priority for family sponsorship).
• 12 Feb 2023 - announcement that people on a TPV or SHEV will be able to apply for a Ìý(RoS)Ìý- see .
  • On-hand/at review applications (i.e. primary protection application) - automatically converted to RoS.
  • People already on TPV/SHEV - vulnerable/priority - no waiting time, remainder - invited to apply, staged process expected to take 12 months. No repeat protection assessment, most no interview, uses prior health checks and DHA will organise background police check.Ìý
  • TPV/SHEV cancelled or negative decision at all stages - expected to leave.
  • Waiting for merits/judicial review - complete process and if positive protection decision - RoS process becomes available.
• 13 Feb 2023 -Ìý in response to the Pearson v Minister for Home Affairs caseÌýÌý (did not progress).
• 16 Feb 2023 - , also responding to the Pearson v Minister for Home Affairs case , retrospectively authorising visa cancellation for aggregate sentences of 12 months or longer, and allowing re-detention of the cohort released in Dec 2022.
• Feb 2023 - Bali process discussions held in South Australia - see .
• 3 Mar 2023 - comes into force (later replaced by in June 2024).Ìý
• 21 Mar 2023 - , see .
• 30 Mar 2023 - changes to the
• 31 Mar 2023 - released - see Ìý(4 Oct 2023).
• 12 Apr 2023 - High Court case -Ìý - ruling that DHA cannot set policy limiting section 351 of the Migration Act (1958) - i.e. limit section 351 Ministerial intervention requests. See .
• 19 Apr 2023 - PM Anthony Albanese and Minister Andrew Giles meet with UNHCR Commissioner Filippo Grandi - see .
• 27 Apr 2023 -
• 28 Apr 2023 - .
• 8 May 2023 - Boat of 35 Sri Lankan asylum seekers intercepted and taken to Christmas Island (see ).
• 18 May 2023 - .
• 23 May 2023 - Senate estimates figures outline a cost of $485M for offshore processing on Nauru ($350M/year ongoing as contingency) with only 22 people remaining in regional processing arrangements at the time (see ).
• 25 May 2023 - Minister Giles announces the establishment of a .
• 1 Jun 2023 - release of the .
• 20 Jun 2023 - .
• 21 Jun 2023 - release of .
• 24 Jun 2023 - last refugee transferred off Nauru - see .
• 30 Jun 2023 - death of a male detainee at Villawood - see and .
• Jul 2023 - updates to Immigration Medical Examinations for offshore humanitarian entrants - see Ìý(and Sep 2023 - )
• 28 Jul 2023 - .
• 31 Jul 2023 - Minister O'Neil announces an investigation into concerns raised around offshore detention contracts, appointing Dennis Richardson AC - see , subsequent report 'Review of Integrity Concerns and Governance Arrangements for the Management of Regional Processing Administration by the Department of Home Affairs (the ) and .Ìý
• 11 Aug 2023 - .
• 17 Aug 2023 - ALP national conference - positions to decide protection applications within 90d and ensure work and study rights while claims are addressed, increase community sponsored places from 5000-10,000 per year, abolish TPV, initiate an inquiry into offshore detention and establish a special envoy for refugees.
• Sep 2023 - updates to for humanitarian entrants, including presumptive parasite treatment, extended immunisation protocols, and improved consideration of pregnancy status.
• Sep 2023 - Boat intercepted with 11 Tamil asylum seekers - who were then transferred to Nauru 7 Sep 2023 - see . (22 Jan 2024) confirms 8/11 returned to country of origin.
• 13 Sep 2023 - to people involved in the 2014 data breach.
• 15 Sep 2023 - .
• 25 Sep 2023 - DHA Secretary Mike Pezzullo stands aside during an investigation into text messages - see .
• 3 Oct 2023 - Pakistan announces plans to repatriate more than 1M undocumented migrants, predominantly Afghans - see andÌý information.
• 4 Oct 2023 - in response to the .
• 4 Oct 2023 - that Christmas Island IDC once again empty with last detainees transferred to mainland.
• 5 Oct 2023 - Ìý- including $54M for real-time priority processing of protection applications, $58M to the AAT and Federal Circuit Court, and $48M for legal assistance. In total, an additional 93 members have been appointed to the AAT. See .
• 7 Oct 2023 - Hamas commits terrorist acts against Israel.
• 14 Oct 2023 - for civilians affected by conflict in Gaza.
• 16 Oct 2023 - new announced by Minister GilesÌý
• 17 Oct 2023 - .
• 23 Oct 2023 - PNG indicates plans to resolve the status of the 64 remaining refugees/non refugees from Australian offshore processing - see .
• 26 Oct 2023 - for civilians affected by the conflict in Gaza.
• 27 Oct 2023 - Israel launches ground invasion of Gaza.
• 3 Nov 2023 - Ìý- Federal Court holds that Australia is not obliged to repatriate Australian women and children associated with Islamic State.
• 3 Nov 2023 - - Federal Court approves prior settlement in the case of child claiming alleged breach of duty of care in Nauru. See .
• 8 Nov 2023 -High Court ruling that indefinite detention is illegal - see (released 28 Nov 2023) and . In total, 148 people were released. By 9 Dec 2023, 6 had been rearrested (), with further AFP reports on andÌý.
• 9 Nov 2023 - (coming into force 28 August 2024) creating a pathway for climate change refugees from Tuvalu to Australia.
• 9 Nov 2023 - Dr Grant Pegg appointed as Chief Medical Officer for DHA.
• 10 Oct 2023 - (the Richardson Review) submitted to Parliament.Ìý
• 10 Nov 2023 - PM Albanese announces an agreement with Tuvalu allowing 280 people/year a special mobility pathway to Australian settlement, acknowledging the impact of climate change - see .
• 16 Nov 2023 - Ìý- assent 17 Nov 2023.
• 17 Nov 2023 - Request for Information for the Humanitarian Integration and Settlement Program - see
• 23 Nov 2023 - 12 asylum seekers reach WA coast and are flown to Nauru - see .
• 23 Nov 2023 - that Australia has issued 1793 visas to Israeli citizens and 860 to Palestinians in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
• 27 Nov 2023 - introduced - assent 7 Dec 2023,Ìýallowing the Minister to apply to court to re-detain non-citizens released from detention if: i) they have previously convicted of crimes with sentences 7 years or longer, and ii) the court agrees they present an unacceptable risk of committing a serious violent or sexual offence, and less restrictive mitigations are not available. AHRC refers for Parliamentary review. SeeÌý,ÌýÌýandÌý. Subsequent high Court challenges from Refugee Legal (see ) and .
• 27 Nov 2023 -Ìý introduced (also prohibits child detention, remains before House) - see .
  
• 27 Nov 2023 - Michael Pezullo stood down as Secretary of DHA - see and .
• 27 Nov 2023 - Independent MP proposes the .ÌýÌý
• 28 Nov 2023 -ÌýÌýappointed as Secretary of DHA.
• 29 Nov 2023 - High Court decision on . The Court ruled that administrative detention of a non-citizen by the executive government is only constitutionally valid if reasonably necessary for a legitimate non-punitive purpose; it effectively ‘ended’ indefinite immigration detention in circumstances where there is no reasonable prospect of removal (seeÌý, and ).
• 30 Nov 2023 - applications for the Afghan Locally Engaged Employee (LEE) program close - see .
• 7 Dec 2023 - and introduced, establishing the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) and providing for the transition of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) to the new ART structure. Subsequently referred to .Ìý
• 11 Dec 2023- released - see .
  
• 16 Dec 2023 - at the UNHCR Global Refugee Forum.
• 19 Dec 2023 - Inaugural Ministerial migration roundtable - see .
• 20 Dec 2023 - .
• 22 Dec 2023 - for Indonesians who were imprisoned as children for people smuggling offences (see ).
• Dec 2023 - Establishment of the .

2024

• 16 Jan 2024 - in the Middle East.
• 27 Jan 2024 - Australia pauses funding for UNRWA - see .
• 16 Feb 2024 - 39 asylum seekers in 3 groups are discovered by Aboriginal communities near Beagle Bay, north of Broome - see .
• 12 Feb 2024 - .
• 15 Mar 2024 - Australia resumes funding to UNRWA - see .
• 18 Mar 2024 - . .
  
• 26 Mar 2024 - introduced - see andÌý, requiring non-citizens on removal pathways who have exhausted all legal options, to cooperate with arrangements for their removal or face mandatory custodial sentences and/or fines. Subsequently blocked in the Senate () and referred to .Ìý
• 27 Mar 2024 - .
• 5 Apr 2024 - A group of asylum seekers arrive to Australian mainland in the Kimberley region - see .
• 17 Apr 2024 - Ìý- the High Court found against the plaintiff, ruling (10 May 2024) that detention is lawful if there is a real prospect of removal where the detainee cooperates with removal processes, also ruling that if no protection obligations are engaged, then fear of harm after return does not preclude removal. Also see .
• 26 Apr 2024 - Full Federal Court upholds that hotels as Alternative Places of Detention (APODs) are lawful ().
• 7 May 2024 - ,Ìý
• 10 May 2024 - 33 asylum seekers arrive by boat to Christmas Island, and are subsequently transferred to Nauru - see .
• 14 May 2024 - Ìý(also see ) includes $890M for refugee, humanitarian settlement and migrant services, $604M for UMA offshore management, $570M for border protection, and also new Court facilities ('Migration Hubs') in Sydney and Melbourne for migration and protection matters.
• 16 May 2024 - passes, abolishing the AAT and progressing the establishment of the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART).
  
• 20 May 2024 - released, showing children from CALD backgrounds are less likely to attend early childhood education, and more likely to be developmentally vulnerable at school entry.ÌýÌý
• 28 May 2024 -ÌýÌýpasses - establishing the ART.
• 28 May 2024 - .
• 4 Jun 2024 - and reporting that 37 asylum seekers transferred to Nauru. OSB
• 5-7 Jun 2024 - Australia chairs the (CRCP) in Geneva.
• 12 Jun 2024 - Cth government announces Ìýof $10M directed to World Food Programme (total 72.5M to date).
• 21 Jun 2024 - Ìýcomes into force (replacing ) - giving greater weight to community safety in visa cancellation cases - see .
• Jul 2024 - ASRC report ''.Ìý Provides offshore numbers: 96 people detained in Nauru and approx 47 people remaining in PNG.Ìý
• Jul 2024 - reports the turn back of 74 potential irregular immigrants and crew to their country of departure (also see , reporting on a smaller cohort of 44 men)
• 1 Jul 2024 - .Ìý
• 1 Jul 2024 - Pakistan commences a second phase deporting a further 800,000 undocumented Afghan refugees - see .
• 2 Jul 2024 - Government regulations tabled in Parliament confirm ongoing funding to PNG for refugees and asylum seekers in PNG - see .
• 4 Jul 2024 - .
• 24 Jul 2024 - released by Department of Home Affairs.
• 29 Jul 2024 - , replacing Clare O'Neil. also sworn in as the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Cyber Security, Minister for the Arts, and Leader of the House. sworn in as the Assistant Minister for Immigration and sworn in as Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs.Ìý
• 4 Aug 2024 - that the Australian government is considering pathways for people from Gaza to remain in Australia for longer.
• 6 Aug 2024 - (SCT) - now set at $86,000 over 5 years (3 years if aged 75 years+, and up to 10 years for permanent conditions). Health waivers remain in place for humanitarian entrants.Ìý
• 14 Aug 2024 - that NZ refugee settlement pathways not likely to continue - also reporting UNHCR have referred 385 refugees for consideration, 210 have been approved and 172 have settled in NZ.Ìý
• 19 Aug 2024 - that Independent MP Kylea Tink is reintroducing the Migration Amendment (Limits on Immigration Detention) Bill 2024 to limit (onshore and offshore) detention to 90 days, ensure any longer periods of detention are reviewable by the Administrative Review Tribunal, and to prohibit the detention of children.
• 23 Aug 2024 - Federal Court - settlement of negligence claims for child held in Nauru (FBV18 see ) and AYX18.Ìý
• 28 Aug 2024 - death of 23 year old Tamil asylum seeker Mano Yogalingam who self immolated in Dandenong - see . Letter from 25 crossbench MPs led by Kylea Tink asking for permanent pathways for asylum seekers in limbo after 'fast track' assessments - see .Ìý
• 28 Aug 2024 - enters into force, creating a pathway for climate change refugees from Tuvalu to Australia.Ìý
• Sep 2024 - Kaldor Centre Policy Brief: .Ìý
• 27 Sep 2024 - UNHCR issues on International Protection on how States should treat asylum seekers arriving by irregular pathways. .Ìý
• 14 Sep 2024 - Iran announces plans to deport more then 2M undocumented Afghan refugees - see .Ìý
  
• 14 Oct 2024 - new Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) commences.
• 4 Nov 2024 - .
• Nov 2024 - Ìýbecomes available for Palestinians in Australia who are unable to return home. This pathway is a 2-step process - with a 449 Humanitarian Stay (Temporary) followed by a 786 Temporary (Humanitarian concern) visa. Permanent pathways will be considered at the end of the 3-year 786 period. Also see .Ìý
• 17 Nov 2024 - Serco loses detention services contract after 15 years (AUD4.6B total, see ). New immigration detention facilities services contract (5 years, AUD2.3B) awarded to 'Secure Journeys', a subsidiary of US-based Management & Training Corporation (see ).
• 19 Nov 2024 - Ìýreport published.
• 28 Nov 2024 - 3 key Migration Bills pass both houses on the last sitting day of parliament, all coming into force 4 Dec 2024.
  • Ìý(2024) - the Bill provides increased scope for removals/deportation, allows payments to third countries to facilitate removals, establishes immunity against civil claims, allows for reviewable protection decisions, and clarifies sharing of information on criminal history. See and . UNHCR expresses concern about Australia's externalisation of international protection obligations - see .Ìý
  • (2024) - the Bill requires adult non-citizens on a removal pathway who have exhausted all avenues to remain in Australia to cooperate with the removal process and comply with Ministerial directions, with criminal penalties for non-compliance (the Minister cannot make directions on minors). The Bill also provides the Minister with discretionary power to designate 'removal concern countries' by legislative instrument, whereby individuals from that country who are outside Australia will not be able to make a valid application for an Australian visa while the designation is in force (with exceptions allowing for family visas and compliance with international obligations). The Bill also includes amendments that a protection finding can be revisited in relation to a lawful non-citizen who holds a visa as a removal pathway non-citizen. See .
  • (2024) - the Bill allows the Minister to determine that an item is prohibited in relation to immigration detention facilities and detainees (including mobile phones) and expands powers to search and seize items. See .
• 9 Dec 2024 - , providing Nauru with AUD100M over 5 years in financial support, AUD40M over 5 years in support for policing and security, banking services through Commonwealth Bank of Australia, andÌýthat Nauru will consult with Australia on matters relating to security and critical infrastructure. See , and .
  
• 11 Dec 2024 - AHRC publishes report. Also see .Ìý
• 12 Dec 2024 - changes to allowance for asylum seekers remaining in PNG, with loss of government provided housing and healthcare and a new single allowance - see .

2025

• 9 Jan 2025 -ÌýUN Human Rights Committee finds that Australia has violated the rights of asylum seekers detained in Nauru. The Committee concluded that Australia had engaged in arbitrary detention and failed to provide an effective mechanism to challenge detention. See decisions: , and Ìý,Ìý, and .
• 20 Jan 2025 -Ìý that Australia has offered nearly 1,000temporary humanitarian visas over 3 months to Palestinian and Israeli nationals fleeing the conflict.
• Feb 2025 - Serco ends services in Australian immigration detention (see ), and 'Secure Journeys' commence services.
• 12 Feb 2025 - Kaldor Centre releases .Ìý
• 20 Feb 2025 - that the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) will become permanent - see .
• 24 Feb 2025 - .
• Mar 2025 - Combined briefing - Ìýoutlining policy suggestions for the caseload of 7000 people facing ongoing migration uncertainty, including people with negative 'fast track' decisions, and 900 people who spent time on Nauru and in PNG under regional processing arrangements.
• Mar 2025 - released (UNSW and Kaldor Centre)
• Mar 2025 – reports one boat arrival, with 11 people returned to their country of departure and <5 UMA transferred to Nauru.
• 6 Mar 2025 - Ombudsman report onÌýCommonwealth National Preventive Mechanism (NPM’s) inspection of detention facilities aboard Merchant Vessel Besant and Australian Defence Vessel Guidance. See .Ìý
• 6 Mar 2025 -Ìý on findings of Coronial inquest into three suicides at Villawood (deaths occurred 2019–2022; inquest findings reported in 2025), including concerns about missed medication/appointments.
• 27 and 31 Mar 2025 -
• Apr 2025 – 6 people (UMA) transferred from Australia to Nauru under regional processing arrangements - see .
• 2 Apr 2025 - on case testing NZYQ ruling - the Court found that detention was valid while the individuals visas were being processed and they were not eligible for damages (see ).
• 3 Apr 2025 - Riot and fire at MITA detention centre - see .
  
• 3 May 2025 - Labour wins the federal election, with a second term for PM Anthony Albanese - see
• 12 May 2025 - reappointed as Minister for Home Affairs, Immigration and Citizenship, Cybersecurity and the Arts, also with the return of ASIO and the AFP to the DHA portfolio.
• 13 May 2025 - appointed as Minister for Multicultural Affairs, International Development and Small Business
• 14 May 2025 -Ìý (SCoA).
• 30 May 2025 - 8 Chinese nationals found in Arnhem land after arriving by boat - see .
• May 2025Ìý– Boat turnback, withÌý11 people returned to their country of departure (no Nauru transfers) - seeÌý.
  
• 3 Jun 2025 - Office for Multicultural Affairs within the Department of Home Affairs is announced - see .
  
• 25 Jun 2025 - New Zealand pathway for people transferred offshore (Nauru/PNG) operating from Jul 2022 concludes - see .Ìý
• Jun 2025Ìý–Ìý2 boats arrive, 15 people returned to their country of departure and <5 transferred to Nauru - seeÌý
• 1 Jul 2025 – for Refugee and Humanitarian visa applications (including subclass 202), moving away from paper-based submissions.
  
• 17 Jul 2025 – Permanent pathway offered to eligible Ukrainian nationals on 786 visas via the Resolution of Status visa (subclass 851) - see
  
• 21 Jul 2025 - IOM and UNHCR launch 'Train to hire' for refugees in Asia Pacific region - see .
• Jul 2025ÌýÌý- 5 boats arrive, 37 people returned to their country of departure and 11 transferred to Nauru - see
• Jul 2025 - that 105 adult male asylum seekers were held on Nauru: 15 within the RPC1 processing centre and 90 in Nauruan community accommodation.
• Jul 2025 –Ìý released
• 6 Aug 2025 –Ìý, adjusting requirements and exemptions relating to English language testing for student visa applicants.
• 16 Aug 2025 - on scholarships for 35 students from Gaza at Western Sydney University.
• 19 Aug 2025 - onÌýNauru signing a AUD1B investment proposal with China Rural Revitalisation and Development Corporation.
• 29 Aug 2025 -ÌýAustralia signs an agreement with Nauru to receive non-citizens who are unable to remain in Australia or be returned to their country of origin. The agreement includes significant Australian funding (>AUD 400M) for Nauru () with funding of up to AUD2.5B over 30 years ().
• Aug 2025 - Cth Ombudsman report: Ìýreleased.
  
• 2 Sep 2025 – introduced, aimed at strengthening powers related to non-citizen removal and third-country reception arrangements, including provisions connected to deportation logistics and validation of certain visa decisions. Also seeÌý.
• 5 Sep 2025 - released.
• 16 Sep 2025 - IDC report: .
• 21 Sep 2025 - Australia recognises the State of Palestine - see Ìýand .
• 26 Sep 2025 – (by invitation) for eligible Palestinian and Israeli nationals affected by the Gaza conflict on temporary visasÌýin Australia.
• 29 Sep 2025 - thatÌýMTC Australia, a subsidiary of US-based MTC, will be paid $157M/year to run offshore processing on Nauru, with total contract value of $787M and an extension to 2027.Ìý
• 8 Oct 2025 – introduced, including provisions relating to identity verification systems (including facial recognition data) and amendments affecting citizenship residency requirements in limited circumstances. Also see .
• 8 Oct 2025 -
• 8 Oct 2025 - Amnesty report:Ìý.
• 9 Oct 2025 -Ìý DHA introduces an enabling Palestinian and Israeli nationals in Australia to request consideration under the temporary humanitarian stay pathway.
• 10 Oct 2025 - .
• 27 Oct 2025 - Cth Ombudsman documents tabled - .
• 29 Oct 2025 -Ìýfirst individuals transferred to Nauru under the new third-country resettlement scheme - see , with concerns raised by the .
• Oct 2025 - first arrivals under theÌý (RSSP) for up to 20 refugee students aged 18-30 years, in partnership with Australian Universities - see .
• Nov 2025 - Australia welcomes the millionth refugee since World War II - see .
• 14 Nov 2025 -Ìý.
• 27 Nov 2025 -ÌýSenate refers an to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee after concerns raised by , also see .Ìý
• 27 Nov 2025 -ÌýÌýpasses, implementing legislative changes to identity verification and related migration administrative processes.
  
• Nov 2025 – 2 boats arrive, 15 people returned to their country of departure and 5 transferred to Nauru - see .
• 1 Dec 2025 - , see .
• 2 Dec 2025 -
• Dec 2025 –ÌýThe and associated instruments were incorporated into the Migration Regulations legislative series.
• 4 Dec 2025 - 6 Chinese nationals found in northern WA after arriving by boat - seeÌý.
• 5 Dec 2025 - , noting more than 160 people have been sent to Nauru since 2023 under regional processing arrangements, the lack of work rights for asylum seekers, and that only 8 people have been granted refugee status.
• 14 Dec 2025 - Terror attacks targeting Jewish community at Bondi
• Dec 2025 - 4 boats arrive, 26 people returned, 8 people sent to Nauru as part of regional processing agreements - see .
• Dec 2025 - concerns raised around security arrangements for regional processing in Nauru, with reporting.

2026

• Jan 2026 - Amnesty submission to Universal Periodic Review:Ìý.ÌýÌý
• 22 Jan 2026 -Ìý.
• 20 Jan 2026 -Ìý pass the Senate, see .
• 26 Jan 2026 - Australia's at the United Nations, Geneva - see , and .
• 3 Feb 2026 - Cth Ombudsman documents tabled -Ìý.
• 3 Feb 2026 - published.
• 5 Feb 2026 - passes the Senate, allowing the ART to make some decisions based on written submissions (without an oral hearing). See . Asylum decisions are excluded from the new laws.
• 10 Feb 2026 - .
• 11 Feb 2026 - announced -Ìýto assist LGBTIQA+ refugees from Asia and the Pacific to to access dedicated support for priority processing in Australia’s humanitarian program.ÌýÌý
• Feb 2026 - Human Rights Watch published.
• Feb 2026 - media focus on IS linked women and children in Al Roj camp in Syria - legal situation.
• 28 Feb 2026 - US and Israel strikes on Iran - see andÌý.
• 9 Mar 2026Ìý- 5 members of the Iranian women's soccer team (in Australia for the Women's Asian Cup) granted protection visas - see Minister's . Two additional team members subsequently sought asylum.
• 10 Mar 2026-Ìý introduced - which would allow the Australian Government to make an 'arrival control determination' which would block temporary visa holders from travelling to Australia to prevent people remaining in Australia beyond the duration of the temporary visa. See .

Resources

• Analysis and Policy Observatory -ÌýÌý(2015)
  
• Ìý
• Australian Parliamentary Library:
  • (2015) - include plane arrival numbersÌý
  • Ìý
  • (Jun 2016)
  • Immigration (including refugees, asylum seekers and detention)
  • Ìý(2010) - includes links to historical documents
• Ìý(2014, Kaldor Centre roundtable)
• Department of Home Affairs
  • Ìý(2012)
  • , including aÌý
  • Previous Ìý(Pandora)
• Ìý- including
• Social Security Law (DSS - includes )
• UNHCR Country Chapters - (2018)
• VAGO:Ìý