Australia to increase visa enforcement and detention for overstayers

The Australian government is tightening immigration controls by increasing enforcement against individuals staying in the country past their visa expiration dates. This crackdown specifically targets tourists, with officials aiming to use administrative detention as a deterrent to encourage compliance with visa conditions.

To support these measures, the government plans to hire 100 new compliance officers and create 250 additional places in detention centers. Authorities are also considering reopening an old quarantine facility in Melbourne to expand capacity. This move addresses an estimated 77,000 people currently in Australia with expired visas.

The policy has drawn criticism from various sectors. The Australian Tourism Industry Council warned that detaining visitors could damage the nation’s reputation as a welcoming destination. Additionally, the Refugee Council of Australia raised legal and safety concerns, noting that the measure appears to use detention as a punitive tool, which may conflict with existing immigration laws.