World Immigration News

(VisaHQ)Staff warn Australia’s immigration detention centres are being “run like prisons” under new private operator

Release Date: 2026-02-06
Media: VisaHQ
Summary: Conditions in Australia’s on-shore immigration detention network have reportedly worsened since U.S. contractor MTC and its subsidiary Secure Journeys took over operations in March 2025. Staff and union sources say frontline personnel were nearly halved to cut costs, leading to chaotic rosters, limited training, and severe understaffing. They claim this has contributed to more critical incidents, including assaults, self-harm, and two murders, with detainees sometimes confined for long periods because no officers are available to escort them.

Detainees also report cuts to basic services such as English classes, legal consultations, and mental-health support, as well as delays in medical treatment. Tensions inside facilities have reportedly increased, leaving both detainees and staff feeling unsafe.

In response, opposition lawmakers have called for the government to cancel the operator’s contract and expand community-based alternatives to detention. The government has launched an urgent compliance review and says sanctions, including contract termination, are possible. The situation also highlights risks for companies whose employees could face detention after visa cancellations, prompting calls for closer monitoring of visa conditions and faster legal responses.
Tags: Australia

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