As of 30 June 2010, DIAC estimated that the number of visa overstayers in Australia was around 53,900, or 0.2 per cent of the Australian population.
[5] Australia operates a number of immigration detention facilities within the country, as well as several offshore processing centres.
In 1992, the Keating government introduced a policy of mandatory detention, in response to a wave of boat arrivals from Indochina.
Those who have not gained prior approval to enter Australia for the purpose of seeking asylum were referred to as irregular arrivals.
While it is not a criminal offence to seek asylum in Australia, or to enter Australian territory without immigration documents for the purpose of seeking asylum, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Fact Check unit determined that the term was valid when referring to an arrival's entry status.