Operation Sovereign Borders (OSB)

The Australian Government is committed to protecting Australia's borders, combating people smuggling in our region, and preventing people from risking their lives at sea.

Operation Sovereign Borders is a military-led border security operation that was established in 2013 to deliver on this commitment.

There is only one way to gain entry into Australia — with an Australian visa.

To find out more about your options for safe and lawful travel to Australia, visit the Immigration and Citizenship website.

You will fail

As Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs, I have a warning to people smugglers and anyone seeking to undermine Australia’s tough border protection policies: You. Will. Fail.

Every person who has tried to come by boat has been returned and you will be too. The Australian Defence Force and the Australian Border Force watch and patrol our borders all day, every day.

Make no mistake – Australia’s strong border protection policies remain. If you try to make it to Australia by boat, you will end up back where you started having given your life savings to a people smuggler.

You will never settle in Australia.

As the Commander of Operation Sovereign Borders, my mandate is to stop any vessel that attempts to enter Australia illegally.

We will intercept any illegal vessel that enters Australian waters and return its passengers to the point of departure, or to a regional processing country.

You have Zero Chance of success.