Australian Border Force
| Australian Border Force | |
|---|---|
Logo of Australian Border Force
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| Agency overview | |
| Formed | July 1, 2015 |
| Preceding agencies |
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| Employees | 5,800 |
| Annual budget | $116 Million (2016) |
| Legal personality | Governmental: Government agency |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Federal agency | AU |
| General nature |
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| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Belconnen ACT 2617 |
| Elected officer responsible | Peter Dutton, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection |
| Agency executive | Roman Quaedvlieg, Commissioner |
| Parent agency | Department of Immigration and Border Protection |
| Child agency | Australian Customs and Border Protection Service |
| Website | |
| http://www.border.gov.au/australian-border-force-abf | |
The Australian Border Force (ABF), is a part of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, responsible for offshore and onshore border control enforcement, investigations, compliance and detention operations in Australia. The Force was established on 1 July 2015 merging the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service with the immigration detention and compliance functions of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
The ABF is a law enforcement agency operating under the Australian Border Force Act 2015 with broadened legislative powers including the introduction of sworn officers. A new uniform was introduced and following the transition there was increase in the number of officers authorised to carry firearms. As of 2016, approximately 15% of the Force is firearms trained which will increase by 2020 to less than 25%.
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison MP announced the establishment of the Force on 9 May 2014 to be based on a hybrid of the United Kingdom Border Force model.
The National Commission of Audit recommended the merger in February 2014. The Australian Border Force Bill 2015 was introduced on 25 February 2015 and passed on 14 May 2015.
The ABF is the operational arm of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. Its mission is to protect Australia's border and manage the movement of people and goods across it. The ABF contributes to three national outcomes including strong national security, a strong economy and a prosperous and cohesive society. The ABF has approximately 5800 employees, with about 1000 in corporate or close operational support roles.
To achieve its mission the ABF structures itself into two Groups – the Operations Group and the Support Group.
The Operations Group has responsibilities for all operational activity relating to the management of travellers, goods and cargo throughout the border continuum. The Operations Group houses the enforcement functions of the ABF, including:
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