Australian Border Force

The Australian Border Force (ABF) has farewelled Commissioner Michael Outram APM after more than 44 years of distinguished public service. ABF officers formed a guard of honour outside ABF Headquarters yesterday, as the Commissioner left the building for the last time. He was also honoured by current and former colleagues, including staff from the Australian Department of Home Affairs, as well as friends and family, who all lined the car park to say their goodbyes. Commissioner Outram was joined by his wife, Kali, and son, Dylan, before he gave a final salute and a final wave as they drove away. He leaves the ABF after more than seven years as the Commissioner – sworn in on 14 May 2018 – and almost ten years of service, having been sworn in as the inaugural Deputy Commissioner Operations on 1 July 2015. Commissioner Outram will undertake a period of leave before officially retiring on Saturday 9 November 2024 with incoming Commissioner Gavan Reynolds AO to be sworn-in the following day. We thank the Commissioner for his service to Australia and wish him the best on his retirement. 🎉 The full video of the march-out and more information is available here: https://lnkd.in/gZ9_maPk

Outgoing ABF Commissioner Michael Outram sat down for a few final questions, before his seven year tenure in the top job comes to a close. Hear from Commissioner Outram as he reflects on his proudest moment at the ABF, as well as his suffering as a Manchester United fan. We thank Commissioner Outram for his service in protecting Australia’s borders, and wish him well for his next chapter.

Notification to passengers arriving in Australia related to the 3G mobile networks. In Australia, the 3G mobile networks will be turned off from Monday, 28 October 2024. For more information, visit: https://lnkd.in/gbP3X4gZ

Ever filled in one of these? You might’ve found yourself sheepishly asking a flight attendant for a spare pen, or hurriedly completing one at a kiosk to make sure you catch your bag on the carousel. Well due to a new trans-Tasman pilot program, incoming passenger cards may soon be a thing of the past. A digital alternative to the incoming passenger card (IPC) has been trialed this week for travellers arriving into Australia from New Zealand. This is just one part of our efforts towards border modernisation, ensuring a streamlined experience for travellers coming into Australia.

Get ready for take-off! 🛫 With the launch of Western Sydney International Airport on the horizon, we have been busy engaging with the local community at all levels. Recently, ABF Officers joined in on WSI’s Taking Off program, which brings together first nations students from local schools to learn about work opportunities in the industry while engaging with their culture. Program like Taking Off provide exposure of the opportunities the ABF can provide in protecting the border for all Australians. A big thank you to Western Sydney International Airport for bringing the program to life to support such a culturally rich and diverse region, like Western Sydney.

Ahead of his retirement from ABF next month, Commissioner Michael Outram has the privilege of delivering his valedictory speech at the National Press Club of Australia on Wednesday 16 October 2024. Tickets are available for members and their guests: https://lnkd.in/gxcHFrZk or watch live on TV from 12.30pm.

How far would you go for your four-legged heroes? For the Browne family, nowhere is too far! 🐾 Since 2021, ABF Foster Carers, Frances and Declan Browne, along with their daughter Amelia, have opened their hearts and home to four ABF bred dogs. Right now, they're caring for Chief and puppy Yodes. But recently, Declan and Amelia hopped across the Tasman to New Zealand to cheer on their former foster pup, Yetta, as she graduated with New Zealand Customs Service. Talk about going the extra mile! From family cuddles to sniffing out trouble, our dogs are loved every step of the way, getting all the care they need to become confident detector dogs. These hairy heroes are making a difference, one paw at a time. And it's all thanks to incredible foster families like the Brownes. If you would like to foster an ABF puppy, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gbBanTZc

Two countries, eight threats to manage in the civil maritime domain 🤝 While thousands of kilometres separate our countries, the efforts to uphold security in our maritime region brings us both closer together. Recently the ABF hosted our Philippines Maritime counterparts, led by Assistant Secretary, Louis Alferez of the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador of the Philippines, her excellency Ma Helen De La Vega, and Philippines Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan. A truly valuable engagement led by ABF's Deputy Commissioner Tim Fitzgerald, reflective of our deepening partnership with our APAC neighbours 🇦🇺 🇵🇭 To learn more about the threats this partnership is managing, visit the website https://lnkd.in/gCPjcYDb

A Perth man has been sentenced to more than five years’ imprisonment for attempting to possess about 406g of methamphetamine concealed within notebooks imported into Australia in 2021. The 39-year-old was arrested in August 2021 following a joint Australian Border Force (ABF) and Australian Federal Police (AFP) operation. The arrest was the result of an investigation launched after ABF officers in Perth found the illicit drugs in an air cargo consignment from Malaysia. The matter was referred to the AFP and the illicit drugs were removed before the package was delivered to the man’s address. AFP tracked the man collecting a substituted package before he fled on a motorised scooter. He was later found hiding in a suburban shed. The amount seized could have been sold as more than 4000 street-level deals. ABF Superintendent James Payne said his officers were on alert for illicit drugs coming through the international cargo and mail streams. “Regardless if it is meth built into books, toys or other methods of concealment, our officers use cutting edge detection equipment to prevent these illicit goods from making their way into the Australian community,” Superintendent Payne said. This case demonstrates the effective collaboration between ABF and AFP in protecting communities from harmful substances like methamphetamine. To learn more, visit the newsroom link here: https://lnkd.in/gU8RKbas

The Australian Border Force (ABF) and our partners continue to intensify the fight against illicit vapes, together seizing more than 5.2 million illegal vapes and vaping products so far this year, including 2 million since the implementation of new vaping laws on July 1. Working in collaboration with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and state and territory law enforcement and health agencies, these seizures represent a significant blow to the illegal vaping market. These goods, if sold illegally in the community, would have an estimated potential street value of more than $155 million. As Australia continues to lead the world on vaping regulation, the ABF remains dedicated to protecting the Australian border and preventing organised criminal networks profiting from illicit vaping products.