View source for Nauru Regional Processing Centre

{{short description|Offshore Australian immigration detention facility}}
{{Lead too long |date=May 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2016}}
{{Infobox prison
| name            = Nauru Regional Processing Centre
| image          = Nauru regional processing facility (7983320399).jpg
| caption        = Tents and cots from the Nauru offshore processing facility in September 2012
| pushpin_map = Nauru
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Nauru
| location       = [[Meneng District]], [[Nauru]]
| coordinates    = {{Coord|0|32|26|S|166|55|50|E|type:landmark_region:NR|display=inline,title}}
| status         = Open 
| classification = 
| capacity       = 
| population     = 107 ({{as of |2021|07|lc=y}})
| opened         = {{ubli
|{{Start date|2001}}
|{{Start date|2012}}
|{{Start date|2021}}
}}
| closed         = {{ubli
|{{End date|2008}}
|{{End date|2019}}
}}
| former_name    = 
| managed_by     = [[Government of Nauru]]<ref>"The Australian government does not run the Nauru Regional Processing Centre, or RPC. It is managed by the government of Nauru, under Nauruan law, with support from the Australian government." https://www.aph.gov.au/parliamentary_business/committees/senate/regional_processing_nauru/regional_processing_nauru/Final%20Report/c02 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811231416/https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Regional_processing_Nauru/Regional_processing_Nauru/Final%20Report/c02 |date=11 August 2020 }}</ref> 
| director       = 
| governor       = 
| warden         = 
| street-address = 
| city           = 
| county         = 
| state          = 
| postcode       = 
| zip            = 
| country        = Nauru
| website        = 
| prisoners      = 
}}

The '''Nauru Regional Processing Centre''' is an [[Australian immigration detention facilities|offshore Australian immigration detention facility]] that has been in use from 2001 to 2008, from 2012 to 2019, and from September 2021. It is located on the South Pacific island nation of [[Nauru]] and run by the [[Government of Nauru]]. The use of [[Australian immigration detention facilities|immigration detention facilities]] is part of a policy of [[mandatory detention in Australia]].

The Nauru facility was opened in 2001 as part of the [[Howard government]]'s [[Pacific Solution]]. The centre was suspended in 2008 to fulfil an election promise by the [[Rudd government (2007–10)|Rudd government]], but was reopened in August 2012 by the [[Gillard government]] after a large increase in the number of maritime arrivals by asylum seekers<ref name=gillard>{{cite news|work =The Guardian|title =Julia Gillard defends hardline asylum seeker policy in al-Jazeera interview|url =https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/nov/06/julia-gillard-defends-hardline-asylum-seeker-policy-in-al-jazeera-interview|date =6 November 2015|first =Shalailah|last =Medhora|access-date =5 January 2019|archive-date =29 April 2019|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20190429151004/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/nov/06/julia-gillard-defends-hardline-asylum-seeker-policy-in-al-jazeera-interview|url-status =live}}</ref> and pressure from the Abbott opposition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.news.com.au/national/tony-abbott-pushes-for-nauru-asylum-seeker-option-on-visit-to-island/story-e6frfkvr-1226073880300 |title=Tony Abbott pushes for Nauru asylum seeker option on visit to island |work=news.com.au |agency=HeraldSun,AAP |access-date=21 October 2017 |date=12 June 2011 |archive-date=6 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806212753/http://www.news.com.au/national/tony-abbott-pushes-for-nauru-asylum-seeker-option-on-visit-to-island/story-e6frfkvr-1226073880300 |url-status=live }}</ref> Current [[Coalition (Australia)|Coalition]] and [[Australian Labor Party|Labor Party]] policy states that because all detainees attempted to reach Australia by boat, they will never be settled in Australia,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1314/AsylumPolicies|title=A comparison of Coalition and Labor government asylum policies in Australia since 2001|date=28 February 2014|first=Janet|last=Phillips|website=Parliament of Australia|access-date=2019-09-27|archive-date=13 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913212230/https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1314/AsylumPolicies|url-status=live}}</ref> even though many of the asylum seekers detained on the island have been assessed as genuine refugees.<ref name="aph.gov.au">{{cite web|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1617/Quick_Guides/Offshore|title=Australia's offshore processing of asylum seekers in Nauru and PNG: a quick guide to statistics and resources|website=Parliament of Australia|date=19 December 2016|access-date=5 January 2019|df=dmy-all|archive-date=21 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221132238/https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1617/Quick_Guides/Offshore|url-status=live}}</ref>

The highest population at the centre was 1,233 detainees in August 2014. A number of detainees have since been returned to their countries of origin, including [[Iraq]] and [[Iran]].<ref name="aph.gov.au"/>

By November 2018, some refugees from Nauru (430 in total from both offshore facilities) had been resettled in the United States, but hopes of the United States taking more had faded. Although New Zealand had repeatedly offered to take 150 per year, the Australian Government refused. There were still 23 children on the island, as the government had bowed to public pressure and started removing families with children, after reports of suicidal behaviour and [[resignation syndrome]] had emerged.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/05/world/australia/nauru-island-asylum-refugees-children-suicide.html|title=The Nauru Experience: Zero-Tolerance Immigration and Suicidal Children|work=New York Times|date=5 November 2018|first1=Mridula|last1=Amin|first2=Isabella|last2=Kwai|access-date=5 January 2019|archive-date=1 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190201190031/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/05/world/australia/nauru-island-asylum-refugees-children-suicide.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2019, the last four children on the island (of an original 200 in detention on Nauru in 2013) were resettled in the United States with their families.<ref name=lastchildren>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/03/final-four-children-held-on-nauru-to-resettled-with-families-in-us|newspaper=The Guardian|date=3 February 2019|access-date=14 February 2019|title=Final four children held on Nauru to be resettled with their families in US|archive-date=14 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214115635/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/03/final-four-children-held-on-nauru-to-resettled-with-families-in-us|url-status=live}}</ref> By 31 March 2019, there were no people held in the detention centre, which had been closed;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newsroom.abf.gov.au/releases/operation-sovereign-borders-monthly-update-march-2019|title=Operation Sovereign Borders monthly update: March 2019 - Australian Border Force Newsroom|website=newsroom.abf.gov.au|access-date=2019-05-04|archive-date=14 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814123127/https://newsroom.abf.gov.au/releases/operation-sovereign-borders-monthly-update-march-2019|url-status=live}}</ref> however as of March 2020, there were 211 refugees and asylum seekers remaining on the island.<ref name="Armbruster 2020"/> As of 13 June 2020, a father and son were the last family left on Nauru; there was one single woman and the remaining people were single men.<ref name=lastfam>{{cite web| title=The last family on Nauru| website=The Saturday Paper| url=https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2020/06/13/the-last-refugee-family-nauru/15919704009966| first=Hannah| last=Ryan| format=text + podcast| date=13 June 2020| access-date=2 July 2020| archive-date=3 July 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703070318/https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2020/06/13/the-last-refugee-family-nauru/15919704009966| url-status=live}} [https://7ampodcast.com.au/episodes/the-last-family-on-nauru Podcast only] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702045750/https://7ampodcast.com.au/episodes/the-last-family-on-nauru |date=2 July 2020 }}</ref>

In 2020, over 100 men from Manus and Nauru were being detained in a hotel in [[Brisbane]], after being transferred to the mainland for medical treatment. They were confined to quarters under a lockdown during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Australia|COVID-19 pandemic]], and eventually released into the community in February 2021.

In September 2021 the Australian Government signed a new deal with Nauru to keep an ongoing form of asylum seeker processing centre on the island. There were around 107 asylum seekers remaining on Nauru as of July 2021.

==History==
===2001: Establishment===
[[File:Nauru regional processing facility (7983321642).jpg|thumb|right|200px|Outdoor sinks at the centre]]
[[File:Nauru regional processing facility (8001951174).jpg|thumb|right|200px|Central space]]
The establishment of an offshore processing centre on Nauru was based on a Statement of Principles, signed on 10 September 2001 by the President of Nauru, [[René Harris]], and Australia's Minister for Defence at the time, [[Peter Reith]]. The statement opened the way to establish a detention centre for up to 800 people and was accompanied by a pledge of {{AUD|20{{nbsp}}million|link=yes}}, equivalent to {{AUD|{{Inflation|AU|20|2001|r=1}}{{nbsp}}million}} in {{Inflation/year|AU}}, for development activities. The initial detainees were to be people [[Tampa affair|rescued]] by {{ship|MV|Tampa||6}}, with the understanding that they would leave Nauru by May 2002. Subsequently, a [[memorandum of understanding]] was signed on 11 December, boosting accommodation to 1,200 and the promised development activity by an additional {{AUD|10{{nbsp}}million}}.<ref name=oxfam>{{Cite journal |last=Oxfam |title=Adrift in the Pacific: The Implications of Australia's Pacific Refugee Solution |date=February 2002 |pages=9 |publisher=Oxfam |url=http://www.oxfam.org.au/campaigns/refugees/pacificsolution/adriftinthepacific_OCAA.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070326011637/http://www.oxfam.org.au/campaigns/refugees/pacificsolution/adriftinthepacific_OCAA.pdf |archive-date=26 March 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Initial plans were for asylum seekers to be housed in modern, air-conditioned housing which had been built for the games of the [[International Weightlifting Federation]]. This plan was changed after landowners' requests for extra compensation were rejected.<ref name=oxfam /> Two camps were built.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Dobell |first1=Graeme |last2=Downer |first2=Alexander |title=Nauru: holiday camp or asylum hell? |date=11 December 2001 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s437964.htm |access-date=13 February 2007 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |work=PM |archive-date=21 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221004728/http://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s437964.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The first camp, called ''Topside'', was at an old [[Meneng Stadium|sports ground and oval]] in the [[Meneng District]] ({{coord|0.540564|S|166.929703|E|region:NR_scale:25000|name=Camp Topside |display=inline |format=dec}}). The second camp, called ''State House'', was on the site of the old Presidential quarters also in the Meneng District ({{coord|0.547597|S|166.939697|E|region:NR_scale:25000|name=Camp State House |display=inline |format=dec}}).<ref name=oxfam /><!--<ref>{{cite web |last=THX1138 |title=Nauru Detention Centre Location |work=Google Answers |publisher=Google |date=7 July 2004 |url=http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=357508 |access-date=12 February 2007}}</ref>--><ref>{{cite web |last=Frysinger|first=Galen R. |title=Sketch map of Nauru|url=http://travel.galenfrysinger.com/publish/naurumap.JPG |access-date=12 February 2007 |date=16 July 2004 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040716061456/http://travel.galenfrysinger.com/publish/naurumap.JPG |archive-date=16 July 2004}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Bartlett |first=Andrew |title=Government-sponsored child abuse at the Nauru detention centres |journal=On Line Opinion |date=7 August 2003 |url=http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=603 |access-date=12 February 2007 |archive-date=27 August 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060827044138/http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=603 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Cloutier |first=Bernard |title=Nauru |year=1998 |url=http://berclo.net/page02/02en-nauru.html |access-date=12 February 2007 |archive-date=26 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926223651/http://berclo.net/page02/02en-nauru.html |url-status=live }}</ref> A month-long hunger strike began on 10 December 2003.<ref name="nraas">{{cite book |title=New Regionalism and Asylum Seekers: Challenges Ahead |last=Kneebone |first=Susan |author2=Felicity Rawlings-Sanaei |year=2007 |publisher=Berghahn Books |isbn=978-1845453442 |page=180 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LyhTHff9rIYC |access-date=25 July 2013 |archive-date=7 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307223643/https://books.google.com/books?id=LyhTHff9rIYC |url-status=live }}</ref> It included mostly [[Hazara people|Hazara]] from [[Afghanistan]] rescued during the [[Tampa affair]], who were protesting for a review of their cases.<ref>{{Cite web |last=King |first=Hanna |date=2021-09-30 |title=Hazara asylum seekers hunger strike on Nauru, 2003-2004 |url=https://commonslibrary.org/hazara-asylum-seekers-hunger-strike-on-nauru-2003-2004/ |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=The Commons Social Change Library |language=en-AU}}</ref>

By July 2005, 32 people were detained in Nauru as asylum seekers: 16 Iraqis, 11 Afghans, 2 Iranians, 2 Bangladeshis, and 1 Pakistani.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nauruwire.org |title=N A U R U |publisher=Nauruwire.org |date=31 January 1968 |access-date=25 November 2012 |archive-date=17 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717035337/http://www.nauruwire.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> All but two Iraqis were released to Australia, the last group of 25 leaving on 1 November 2005. The remaining two Iraqis stayed in custody for over a year. The last one was finally accepted by an undisclosed Scandinavian country after five years in detention, in January 2007. The other was in an Australian hospital at the time, and was later given permission to remain in Australia while his asylum case was being decided. In September 2006, a group of eight Burmese [[Rohingya]] men were transferred there from [[Christmas Island]].<ref>(30 September 2006) Samantha Hawley. [http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2006/s1752611.htm Burmese asylum seekers likely to achieve refugee status] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109090615/http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2006/s1752611.htm |date=9 January 2016 }}. AM. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 29 July 2013.</ref> On 15 March 2007 the Australian Government announced that 83 [[Tamil people|Tamils]] from [[Sri Lanka]] would be transferred from [[Christmas Island]] to the Nauru detention centre.<ref>{{cite news |title=Asylum seekers to be sent to Nauru |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200703/s1872527.htm |work=ABC Online News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=15 March 2007 |access-date=15 March 2007 |archive-date=6 January 2008 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20080106102632/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200703/s1872527.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> They arrived in Nauru by the end of the month.

===2007: Closing===
In December 2007, newly elected Australian Prime Minister [[Kevin Rudd]] announced that his country would no longer make use of the Nauru detention centre, and would put an immediate end to the [[Pacific Solution]]. The last remaining Burmese and Sri Lankan detainees were granted residency rights in Australia.<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/pacific-solution-ends-but-tough-stance-to-remain/2007/12/07/1196813021259.html « Pacific solution ends but tough stance to remain »] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071209132040/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/pacific-solution-ends-but-tough-stance-to-remain/2007/12/07/1196813021259.html |date=9 December 2007 }}, Craig Skehan, ''[[Sydney Morning Herald]]'', 8 December 2007</ref><ref>[http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22896712-5013871,00.html « Burmese detainees granted asylum »] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080211101259/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22896712-5013871,00.html |date=11 February 2008 }}, Cath Hart, ''[[The Australian]]'', 10 December 2007</ref> Nauru reacted with concern at the prospect of potentially losing much-needed aid from Australia.<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/nauru-fears-gap-when-camps-close/2007/12/10/1197135374481.html « Nauru fears gap when camps close »] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023210628/http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/nauru-fears-gap-when-camps-close/2007/12/10/1197135374481.html |date=23 October 2012 }}, ''[[The Age]]'', 11 December 2007</ref>

===2012: Reopening===
In August 2012, the Labor government led by Prime Minister [[Julia Gillard]] announced the resumption of the transfer of asylum seekers arriving by boat in Australia to Nauru (and [[Manus Regional Processing Centre|Manus Island]], PNG). Australia signed an initial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Nauru on 29 August 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Nauru and the Commonwealth of Australia, relating to the transfer to and assessment of persons in Nauru, and related issues, signed and entered into force 29 August 2012|url=http://www.kaldorcentre.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/MOU%202.pdf|access-date=4 March 2017|archive-date=20 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320214234/http://www.kaldorcentre.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/MOU%202.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The first group arrived the following month.<ref>Grubel, James [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-australia-asylum-idUSBRE88D07120120914 Australia reopens asylum detention in Nauru tent city 14 September 2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418130718/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-australia-asylum-idUSBRE88D07120120914 |date=18 April 2021 }} ''[[Reuters]]'' Retrieved 10 October 2015</ref><ref name="Work needed"/> The re-opening of the centres sparked criticism of Australia's Labor government after the United Nations refused to assist the government on the mandatory measures.<ref name="Work needed">{{cite news|url=http://bigpondnews.com/articles/National/2012/09/19/Work_needed_on_Nauru_detention_centre_796519.html |title=Work needed on Nauru detention centre |publisher=BigPond News |date=19 September 2012 |access-date=25 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021202533/http://bigpondnews.com/articles/National/2012/09/19/Work_needed_on_Nauru_detention_centre_796519.html |archive-date=21 October 2012 }}</ref><ref>(24 August 2012) Ben Packham. [http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/immigration/un-wont-work-with-labor-on-asylum-seeker-processing-on-nauru-and-manus-island/story-fn9hm1gu-1226457449222 UN won't work with Labor on asylum-seeker processing on Nauru and Manus Island] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921004624/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/immigration/un-wont-work-with-labor-on-asylum-seeker-processing-on-nauru-and-manus-island/story-fn9hm1gu-1226457449222 |date=21 September 2012 }}. ''The Australian''. News Limited. Retrieved 29 July 2013.</ref> In November 2012, an [[Amnesty International]] team visited the camp and described it as "a human rights catastrophe [...] a toxic mix of uncertainty, unlawful detention and inhumane conditions".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa42/002/2012/en/ |title=Nauru Camp A Human Rights Catastrophe With No End in Sight |format=PDF |date=23 November 2012 |publisher=Amnesty International |access-date=25 November 2012 |df=dmy-all |archive-date=10 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310065420/https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/ASA42/002/2012/en/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2012/s3637271.htm |title=Amnesty International slams Nauru facility |date=20 November 2012 |publisher=Amnesty International |access-date=25 November 2012 |archive-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228055403/http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2012/s3637271.htm |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The MOU between Nauru and Australia was renegotiated on 3 August 2013. Clause 12 of the 2013 MOU allows for resettlement of refugees in Nauru:
"The Republic of Nauru undertakes to enable Transferees who it determines are in need of international protection to settle in Nauru, subject to agreement between Participants on arrangements and numbers".<ref>[http://www.kaldorcentre.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/australia-nauru-mou-2013.pdf Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Nauru and the Commonwealth of Australia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320214148/http://www.kaldorcentre.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/australia-nauru-mou-2013.pdf |date=20 March 2017 }}, relating to the transfer to and assessment of persons in Nauru, and related issues, signed and entered into force 3 August 2013</ref>

=== July 2013: Riot ===
On 19 July 2013 a riot occurred at the detention centre and caused damage valued at {{AUD|60{{nbsp}}million}}, equivalent to {{AUD|{{Inflation|AU|60|2013|r=1}}{{nbsp}}million}} in {{Inflation/year|AU}}. Police and guards had rocks and sticks thrown at them. Four people were hospitalised with minor injuries.<ref name="riot damage">{{cite news| title=Photos of riot damage at Nauru detention centre released by Department of Immigration| url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-21/immigration-releases-photos-of-nauru-damage/4833274| access-date=21 July 2013| publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC)| date=21 July 2013| archive-date=22 July 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722111936/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-21/immigration-releases-photos-of-nauru-damage/4833274| url-status=live}}</ref> Other people were treated for bruising and cuts.<ref name="Police custody">{{cite news |title=Asylum seekers in police custody after riot at Nauru detention centre |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-20/asylum-seekers-in-police-custody-after-riot-at-nauru/4832876 |access-date=21 July 2013 |publisher=ABC (Australia) |date=21 July 2013 |archive-date=20 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720211558/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-20/asylum-seekers-in-police-custody-after-riot-at-nauru/4832876 |url-status=live }}</ref> The riot began at 3{{nbsp}}pm when the detainees staged a protest.<ref name=Hostage>{{cite news | title=Policeman 'held hostage' as rioting breaks out on Nauru | newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald | url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/policeman-held-hostage-as-rioting-breaks-out-on-nauru-20130719-2qa7n.html | date=19 July 2013 | author=Hall, Bianca | author2=Flitton, Daniel | access-date=21 July 2013 | archive-date=21 July 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721160845/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/policeman-held-hostage-as-rioting-breaks-out-on-nauru-20130719-2qa7n.html | url-status=live }} Retrieved 19 July 2013.</ref> Up to 200 detainees escaped and about 60<ref name="big & bad"/> were held overnight at the island's police station.<ref name="major disturbance">{{cite news|title=Police attend full-scale riot at asylum seeker detention centre on Nauru|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-19/police-called-to-major-disturbance-at-detention-centre-on-nauru/4832268|access-date=19 July 2013|publisher=ABC (Australia)|date=19 July 2013|archive-date=19 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719123809/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-19/police-called-to-major-disturbance-at-detention-centre-on-nauru/4832268|url-status=live}}</ref> Several vehicles<ref name="Dozens charged">{{cite news| title=Dozens charged after Nauru detention riot| url=http://www.news.com.au/national-news/dozens-charged-after-nauru-detention-riot/story-fncynjr2-1226682456715| access-date=21 July 2013| newspaper=news.com.au| date=21 July 2013| archive-date=21 July 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721072833/http://www.news.com.au/national-news/dozens-charged-after-nauru-detention-riot/story-fncynjr2-1226682456715| url-status=live}}</ref> and buildings including accommodation blocks for up to 600 people, offices, dining room, and the health centre were destroyed by fire, equating to about 80 percent of the centre's buildings.<ref name="riot damage"/><ref name="big & bad">{{cite news| last=Staff| title=Nauru detention centre riot 'biggest, baddest ever'| url=http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/nauru-detention-centre-riot-biggest-baddest-ever-20130720-2qaok.html| access-date=20 July 2013| newspaper=[[The Age]]| date=20 July 2013| agency=AAP| archive-date=21 July 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721185949/http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/nauru-detention-centre-riot-biggest-baddest-ever-20130720-2qaok.html| url-status=live}} Retrieved 20 July 2013.</ref> 129 of 545 male detainees were identified as being involved in the rioting and were detained in the police watch house.<ref name="riot damage"/>

In October 2015 Nauru declared that the asylum seekers housed in the detention centre now had freedom of movement around the island. Given reports that three women had been raped and numerous other assaults have taken place against asylum seekers, it was reported that this might actually increase the amount of danger to them.<ref>Allard, Tom [http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/naurus-move-to-open-its-detention-centre-makes-it-more-dangerous-for-asylum-seekers-20151008-gk4kbt.html Nauru's move to open its detention centre makes it "more dangerous" for asylum seekers October 9, 2015] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011022929/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/naurus-move-to-open-its-detention-centre-makes-it-more-dangerous-for-asylum-seekers-20151008-gk4kbt.html |date=11 October 2015 }} ''[[Sydney Morning Herald]]'' Retrieved 10 October 2015</ref>

=== November 2016: United States resettlement deal ===
{{further|Australia–United States relations#Trump administration}}
In November 2016 it was announced that a deal had been made with the [[United States]] to resettle people in detention on Nauru and Manus Islands.<ref name="abc-us-resettle">{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Stephanie |last2=Keany |first2=Francis |title=PM unveils 'one-off' refugee resettlement deal with US |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-13/australia-announces-refugee-resettlement-deal-with-us/8021120 |access-date=4 February 2017 |work=ABC News |date=13 November 2016 |archive-date=3 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203160813/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-13/australia-announces-refugee-resettlement-deal-with-us/8021120 |url-status=live }}; Andrew & Renata Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, [http://www.kaldorcentre.unsw.edu.au/publication/australia%E2%80%93united-states-resettlement-arrangement Factsheet: Australia–United States Resettlement Arrangement] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228080411/http://www.kaldorcentre.unsw.edu.au/publication/australia%E2%80%93united-states-resettlement-arrangement |date=28 February 2017 }}, Retrieved 28 February 2017.</ref> There is very little public information available about how many of these refugees will be resettled by the United States; initial reports however estimated up to 1,250 refugees would be resettled from Nauru and Manus Island.{{update inline |date=June 2025}}<ref name="abc.net.au">Stephanie Anderson and Julie Doyle, '[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-27/us-australia-deal-refugees-yet-to-be-vetted/8306138 Nauru and Manus Island refugees yet to be vetted under US-Australia deal'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228083544/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-27/us-australia-deal-refugees-yet-to-be-vetted/8306138 |date=28 February 2017 }}, ''ABC News'', 27 March 2017.</ref> Prime Minister [[Malcolm Turnbull]] indicated that the priority is "very much on the most vulnerable",<ref>Stephanie Anderson, Francis Keany, 'Malcolm [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-13/australia-announces-refugee-resettlement-deal-with-us/8021120 Turnbull, Peter Dutton announce refugee resettlement deal with US] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203160813/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-13/australia-announces-refugee-resettlement-deal-with-us/8021120 |date=3 February 2017 }}', ''ABC News'', 13 November 2016.</ref> particularly families on Nauru. On 27 February 2017, the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection told a Senate Estimates Committee that preliminary screening had started as part of the resettlement deal, but officials from the [[United States Department of Homeland Security]] had not yet been authorised to start formally vetting applicants.<ref name="abc.net.au"/>

===February 2019: The Last children off Nauru, Medevac bill passed===
On 3 February 2019, prime minister [[Scott Morrison]] announced that the last four families with children left on Nauru were about to leave for the US. They would be the last of the more than 200 children who had been held on the island when the [[Coalition (Australia)|Coalition]] won government in 2013.<ref name=lastchildren/>

On 13 February 2019, a bill which became known as the [[Immigration detention in Australia#Medevac bill|Medevac bill]] was narrowly passed by the Australian parliament allowing doctors to have more say in the process by which asylum seekers on Manus and Nauru may be [[Medical evacuation|medically evacuated]] and brought to the mainland for treatment. The approval of two doctors is required, but approval may still be overridden by the [[Minister for Home Affairs (Australia)|Minister for Home Affairs]] in one of three areas. Human rights advocates hailed the decision, with one calling it a {{incomprehensible span |date=June 2025 |reason=What does this mean? There is a tipping point that is a country?!?! Does nonsense like that need to be said here? What does it add? |text="tipping point as a country",}} with the weight of public opinion believing that {{vague |date=June 2025 |reason=Where do they need to be treated? In Nauru? |text=sick people need treatment.}}<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/13/nine-facts-about-the-medical-evacuation-bill|first=Katharine|last=Murphy|title=Nine facts about the medical evacuation bill|access-date=14 February 2019|archive-date=14 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214042226/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/13/nine-facts-about-the-medical-evacuation-bill|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/12/world/australia/manus-nauru-detainees.html|title=Australia to Allow Medical Evacuation for Nauru and Manus Island Detainees|first=Isabella|last=Kwai|date=12 February 2019|access-date=14 February 2019|archive-date=14 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214001237/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/12/world/australia/manus-nauru-detainees.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=The Conversation|url=https://theconversation.com/explainer-how-will-the-medevac-bill-actually-affect-ill-asylum-seekers-111645|first1=Nicholas|last1=Procter|first2=Mary Anne|last2=Kenny|title=Explainer: how will the 'medevac' bill actually affect ill asylum seekers?|date=13 February 2019|access-date=14 February 2019|archive-date=13 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213232115/https://theconversation.com/explainer-how-will-the-medevac-bill-actually-affect-ill-asylum-seekers-111645|url-status=live}}</ref>

===August–September 2019: update on numbers===
The Australian Government reported that as of 28 August 2019 there were 288 people left on Nauru; 330 had been resettled in the US; and another 85 people had been approved for resettlement in the US, but had not yet left.<ref>{{cite web | last=Chia | first=Joyce | title=Offshore processing statistics and Operation Sovereign Borders | website=Refugee Council of Australia | date=27 October 2019 | url=https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/operation-sovereign-borders-offshore-detention-statistics/2/ | access-date=20 February 2020 | archive-date=29 February 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229214302/https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/operation-sovereign-borders-offshore-detention-statistics/2/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

It was reported that as of 30 September, the total number of asylum seekers left in PNG and Nauru was 562 (23 percent of the peak, in June 2014), and another 1,117 people had been "temporarily transferred to Australia for medical treatment or as accompanying family members". Numbers for each facility were not given separately.<ref name=senateoct19>{{cite web|url=https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/committees/estimate/48ea734a-e5f8-4bc6-813e-1f22b32a238a/toc_pdf/Legal%20and%20Constitutional%20Affairs%20Legislation%20Committee_2019_10_21_7290_Official.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf#search=%22committees/estimate/48ea734a-e5f8-4bc6-813e-1f22b32a238a/0000%22|page=76|title=Estimates|author=Australian Government. Senate. Legal And Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee|date=21 October 2019|quote=Proof Committee Hansard|access-date=21 November 2019|journal=|archive-date=27 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427035326/https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/committees/estimate/48ea734a-e5f8-4bc6-813e-1f22b32a238a/toc_pdf/Legal%20and%20Constitutional%20Affairs%20Legislation%20Committee_2019_10_21_7290_Official.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf#search=%22committees/estimate/48ea734a-e5f8-4bc6-813e-1f22b32a238a/0000%22|url-status=live}}</ref>

===March–May 2020===
In March 2020, Home Affairs told the [[Australian Senate committees|Senate estimates committee]] that "211 refugees and asylum seekers remained on Nauru, 228 in Papua New Guinea, and about 1,220, including their dependents, were in Australia to receive medical treatment". Transfer and resettlement of approved refugees in the US was proceeding during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="Armbruster 2020">{{cite web | last=Armbruster | first=Stefan | title=Dozens of refugees flown from Australia and PNG to US despite coronavirus travel bans | website=SBS News | date=21 May 2020 | url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/dozens-of-refugees-flown-from-australia-and-png-to-us-despite-coronavirus-travel-bans | access-date=30 May 2020 | archive-date=30 May 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530001613/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/dozens-of-refugees-flown-from-australia-and-png-to-us-despite-coronavirus-travel-bans | url-status=live }}</ref>

===June 2020: Brisbane===
{{As of |2020|06}}, over 100 men from Manus and Nauru were being detained in an hotel in [[Kangaroo Point, Queensland|Kangaroo Point]] in Brisbane, after being transferred to the mainland for medical treatment. They were confined to quarters under a [[lockdown]] during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Australia|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Refugees detained in Brisbane deny claims activists have endangered their safety | first=Hannah | last=Ryan | website=the Guardian | date=19 June 2020 | url=http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jun/19/refugees-detained-in-brisbane-deny-claims-activists-have-endangered-their-safety | access-date=3 July 2020 | archive-date=3 July 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703094542/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jun/19/refugees-detained-in-brisbane-deny-claims-activists-have-endangered-their-safety | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Refugee advocates flout coronavirus restrictions to protest in Brisbane against detention| first=Nibir| last=Khan| website=ABC News| publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation| date=21 June 2020| url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-21/refugee-detained-in-brisbane-hotel-describes-pain-and-sadness/12377532| access-date=3 July 2020| archive-date=23 June 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623112605/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-21/refugee-detained-in-brisbane-hotel-describes-pain-and-sadness/12377532| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Brisbane priest speaks out against government plans to cut 'lifeline' for refugees and asylum seekers in detention | website=The Catholic Leader | first=Peter | last=Bugden | date=3 July 2020 | url=https://catholicleader.com.au/news/brisbane-priest-speaks-out-against-government-plans-to-cut-lifeline-for-refugees-and-asylum-seekers-in-detention | access-date=3 July 2020 | archive-date=3 July 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703065421/https://catholicleader.com.au/news/brisbane-priest-speaks-out-against-government-plans-to-cut-lifeline-for-refugees-and-asylum-seekers-in-detention | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Access to phones key for asylum seekers | website=Eureka Street | date=2 June 2020 | url=https://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article/access-to-phones-key-for-asylum-seekers | access-date=3 July 2020 | archive-date=10 June 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610121927/https://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article/access-to-phones-key-for-asylum-seekers | url-status=live }}</ref> The men held protests from their balconies, and protesters gathered outside on several occasions.<ref>{{cite web | last1=Lynch | first1=Lydia | last2=Dennien | first2=Matt | title=Protests at Brisbane's makeshift detention centre set to ramp up on Friday | website=Brisbane Times | date=8 May 2020 | url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/protests-at-brisbane-s-makeshift-detention-centre-set-to-ramp-up-on-friday-20200508-p54r26.html | access-date=3 July 2020 | archive-date=3 July 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703070253/https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/protests-at-brisbane-s-makeshift-detention-centre-set-to-ramp-up-on-friday-20200508-p54r26.html | url-status=live }}</ref> The 25 men were released into the community in February 2021.<ref>{{cite web | author=Australian Associated Press | title=Calls for refugees released from Brisbane hotel detention to be given emergency housing | website=The Guardian | date=1 March 2021 | url=http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/mar/01/calls-for-refugees-released-from-brisbane-hotel-detention-to-be-given-emergency-housing | access-date=22 October 2021 | archive-date=24 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024192806/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/mar/01/calls-for-refugees-released-from-brisbane-hotel-detention-to-be-given-emergency-housing | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Ruddick | first=Baz | title=Detainees released from immigration detention speak about their dreams for the future | website=ABC News | publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] | date=2 March 2021 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-03/queensland-detainees-released-immigration-detention/13207724 | access-date=22 October 2021 | archive-date=22 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022015158/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-03/queensland-detainees-released-immigration-detention/13207724 | url-status=live }}</ref>

===September 2021: New Agreement===
In September 2021, the Minister for Home Affairs signed a new deal with Nauru to keep an ongoing form of asylum seeker processing centre on the island.<ref>{{cite web | last=Doherty | first=Ben | title=Australia signs deal with Nauru to keep asylum seeker detention centre open indefinitely | website=The Guardian | date=24 September 2021 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/24/australia-signs-deal-with-nauru-to-keep-asylum-seeker-detention-centre-open-indefinitely | access-date=22 October 2021 | archive-date=22 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022041641/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/24/australia-signs-deal-with-nauru-to-keep-asylum-seeker-detention-centre-open-indefinitely | url-status=live }}</ref>

On 6 October 2021, the Australian Government passed responsibility for the remaining 124 men on PNG to the PNG Government. The remaining men were told that their options were either to transfer to Nauru or resettle in PNG.<ref>{{cite web | last=Doherty | first=Ben | title=Australia to end offshore processing in Papua New Guinea | website=The Guardian | date=6 October 2021 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/oct/06/australia-to-end-offshore-processing-in-papua-new-guinea | access-date=22 October 2021 | archive-date=22 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022000414/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/oct/06/australia-to-end-offshore-processing-in-papua-new-guinea | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Australia 'might just try to walk away' from PNG asylum seekers | first=Lucinda | last=Garbutt-Young | publisher=UTS | website=Central News | date=6 October 2021 | url=https://centralnews.com.au/2021/10/06/australia-might-just-try-to-walk-away-from-png-asylum-seekers/ | access-date=22 October 2021 | archive-date=22 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022013356/https://centralnews.com.au/2021/10/06/australia-might-just-try-to-walk-away-from-png-asylum-seekers/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The official number of asylum seekers on Nauru was 107 on 31 July 2021.<ref>{{cite web | title=Offshore processing statistics | website=Refugee Council of Australia | date=27 October 2019 | url=https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/operation-sovereign-borders-offshore-detention-statistics/2/ | access-date=22 October 2021 | archive-date=29 February 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229214302/https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/operation-sovereign-borders-offshore-detention-statistics/2/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Faa | first=Marian | website=ABC News | title=Australia to stop processing asylum seekers in PNG but government's refugee policy unchanged | date=6 October 2021 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-06/australia-stop-processing-asylum-seekers-in-png-manus/100517926 | access-date=22 October 2021 | archive-date=22 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022020702/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-06/australia-stop-processing-asylum-seekers-in-png-manus/100517926 | url-status=live }}</ref> The operators of the facility, Canstruct, made a profit of at least {{AUD|500,000}} per detainee in the financial year ending mid-2021. {{As of|2022|02}} there were 115 held by Australia on Nauru, costing the government more than {{AUD|4{{nbsp}}million}} per year per asylum seeker (equating to nearly {{AUD|12,000}} per day).<ref name=canstruct2021profit/>

===2023: Indefinite Detention Ruled Unlawful===
On 8 November 2023, the [[High Court of Australia|High Court]] of Australia ruled that it was unlawful for people to be indefinitely detained in immigration detention, twenty years after it had ruled it constitutionally valid.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indefinite immigration detention unlawful: High Court rules |url=https://www.unsw.edu.au/news/2023/11/indefinite-immigration-detention-unlawful-high-court-rules |website=UNSW Sydney |access-date=26 December 2023 |language=en |date=8 November 2023}}</ref>

On 7 September 2023, eleven people, the first in nine years, were transferred to the detention centre.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Connaughton |first1=Maddison |last2=Farrell |first2=Paul |title=A teenager is among the first boat arrivals sent to Nauru in nine years |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-27/nauru-new-group-detained-processing-centre/103014910 |website=ABC News |date=26 October 2023 |access-date=26 December 2023}}</ref>

==Operators==
Between 2012 and October 2017, [[Broadspectrum]] (formerly known as Transfield Services) subcontracted [[Wilson Security]] to perform the operations at Manus and Nauru. In September 2016 Wilson announced that it would be withdrawing at the end of its contract in October 2017, citing damage to its reputation,<ref>{{cite web | last=Wiggins | first=Jenny | title=Wilson Security pulls out of detention centres after Nauru, Manus protests | website=[[Australian Financial Review]] | date=1 September 2016 | url=https://www.afr.com/companies/wilson-security-pulls-out-of-detention-centres-after-nauru-manus-protests-20160901-gr6qwd | access-date=7 March 2022 | archive-date=7 March 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307053705/https://www.afr.com/companies/wilson-security-pulls-out-of-detention-centres-after-nauru-manus-protests-20160901-gr6qwd | url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Ferrovial]], major owner of Broadspectrum, also announced that it would cease providing services to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection at the same date.<ref>{{cite web | title=Wilson Security to leave detention centres | website=9News | date=2 September 2016 | url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/wilson-calls-time-on-camp-security/a96a43ae-eda6-45a5-9b0f-8629ddb6daad | access-date=7 March 2022 | archive-date=7 March 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307053703/https://www.9news.com.au/national/wilson-calls-time-on-camp-security/a96a43ae-eda6-45a5-9b0f-8629ddb6daad | url-status=live }}</ref>

In January 2017, the [[Australian National Audit Office]]   published an audit of the government's contract management of security and support services at the offshore processing centres. The report found "the Department of Immigration and Border Protection's management of the garrison support and welfare services contracts at the offshore processing centres... has fallen well short of effective contract management practice."{{quote without source |date=June 2025}} It went on to highlight several weaknesses and gave three recommendations.<ref>{{cite book| url= https://www.anao.gov.au/work/performance-audit/offshore-processing-centres-nauru-and-papua-new-guinea-contract-management| title= Offshore Processing Centres in Nauru and Papua New Guinea: Contract Management of Garrison Support and Welfare Services| date= 2016| author= [[Australian National Audit Office]]| issn= 2203-0352| isbn= 978-1-76033-215-0| others= Published online 17 January 2017.| publisher= Australian National Audit Office| access-date= 7 March 2022| archive-date= 7 March 2022| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220307055007/https://www.anao.gov.au/work/performance-audit/offshore-processing-centres-nauru-and-papua-new-guinea-contract-management| url-status= live}} [https://www.anao.gov.au/sites/default/files/ANAO_Report_2016-2017_32.pdf PDF] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404230644/https://www.anao.gov.au/sites/default/files/ANAO_Report_2016-2017_32.pdf |date=4 April 2021 }}</ref>

In October 2017, the [[Brisbane]] firm [[Canstruct International]] {{vague |date=June 2025 |reason=contract for what? Unless stated, this passage serves very little purpose |text=signed a contract with the Australian Government, initially worth over {{AUD|591{{nbsp}}million}}.}} The company made more than {{AUD|43{{nbsp}}million}} profit{{for what? |date=June 2025}} it its first financial year (ending 30 June 2018).{{fact |date=June 2025}} It was intended that control should be handed over to a Nauruan Government commercial entity, the Nauru Regional Processing Centre Corporation on 31 October, but {{vague |date=June 2025 |reason=to which date, and why does this need to be said here? It really isn't clear, so please explain |text=the date was pushed forward.}}<ref name="guardian6">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/15/brisbane-construction-firm-made-43m-profit-running-nauru-detention-centre-last-year|title=Brisbane construction firm Canstruct made $43m profit running Nauru detention centre last year|date=November 15, 2018|access-date=May 12, 2019|author=Helen Davidson|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|archive-date=12 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512072957/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/15/brisbane-construction-firm-made-43m-profit-running-nauru-detention-centre-last-year|url-status=live}}</ref> At the time of the handover to Canstruct, the company had assets of {{AUD|8}}. In the financial year ending mid-2021, Canstruct made a profit of {{AUD|101{{nbsp}}million}}, which works out to over {{AUD|500,000}} for each detainee (then numbering fewer than 200).<ref name=canstruct2021profit>{{cite web | last=Doherty | first=Ben | title=Nauru detention centre operator makes $101m profit – at least $500,000 for each detainee | website=[[The Guardian]] | date=11 February 2022 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/12/nauru-detention-centre-operator-makes-101m-profit-at-least-500000-for-each-detainee | access-date=7 March 2022 | archive-date=7 March 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307022204/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/12/nauru-detention-centre-operator-makes-101m-profit-at-least-500000-for-each-detainee | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Conditions and human rights issues==
On 19 July 2013, there was a major riot in the detention centre. Several buildings were destroyed by fire, and damage was estimated at {{AUD|60{{nbsp}}million}}. [[Hunger strike]]s and [[self-harm]], including detainees sewing their lips together,<ref name=abc-lips>{{cite news |title=Nauru detainees stitch lips together |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-20/nauru-detainees-stitch-lips-together/4528878 |access-date=26 May 2014 |newspaper=ABC News |date=20 February 2013 |location=Australia |archive-date=28 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528005649/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-20/nauru-detainees-stitch-lips-together/4528878 |url-status=live }}</ref> have been reported at the facility, as well as at least two people [[Self-immolation|setting themselves on fire]].<ref name=abc-fire>{{cite news |title=Second refugee at Australian detention centre in Nauru sets herself on fire |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/02/second-refugee-sets-themselves-alight-on-nauru |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=18 August 2018 |archive-date=19 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819011212/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/02/second-refugee-sets-themselves-alight-on-nauru |url-status=live }}</ref> Other attempted suicides were also reported.<ref name="nme"/> Medical staff have been provided by [[International Organization for Migration]].

[[File:Nauru RPC population.png|thumb|Graph of detainee population by month at the Nauru Regional Processing Centre since the commencement of Operation Sovereign Borders in September 2013]]
An overwhelming sense of despair has been repeatedly expressed by detainees because of the uncertainty of their situation and their remoteness from loved ones.<ref name="ytbf">{{cite book |title=Yearning to Breathe Free: Seeking Asylum in Australia |last=Gordon |first=Michael |chapter=The Pacific Solution |editor1-first=Dean |editor1-last=Lusher |editor2-first=Nick |editor2-last=Haslam |year=2007 |publisher=Federation Press |isbn=978-1862876569 |page=79 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K0qnQyVGjEwC |access-date=24 July 2013 |archive-date=13 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213155533/https://books.google.com/books?id=K0qnQyVGjEwC |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2013, a veteran nurse described the detention centre as "like a concentration camp".<ref name="nme">{{Cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/national-news/nurse-likens-nauru-to-concentration-camp/story-fncynjr2-1226571195124 |title=Nurse Marianne Evers likens Nauru detention centre to concentration camp |author=AAP |access-date=25 July 2013 |date=5 February 2013 |work=news.com.au |publisher=News Limited }}</ref>

In 2015, several staff members from the detention centre wrote an open letter claiming that multiple instances of sexual abuse against women and children had occurred.<ref name="aasw-open-ltr">{{cite web |last1=Gordon |first1=Dr. Michael |last2=Gunn |first2=Tobias |last3=Juratowitch |first3=Dr. Rodney |last4=Kenney |first4=Jarrod |last5=Maree |first5=E. |last6=Tacey |first6=Hamish |last7=Vibhakar |first7=Viktoria |display-authors=etal |title=An Open Letter to the Australian People |url=https://www.aasw.asn.au/document/item/7290 |website=www.aasw.asn.au |publisher=Australian Association of Social Workers |access-date=21 October 2017 |date=7 April 2015 |archive-date=17 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417025436/https://www.aasw.asn.au/document/item/7290 |url-status=live }}</ref> The letter claimed that the Australian Government had been aware of these claimed abuses for over 18 months.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2015/04/07/nauru-workers-say-govt-knew-about-abuse.html |title=Nauru workers say govt knew about abuse |publisher=Australian News Channel Pty |work=skynews.com.au |date=7 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717140725/http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2015/04/07/nauru-workers-say-govt-knew-about-abuse.html |archive-date=17 July 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> This letter added weight to the Moss review which found it possible that "guards had traded marijuana for sexual favours with asylum seeker children".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/03/20/report-condemns-nauru-detention-centre-conditions |title=Report condemns Nauru detention centre conditions |work=SBS News |date=5 October 2015 |access-date=5 October 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924140305/http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/03/20/report-condemns-nauru-detention-centre-conditions |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.immi.gov.au/about/dept-info/_files/review-conditions-circumstances-nauru.pdf|title=Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection|access-date=5 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405070134/http://www.immi.gov.au/about/dept-info/_files/review-conditions-circumstances-nauru.pdf|archive-date=5 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/rapes-sexual-assault-drugs-for-favours-in-australias-detention-centre-on-nauru-independent-moss-review-20150320-1m46za.html|title=Rapes, sexual assault, drugs for favours in Australia's detention centre on Nauru: independent Moss review|last=correspondent|first=Heath Aston, political|date=2015-03-20|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|access-date=2019-09-27|archive-date=27 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927090053/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/rapes-sexual-assault-drugs-for-favours-in-australias-detention-centre-on-nauru-independent-moss-review-20150320-1m46za.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2018, reports of children engaging in self-harm and attempting suicide drew attention back to the conditions at the centre. Children as young as eight were documented as exhibiting suicidal behaviours, and an estimated 30 children were described as suffering from [[resignation syndrome]], a supposedly progressive, deteriorating psychiatric condition. Extreme trauma experienced both in their country of origin and in their daily lives at the camp, coupled with a sense of hopelessness and abandonment, contributed to the onset of this condition.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harrison |first1=Virginia |title=Nauru refugees: The island where children have given up on life |work=BBC News |date=31 August 2018 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45327058 |access-date=16 February 2019 |archive-date=11 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111215155/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45327058 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Media access===
Media access to the island of Nauru, and the Regional Processing Centre in particular, is tightly controlled by the Nauruan government. In January 2014, the Nauru government announced it was raising the cost of a media visa to the island from {{AUD|200}} to {{AUD|8,000}}, non-refundable if the visa was not granted.<ref name="visafee">{{cite news|title=Nauru media visa fee hike to 'cover up harsh conditions at Australian tax-payer funded detention centre'|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-09/nauru-visa-fee-increase-censorship/5191108|access-date=22 June 2016|work=ABC News|date=9 January 2014|archive-date=14 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714142438/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-09/nauru-visa-fee-increase-censorship/5191108|url-status=live}}</ref> Since then journalists from [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]], the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]], [[SBS (Australian TV channel)|SBS]] and [[The Guardian]] have stated that they have applied for media visas with no success. The last journalist to visit the island before the commencement of [[Operation Sovereign Borders]] was Nick Bryant of the [[BBC]].<ref name="mediawatch">{{cite news|title=Exclusive Nauru access for The Australian|url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s4339385.htm|access-date=22 June 2016|work=Media Watch|publisher=ABC|date=26 October 2015|archive-date=20 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620130050/http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s4339385.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2014 the National Security Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) made it a crime, punishable with up to a 10-year prison sentence, to disclose any special intelligence operation, including relating to asylum seekers. This provided little protection to journalists seeking to report on information from whistle-blowers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pen-international.org/app/uploads/archive/2016/10/Resolution-on-Australia-ENG.pdf|title=PEN International Resolution on Australia|date=October 2016|access-date=19 February 2019|website=PEN International|archive-date=20 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220062858/https://pen-international.org/app/uploads/archive/2016/10/Resolution-on-Australia-ENG.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> It caused professional [[journalism|journalists]] as well as [[teachers]] and [[health professional]]s employed in these detention centres, to be silenced.<ref name=PEN>{{cite web|url=https://pen-international.org/news/australia-process-kurdish-iranian-journalists-asylum-claim-1|website=PEN International|title=Australia: Process Kurdish Iranian journalist's asylum claim|date=10 November 2016|access-date=14 February 2019|archive-date=14 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214054424/https://pen-international.org/news/australia-process-kurdish-iranian-journalists-asylum-claim-1|url-status=live}}</ref> Journalists were prevented from entering or reporting and staff members were gagged under [[wikt:draconian|draconian]] employment contracts that prevented them from speaking about anything happening in Australia's offshore detention centre, under threat of a prison sentence.<ref name=refalt>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629015626/http://www.refugeealternatives.org.au/behrouz-boochani/|title=Behrouz Boochani|date=23 January 2017|website=Refugee Alternatives|archive-date=29 June 2017|access-date=19 February 2019|url-status=dead|url=https://refugeealternatives.org.au/behrouz-boochani/}}</ref> The Secrecy and Disclosure Provisions of the 1 July 2015 Australian Border Force Act ruled that workers who spoke of any incidents from within one of the centres would receive a two-year prison sentence. This was later watered down in amendments put forward by Peter Dutton in August 2017, after doctors and other health professionals had mounted a [[High Court|high court]] challenge.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=ABC News|access-date=19 February 2019|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-27/what-are-the-secrecy-provisions-of-the-border-force-act/7663608|title=What are the secrecy provisions of the Border Force Act?|date=27 Jul 2016|archive-date=17 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917002633/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-27/what-are-the-secrecy-provisions-of-the-border-force-act/7663608|url-status=live}}</ref> The amendments would apply retrospectively and stipulated that the secrecy provision would only apply to information that could compromise Australia's security, defence or international relations, interfere with criminal investigations offences, or affect sensitive personal or commercial matters.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/aug/14/dutton-retreats-on-offshore-detention-secrecy-rules-that-threaten-workers-with-jail|first=Gareth|last=Hutchens|title=Dutton retreats on offshore detention secrecy rules that threaten workers with jail|access-date=19 February 2019|archive-date=19 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190219130244/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/aug/14/dutton-retreats-on-offshore-detention-secrecy-rules-that-threaten-workers-with-jail|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2015, [[Chris Kenny]], a political commentator for ''[[The Australian]]'', became the first Australian journalist to visit Nauru in over 18 months. While on the island, Kenny interviewed a Somali refugee known as "Abyan", who alleged she had been raped on Nauru and requested an abortion of the resulting pregnancy. Pamela Curr of the [[Asylum Seeker Resource Centre]] accused Kenny of forcing his way into Abyan's quarters to speak to her—a claim Kenny strongly denied.<ref name="mediawatch" /> In June 2016, the Press Council of Australia dismissed a complaint regarding the wording of his article and its headline.<ref name="presscouncil">{{cite web|title=Adjudication 1679: Complainant/The Australian (June 2016)|url=http://www.presscouncil.org.au/document-search/adj-1679/|publisher=Press Council of Australia|access-date=22 June 2016|archive-date=15 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615221307/https://www.presscouncil.org.au/document-search/adj-1679/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2016, a television crew from ''[[A Current Affair (Australian TV series)|A Current Affair]]'' was granted access to the island and the centre. Reporter Caroline Marcus presented asylum seekers housed in fully equipped demountable units, and provided with their own television, microwave, airconditioning units and refrigerator. In a column in ''[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]'' and an interview with ''ACA'' host [[Tracy Grimshaw]], Marcus denied that there were any conditions on the crew's visit, and stated that the Australian government had been unaware of the crew being granted visas until after they had arrived on the island.<ref name="schipp">{{cite news|last1=Schipp|first1=Debbie|title=Inside Nauru: 'You make a nice prison, it's still a prison'|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/current-affairs/inside-nauru-you-make-a-nice-prison-its-still-a-prison/news-story/b73a9ace5a303a49af9a2e0f4064cbf5|access-date=22 June 2016|work=news.com.au|agency=News Corp Australia|date=21 June 2016|archive-date=21 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621123154/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/current-affairs/inside-nauru-you-make-a-nice-prison-its-still-a-prison/news-story/b73a9ace5a303a49af9a2e0f4064cbf5|url-status=live}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Asylum in Australia]]
* [[Manus Regional Processing Centre]]
* [[List of Australian immigration detention facilities]]
* [[Operation Sovereign Borders]]
* [[Pacific solution]]
* [[PNG solution]]
* [[Immigrant health in Australia]]
{{Clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist |30em}}

== Further reading ==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20041009232954/http://www.dfat.gov.au/media/releases/foreign/2001/fa177_01.html Department of Foreign Affairs and trade – MOU on Asylum Seekers Signed with Nauru, 11 Dec 2001]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080411141507/http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/legcon_ctte/migration_unauthorised_arrivals/submissions/sub53.pdf Pictures inside the detention centre] in the submission by Ms Elaine Smith to the ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20080211220153/http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/legcon_ctte/migration_unauthorised_arrivals/ Inquiry into the provisions of the Migration Amendment (Designated Unauthorised Arrivals) Bill 2006]''

{{Subject bar |auto=y |portal1=Nauru |portal2=Australia |portal3=Law |portal4=Society }}
{{Nauru topics}}

[[Category:Government buildings in Nauru]]
[[Category:Law of Nauru]]
[[Category:Australia–Nauru relations]]
[[Category:2001 establishments in Nauru]]
[[Category:Human rights in Oceania]]
[[Category:Immigration detention centres and prisons of Australia]]
[[Category:Human rights in Australia]]
[[Category:Right of asylum in Australia]]
[[Category:Australian diaspora]]