Be careful of your laptop content while visiting Australia

In January this year, an Indian citizen visiting Australia was charged with carrying child pornography on his mobile phones. He was sentenced to 2-months jail time post which he will be deported.

The Australian Border Force has been apprehending a surging number of defaulters in recent times. Under Australian Law, possession of objectionable material on your phone or laptop is viewed very seriously.

What is illegal/banned under Australian Law?

Australian Laws ban the below materials:

• Child pornography
• Sexual violence
• Bestiality
• Degradation
• Cruelty and non-consensual sex
• Drug misuse
• Terrorist Acts

As per the ABF website, any material that goes against decency, morality, and propriety is illegal in Australia.

What is the penalty imposed for violating this law?

Violators carrying objectionable material on their phones or laptops can face up to 10 years of jail time. Also, they may face confiscation of their electronic devices and fines up to $525,000.

How is the law implemented?

While travelling to Australia, all visitors are required to fill out the Incoming Passenger Card which is a legal document. They are required to identify themselves and declare whatever they are bringing with them to the country.

It is mandatory to declare any pornographic material on your phone or laptop. This has been in effect since September 2009.

Not declaring any objectionable material on your phone or laptop is considered a violation of the law.

Is there any special screening process?

ABF officials have the necessary powers to look into your electronic devices to check for banned material. They can even confiscate your items or copy content from them. This is applicable to citizens as well as visitors, as per SBS News.

Often these screenings are based on the background information that various airlines hand out to the Dept. of Home Affairs.

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If you are looking to Visit, Study, Work, Invest or Migrate to Australia, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Consultant.

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