The Australian Border Deaths Database

Background

The ANZSOC Thematic Group on Crimmigration and Border Control are the new custodians of the Australian Border Deaths database with a commitment to maintaining this important public record.

The Australian Border Deaths Database is a record of all known deaths associated with Australia’s border controls since 1 January 2000. Currently the database contains summary details of more than 2,000 deaths.

The database was established by Professor Leanne Weber and Professor Sharon Pickering as part of the research for Globalization and Borders: Death at the Global Frontier (Weber and Pickering, Palgrave, 2011).

Accessing and interpreting the data

The latest available tabulation of deaths recorded in date order, including border location, is available here. 

A more detailed file of source data suitable for statistical analysis is available on request from rebecca.powell@monash.edu.  

See the explanation of the scope and limitations of the data.  

Reporting a border-related death

If you would like to report a border death to us please email rebecca.powell@monash.edu.   

If you know anyone who has gone missing while travelling to Australia, the Red Cross Find my Family Tracing Service can help.

Image of memorial stones on Christmas Island reproduced with permission of Michael Sinclair-Jones