Today our agency celebrates and reflects on 10 years of the Australian Border Force (ABF).
Since its establishment in 2015, the ABF has played a leading role in protecting Australia's border and enabling legitimate travel and trade, and as a global influencer in the international customs and border enforcement community.
Throughout a decade of advancement, the ABF has grown into a modern, intelligence-led agency, and a recognised symbol of Australia's resilience, capability and integrity. Working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to protect our most strategic national asset - the Australian border.
The history of Australia's border protection and the facilitation of legitimate trade reaches far back, with the first customs duties collected in the early 1800s. Over the years, customs and immigration functions have been vital in shaping our society and economy.
As we celebrate the ABF's 10-year milestone, we also honour the long legacy of service that preceded it. Generations of customs and immigration officers laid the groundwork for what the ABF represents today, each adapting to the demands of their era. The Australian Border Force stands today as a testament to more than a century of commitment and technological advancements to safeguarding Australia's borders and protecting the sovereignty of our nation.
Our ABF expertly manages the increasingly complex border to safeguard our nation - while the methods and strategies of those seeking to harm Australia have evolved, so too have our officers, their technology, partnerships, and approaches to ensuring Australia is protected.
Since 1 July 2015 the ABF has:
- Stopped more than 143 tonnes of major drugs and precursors from cross our border.
- Detected over 16,000 undeclared firearms at the border, helping to keep our community safe from gun violence.
- Prevented more than $10 billion from entering the hands of organised crime, by detecting and seizing more than 10 million tonnes of illicit tobacco.
- Processed over 330 million travellers across our borders.
- Cleared more than 1.072 billion parcels through the sea, air and mail cargo streams.
- Signed 11 bilateral Authorized Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Arrangements, allowing 865 Australia Trusted Traders to receive preferential and secure facilitation to overseas markets.
Looking to the future, advancements in customs and border modernisation will continue to be a key priority, as well as a continued focus on our international relationships through increased information sharing, and joint operations.
Australia's Border Force will continue to be a global leader in border security and customs and a trusted agency that contributes to a safe, secure and prosperous Australia.
Quotes attributable to Australian Border Force Commissioner, Gavan Reynolds AO:
"10 years of the Australian Border Force is a time to celebrate and reflect on not just the prominence of our work, but the dedication of our people and how they have contributed to the modern, professional and disciplined agency we are today."
"Our agency has evolved immensely over the last decade. The threats at our border are constantly changing, and our officers continue to rise to each and every challenge."
"Today we acknowledge our growth and look towards the future of ABF and our ongoing mission to protect Australia's border and enable legitimate travel and trade."
"From our veteran officers who witnessed the ABF's inception, to our new talent representing the future of the Australian Border Force - the commitment to our common mission is what will drive our One ABF, as part of One Home Affairs, success into the next decade."
