A West Australian man is scheduled to appear in Perth Magistrates Court today (10 September, 2026) charged with possessing child abuse material.
The AFP charged the man, 29, on 31 August, 2026, after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted him at Perth Airport following his arrival on an international flight.
ABF officers inspected a mobile phone as part of a baggage examination and identified child abuse material. The matter was immediately referred to the AFP for investigation.
The man was subsequently charged with one count of possessing child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 15 years' imprisonment.
He first appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on 1 September, 2026, where he was remanded in custody to appear again today (10 September, 2026).
AFP Detective Acting Inspector David Blockley said the AFP and its partners remained committed to protecting children from online predators and ensuring those who seek gratification from the exploitation of our most vulnerable are identified and placed before the court.
"The AFP works closely with domestic and international law enforcement partners to identify alleged offenders, safeguard victims and prevent further harm," Det a/Insp Blockley said.
"Children are some of the community's most vulnerable members and deserve to feel safe."
ABF Inspector Tim Sutton said the vigilance of ABF officers at Australia's airports remained essential to intercepting criminals.
"Child abuse material is not just files on a device, it is a record of the abuse of real children, and its possession and circulation continues that harm," Insp Sutton said.
"The ABF is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to disrupt child exploitation offending and ensure the safety of children both in Australia and abroad."
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) is driving a collaborative national approach to combatting child abuse.
The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
If you or someone you know is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available.
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
