Australian Customs and Border Protection Service facts for kids
The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service was an important part of the Australian Government. Its main job was to keep Australia's borders safe. It also helped people and things move in and out of the country legally, and collected money called taxes and duties on some items.
About 6,000 people worked for this service in Australia and other parts of the world. Its main office was in Canberra, Australia's capital city.
What Did Customs Do?
The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service worked hard to protect Australia. They stopped dangerous or illegal items from entering the country. This included things like illegal weapons.
To do their job, they used many tools and methods. These included:
- Using information and computers
- Working with special detector dogs
- Using Smartgate systems for travellers
- Checking items with x-rays
- Watching areas with CCTV cameras
They also worked closely with other government groups. These included the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, and the Department of Defence.
Protecting Australia's Borders
Australia's borders are very large. They stretch out into the ocean for 200 nautical miles. This area is called the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Customs helped to protect this wide area too.
Customs on TV
The work of the Australian Customs Service was even shown on TV! There was a TV show called Border Security: Australia's Front Line. It showed how Customs officers worked at airports, at sea borders, and inside Australia.
