A Chinese man who flew to Australia to study early childhood education has been deported after authorities allegedly found child abuse material on his phone.
The man had his baggage examined by the Australian Border Force (ABF) after arriving at Adelaide International Airport from China on February 23.
ABF officers allegedly found 21 videos of the illegal material on his mobile phone.
In addition to the cancellation of his visa, he was issued with a $660 infringement notice before being detained and put on the next flight home.
The man, wearing a green puffer jacket, as seen leaning over a desk as his bag was searched and then being led away in handcuffs in CCTV footage.
ABF Inspector Mark Vaughan said child abuse had no place in Australia.
‘Tackling child abuse is an important part of the ABF’s role in protecting some of the most vulnerable people in our community – children – from individuals who carry this material across the border,’ he said.
‘This kind of material has no place in Australian society and our officers are always on the lookout for these videos and images coming through our airports.
A Chinese man who flew to Australia to study early childhood education has been deported after authorities allegedly found child abuse material on his phone.
The man was detained and put on the first flight home to China
ABF officers allegedly found 21 videos of the illegal material
‘We won’t hesitate to utilise our powers to prosecute or remove from Australia persons associated with these vile activities who may pose a threat to our community.’
Officers found similar material on devices owned by a further 17 travellers in the first weeks of 2026, with some arrested and others having their visas cancelled.
People whose visas have been cancelled could be banned for up to three years or even permanently from Australia.