# Aggravated offence of false documents and false or misleading information etc. relating to non-citizens (at least 5 people)

> act-s234A — as in force on 2026-06-04 — C2026C00232 · Compilation No. 171 — https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2026C00232/latest/text

234A Aggravated offence of false documents and false or misleading
         information etc. relating to non-citizens (at least 5 people)
          (1) A person must not, in connection with:
               (a) the entry or proposed entry into Australia, or the immigration
                   clearance, of a group of 5 or more non-citizens (which may
                   include that person), or of any member of such a group; or
               (b) an application for a visa or a further visa permitting a group
                   of 5 or more non-citizens (which may include that person), or
                   any member of such a group, to remain in Australia;
              do any of the following:
               (c) present, or cause to be presented, to an officer or a person
                   exercising powers or performing functions under this Act a
                   document that the person knows is forged or false;
               (d) make, or cause to be made, to an officer or a person
                   exercising powers or performing functions under this Act a
                   statement that the person knows is false or misleading in a
                   material particular;
               (e) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to an officer or a person
                   exercising powers or performing functions under this Act, or
                   otherwise give, or cause to be given, for official purposes of
                   the Commonwealth, a document containing a statement or










                       information that the person knows is false or misleading in a
                       material particular.
               Penalty: Imprisonment for 20 years or 2,000 penalty units, or
                        both.
               Note:      Sections 236A and 236B limit conviction and sentencing options for
                          offences against this section.

          (2) A person must not transfer or part with possession of a document
              or documents:
                (a) with the intention that the document or documents be used to
                    help a group of 5 or more people, none of whom are entitled
                    to use the document or documents, or any member of such a
                    group, to gain entry into or remain in Australia, or to be
                    immigration cleared; or
               (b) if the person has reason to suspect that the document or
                    documents may be so used.
               Penalty: Imprisonment for 20 years or 2,000 penalty units, or
                        both.
               Note:      Sections 236A and 236B limit conviction and sentencing options for
                          offences against this section.