Summary of key findings 1 There is a discrepancy between annual data concerning the number of stateless people in Australia reported by UNHCR and publicly available government statistics (3.2.1). 2 Given that Australia lacks a formal process for identifying stateless people (i.e. an SDP) figures published concerning the number of stateless people in Australia cannot be considered a true or reliable estimate (3.2.1 and 3.2.2). 3 Based on the most recent publicly available UNHCR data, there were 7,503 stateless people in Australia as at 30 June 2025, however this number cannot be considered as comprehensive or reliable (3.2.1 and 3.2.2). 4 There is a paucity of data about the different population groups of stateless people in Australia (3.2.3). 5 There is a significant gap in data collection regarding the ethnicity of stateless people in Australia (3.2.3). 6 Children account for a significant proportion of stateless people on visas in Australia (29% as at 30 September 2025) (3.2.4). 7 Stateless people spend on average 287.2 days longer in immigration detention than non-stateless people in Australia (3.2.5). 8 The rate of grants of Australian citizenship to stateless people has steadily increased over the past decade, however many stateless people continue to have their application for citizenship refused (3.2.6). 9 Stateless people usually require legal assistance to navigate the citizenship application process (3.2.6). 10 Stateless people face longer wait times for Australian citizenship depending on their mode of arrival in Australia; on average, stateless people who arrive by boat face longer processing times (3.2.6). 11 Statelessness is defined and understood in different ways by different stakeholders, particularly in absence of a statutory definition of statelessness (4.1.1). 12 There is a lack of data about statelessness (often resulting in services approximating or attempting to triangulate statistics from unverified sources) (4.1.2). 13 Statelessness is not well understood within government agencies and relevant service providers (4.1.3). 14 Stateless people are often completely overlooked in policy development (4.1.4). 15 Stateless people’s legal journeys through Australian courts and tribunals is complex (4.2.1). 16 Proving statelessness in the absence of a statutory framework is challenging (4.2.2). 17 Stateless people experience a ‘relentless’ reassessment of their identity which has a real and detrimental impact on them (4.2.3). 18 A finding that a person is ‘stateless’ carries distinct consequences across Australian administrative decision making (4.2.4). 70 Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness | Understanding Statelessness in Australia