Australia Spent $9m Per Asylum Seeker on Nauru – Why Can't They A 2026

Australia spent more than $9 million per asylum seeker held on Nauru last year, yet most refugees and asylum seekers in Nauru's detention centres say they cannot afford to buy enough food or access clean drinking water. This stark contradiction highlights a humanitarian crisis that demands urgent attention. The group of more than 100 people have been sent indefinitely to the tiny Pacific island while they wait for their asylum claims to be processed.

The Cost Breakdown: $9 Million Per Person vs. $260 Fortnightly Payments

According to a new survey by the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), of the 78 people surveyed between February and April, all but one said the Australian government's $260 fortnightly payment—intended to cover food, drinking water, supplies, phone credit, and internet service—was not enough to keep them from going hungry. The minimum 28GB monthly data plan with Nauru's main internet and mobile provider, Digicel, costs $112, or about 20% of the monthly allowance provided. This leaves asylum seekers with little to no money for essentials like food.

Why Is Food So Expensive on Nauru?

Nauru's population of about 13,000 is heavily reliant on imported goods. More than 90% of food consumed is imported, and prices on the island can fluctuate depending on availability and trade disruptions. Vegetables such as tomatoes, capsicums, and onions cost about $18 a kilo—up to three times as much as similar goods in Australia. Rakib*, a man in his 20s who has been on Nauru for more than two years without the ability to work, says the situation has worsened in recent months: the cost of a single banana has risen from $1.50 to about $4. He also reports a recent shortage of rice, which is an affordable staple for many Nauruans and asylum seekers.

Comparison Table: Cost of Living on Nauru vs. Australia

Key Takeaways

• Australia spent over $9 million per asylum seeker on Nauru last year, yet individuals receive only $260 fortnightly.
• Food prices on Nauru are up to 4.5 times higher than in Australia due to reliance on imports.
• 78 out of 78 surveyed asylum seekers said the payment is insufficient to avoid hunger.
• Rakib and others report skipping meals and facing extreme mental distress.
• Advocacy groups like ASRC call for urgent reform to ensure basic human rights.

Human Impact: Stories from Nauru

Rakib, who has been on Nauru for 2.5 years after attempting to get to Australia by boat, feels he is at breaking point. “I think it would be better if they kill us, or if we die,” he says. “Because, you know, like when you die, you get peace.” His story is not unique. Many of the cohort say they are skipping meals to make ends meet, according to the ASRC survey. The Australian government's policy of indefinite detention on Nauru has drawn criticism from human rights organizations worldwide, especially given the disparity between spending and outcomes.

FAQ

This crisis underscores the urgent need for policy change. The Australian government must ensure that the billions spent on offshore detention translate into humane living conditions, not just administrative overhead. As Rakib's heartbreaking words remind us, behind the statistics are real people suffering.