DILI, 02 October 2025 (TATOLI) – The Government of Australia, through the Australian Border Force (ABF), has donated technical equipment to Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Interior to enhance migration management, border control, and national security.
The handover ceremony in Dili was attended by ABF First Secretary Inspector Sarah Body and Australia’s Migration Attaché in Timor-Leste, George Kpakima.
The donation includes document verification tools such as the Doculus Lumus—a portable device that detects forged documents using ultraviolet and infrared light—along with magnifiers, cameras, tablets, digital safes, and other essential equipment for border posts.
Director-General of Migration Services, Assistant Superintendent Adelaide da Rosa, said the new tools will improve inspection procedures at airports, seaports, and border checkpoints.
“These materials will enable more effective detection of falsified travel documents and strengthen migration control capacity,” Rosa said. “They are vital in combating human trafficking and other transnational crimes.”
Australian experts will provide technical training for migration officers, focusing on border post chiefs and staff at Nicolau Lobato International Airport.
Inspector Sarah Body reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to supporting Timor-Leste’s border management.
She said that Australia is pleased to continue working together with Timor-Leste to build safer borders and strengthen the operational capacity of Timorese authorities.
She added that the equipment uses hidden security features, or watermarks, already deployed in major Australian airports to detect fraudulent passports—technology that will now support Timor-Leste’s migration services.
Journalist: Afonso do Rosário
Editor: Isaura Lemos de Deus
Translation: Camilio de Sousa
