In 2018, Serco Group, a British outsourcing company, signed a new immigration services agreement with the Australian government. The deal, worth AUD 1.9 billion over seven years, sees Serco taking over the management of a number of immigration detention centers across Australia.

As part of the agreement, Serco will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the detention centers, as well as providing services such as security, catering, and healthcare to the detainees. The company will also provide transport for detainees between the detention centers and other facilities, such as courts and airports.

The new agreement follows a number of controversies surrounding the management of Australia`s immigration detention centers, including allegations of abuse and mistreatment of detainees. The Australian government has faced criticism from the international community for its tough immigration policies, which have seen thousands of refugees and asylum seekers detained for months or even years.

Serco`s role in the management of the detention centers has also been controversial, with some critics arguing that outsourcing such a sensitive and important function to a private company undermines the government`s responsibility to ensure the humane treatment of detainees.

Despite the controversy, the new immigration services agreement is expected to have a significant impact on Serco`s bottom line. The company already has a strong presence in Australia, providing a range of services to the government and private sector, and the new deal is expected to boost its earnings in the region significantly.

Overall, the Serco immigration services agreement 2018 is a significant development in the ongoing debate about the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers in Australia. While the deal may prove lucrative for Serco, it remains to be seen whether it will lead to improvements in the conditions of detention centers and the treatment of detainees.