Despite quietly shifting away from offshore processing, Australia recently signed a A$422m contract with a US prison company to oversee Nauru until at least 2025.
"The enduring capability ensures regional processing arrangements remain ready to receive and process any new unauthorised maritime arrivals, future-proofing Australia's response to maritime people smuggling," a spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs said.
Nauru: Why Australia is funding an empty detention centre. By Hannah Ritchie, BBC News Sydney