Although sustainable voluntary return of migrants back to their countries of origin is a vital part of migration strategies, there is a lack of common understanding and available data on how policy enables or promotes sustainable return and reintegration. This study attempts to fill those knowledge gaps and contribute to the available research on sustainable voluntary return, including a working definition of the term ‘sustainable voluntary return’.

Commissioned by the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection, this study was published together with the International Organization for Migration. Besides summarizing findings and addressing areas of further research, the study explores overall policy implications.