Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbott's government crackdown on asylum seeker boats will begin midweek.
Mr Abbott told reporters in Canberra on Monday that Operation Sovereign Borders starts on Wednesday.
"I am absolutely determined to stop the boats as quickly as we can," he said.
He said the policy will start to make a difference "from day one".
"Do I think that the boats will stop dead on day one of an incoming government? I wish. But it may not happen," Mr Abbott said.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
People smugglers and their customers will start to notice a significant difference straight away, Mr Abbott said.
Under Mr Abbott's plan, 12 agencies involved in border protection would come under the command of a single three-star military commander.
However, not every element of the policy will commence straight away.
Mr Abbott said the general in charge of the plan will be announced shortly.
He also confirmed he planned to visit Jakarta later this month to meet with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
The date of the trip will be locked when schedules are settled.
