Border Protection Command has intercepted an asylum-seeker vessel in Australian waters.
The navy patrol boat HMAS Albany intercepted the suspected irregular entry vessel north-west of Christmas Island.
Initial indications suggest there are 59 passengers and two crew on board, he said.
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"The passengers will be taken to Christmas Island for pre-transfer assessments, pending removal to another country," Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said in a statement.
It is the fourth vessel to arrive since Australia and Malaysia signed an asylum-seeker swap deal.
The latest arrival takes to 265 the number of asylum seekers earmarked for transfer to Malaysia, pending a High Court challenge to be heard next week.
