Claims asylum seekers floating in a boat off Christmas Island used a mobile phone to alert WA police show border protection has become "a taxi service", the opposition says.
The vessel was intercepted by Navy patrol ship HMAS Broome on Wednesday night and escorted to Christmas Island.
"Interception I don't think is the word for what's going on up there, it's basically becoming a bit of a taxi service," opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison told Macquarie Radio Network on Friday.
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"It exposes what is really going on here with the people smuggling business, this has become an absolute machine-like operation."
A Customs and Border Protection spokeswoman would not confirm to AAP that a mobile phone on board the refugee boat was used to alert authorities.
Sydney's Daily Telegraph reported on Friday that a global roaming phone was used to call WA police, who then notified the Australian Maritime Safety Authority which then called Border Protection Command.
The vessel, said to be the 101st refugee boat to arrive in Australian waters under the Rudd government, had sailed to within 1500 metres of Christmas Island, the paper said.
HMAS Broome was then tasked to intercept.
"Border Protection Command receives information on irregular maritime arrivals from a variety of sources," a Customs and Border Protection statement emailed to AAP said.
It confirmed authorities were alerted to the vessel about 8.44pm (AEDT) on Wednesday and it was intercepted at 11.14pm (AEDT) near Christmas Island.
Mr Morrison said he anticipates other refugee boats to arrive at Christmas Island over the Easter weekend.
