Asylum seekers transferred to Christmas Island

Asylum seekers on two separate boats are being transferred to Christmas Island after their vessels were intercepted by Australian authorities.

A file shot of an asylum-seeker vessel off Christmas Island. (AAP)

Around 180 asylum seekers are headed for Christmas Island after being rescued by the Australian Navy after their boat ran into trouble south of Java.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority says a signal was received yesterday, from the boat in trouble about 60 kilometers south of Java.

Hmas Larrakia helped move the asylum seekers off their boat and onto a merchant vessel, which is now bound for Christmas Island.

There have been reports the boat had capsized, however the Authority says those reports are incorrect and the transfer operation went ahead without incident.

Another asylum seeker boat has been intercepted near Christmas Island.

HMAS Broome intercepted the vessel, with 66 passengers and two crew on board, north of Christmas Island on Saturday afternoon.

They will be transferred to the Australian territory for initial security, health and identity checks, Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare says.

Under the government's new offshore processing regime, anyone who arrives by boat without a visa could be sent to Nauru or Papua New Guinea.