Australia to resettle last of Viking group

Australia will resettle 17 Sri Lankan refugees, the last of a group rescued by a customs vessel in Indonesian waters a year ago.

The rescue, by ACV Oceanic Viking, led to a diplomatic tug-o-war between Canberra and Jakarta over who had responsibility for the 78 asylum seekers aboard their distressed boat.

Eventually, the group was landed in Indonesia where they were transferred to an Australian-built detention centre.

Australia originally resettled 15 of the group while more than half were resettled in other countries, including the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Norway.

"But no third country could be found for the remaining 17," Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said in a statement on Friday.

The group is awaiting resolution of their cases in a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees transit centre in Romania.

"In accordance with undertakings given to the group they will be processed, and subject to meeting standard health, security and character requirements, resettled in Australia," Mr Bowen said.