Australia's response to the Rohingya refugee crisis has been called a "blot on human rights" ahead of regional talks on the thousands still starving and stranded at sea.
The Asia-Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN) says Australia has so far shown "vehement opposition" to helping its ASEAN neighbours assist the thousands of people fleeing over the Andaman Sea.
Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand eventually agreed to provide the Rohingya asylum seekers temporary shelter, while the US, Philippines and Gambia have offered resettlement.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says Indonesian intelligence indicates about 40 per cent are Rohingya, and the remainder are Bangladeshi "economic migrants".
She told ABC radio on Monday that Australia was doing "more than its fair share" to help find a regional settlement arrangement.
But APRRN executive director Anoop Sukumaran says Australia's refusal to resettle refugees who board boats - by arguing it encourages the practice - denies help to the most desperate.
"Unfortunately Australia's position says `come to the front door'. Please show us the front door," he told AAP.
"Trafficking is a symptom of a much deeper, larger malice.
"People being persecuted cannot find ways to escape with dignity and protection, they are being forced into the hands of traffickers.
"Australia's response is securitised borders, victimising the victims ... it is a blot on human rights."
APRRN, which represents more than 200 refugee rights groups in Southeast Asia, urged Australia to do more at Friday's meeting of 17 nations in response to the crisis.
Australia will be represented by ambassador for people-smuggling issues Andrew Goledzinowski.
The UNHCR on Monday told AAP that among more than 1700 who had come ashore in Indonesia, about 50 per cent were Rohingya.
But the more pressing issue, it said, was rescuing thousands more who were still stranded at sea and giving them urgent medical care.
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