Chinese men on their way to Australia by boat have been deported, Bishop confirms

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has confirmed a boatload of Chinese men and their alleged Papua New Guinean people smuggler have been intercepted and sent back.

A boatload of Chinese men have successfully landed on Australian territory after trying to enter the country illegally.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton declared on Monday the country hadn't had a "successful boat" for well over 1000 days.

However, six Chinese nationals and an alleged Papua New Guinean people smuggler reached Saibai Island in the Torres Strait on August 20.

An immigration department spokesperson said the men were trying to illegally enter Australia.

Five have been sent back to China and two - one of the Chinese men and the PNG man - are in custody after appearing in court charged with people smuggling.

"The operation demonstrates the effectiveness of the strong presence of Australian law enforcement in the Torres Strait region," the department spokesperson said.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop denied the incident represented a new wave of asylum seekers.

"We have very good border security strategies in place and these people were detected," Ms Bishop told the Nine Network on Wednesday.