More than 1000 asylum seekers have been intercepted in Australian waters so far this month, according to government figures.
The 18th boat spotted in Australian waters in March was intercepted by HMAS Bundaberg north of Christmas Island on Friday morning, contained 69 passengers and three crew.
The latest arrival takes the total number of asylum seekers to be processed by Australian authorities this month to 1064.
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The office of Home Affairs minister Jason Clare said the latest vessel was initially detected by an RAAF maritime patrol aircraft.
"Border Protection Command has now transferred the passengers to Christmas Island, where they will undergo initial security, health and identity checks and their reasons for travel will be established," a spokesman for Mr Clare said.
The latest available statistics reveal that exactly 1000 children were in some form of immigration detention as of January 31.
According to the Department of Immigration, 5697 people were in immigration detention facilities and alternative places of detention, including 4526 on the mainland and 1135 on Christmas Island.
The 1000 children were spread between Perth, Port Augusta, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Christmas Island, Cocos Keeling Island and elsewhere on the mainland.
The department said the number "was due to a rapid increase in irregular maritime arrivals, from October to November 2012".
More than 900 children were housed in "alternative places of detention", with 39 in immigration residential housing and 59 in immigration transit accommodation.
Opposition border protection spokesman Michael Keenan said Labor's infighting had contributed to the increase in arrivals.
"Australia desperately needs a change in policy to show we are serious about tackling people smuggling, but a Labor Party at war with itself cannot provide the leadership and resolve that is required," Mr Keenan said.
ARRIVALS OF SUSPECTED IRREGULAR ENTRY VESSELS - March 2013
22 March 2013 - North of Christmas Island - 69 passengers, three crew
20 March 2013 - West-north-west of Darwin - 78 people
20 March 2013 - North-west of Christmas Island - 48 passengers and two crew
19 March 2013 - North-west of Cocos (Keeling) Islands - 40 people
19 March 2013 - North-north-east of Ashmore Islands - 78 people
19 March 2013 - North-east of Christmas Island - 68 people
18 March 2013 - North of Ashmore Islands - 94 passengers and three crew
15 March 2013 - North of Christmas Island - 96 passengers and three crew
15 March 2013 - North of Christmas Island - 65 people
14 March 2013 - Christmas Island vicinity - 10 passengers and three crew
14 March 2013 - North east of Christmas Island - 48 passengers and one crew member
14 March 2013 - North-west of Ashmore Islands - 74 passengers and three crew
12 March 2013 - North-east of Christmas Island - 56 people
12 March 2013 - North of Christmas Island - 103 passengers and two crew
10 March 2013 - North-west of Christmas Island - 16 passengers and two crew
9 March 2013 - North-west of Tiwi Island - 37 passengers and two crew
8 March 2013 - North west of Christmas Island - 70 passengers and two crew
5 March 2013 - South-east of Ashmore Islands - 11 passengers and one crew.
Source: Office of Jason Clare, Minister for Home Affairs.
