Pence reaffirms refugee deal with Australia to go ahead

US Vice President Mike Pence has reassured Australia the controversial refugee resettlement deal will go ahead.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, left, with the Sydney Opera House at the back, shakes hands with Australia's Governor-General Peter Cosgrove Source: AAP

US Vice Mike Pence has reaffirmed the Trump administration will resettle refugees in limbo on Nauru and Manus Island.

President Donald Trump blasted Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull over the settlement plan during their now-notorious phone call shortly after his inauguration in January.

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Mr Pence reassured Mr Turnbull during their bilateral meeting the US intends to honour the agreement, struck with the former Obama administration

"It doesn't mean we admire the agreement," he told reporters in Sydney on Saturday.

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How does the government's US refugee deal work?

* Refugees who are now on Nauru and Papua New Guinea's Manus Island will get the chance to resettle in the United States

* One-time only offer for up to 1250 asylum seekers

* Priority will be given to women, children and families

* Does not extend to people found not to be refugees

* Not available to any asylum seekers sent to Nauru or Manus Island in the future

* US Homeland Security officials have begun vetting refugees to decide which will be accepted

* US President Donald Trump described the deal as "dumb" during a fiery phone conversation with Prime Malcolm Turnbull shortly after his inauguration

* Vice-President Mike Pence reaffirmed the Trump administration's reluctant commitment to the deal, during his visit to Australia on Saturday.