The navy has intercepted a boat suspected of carrying 71 asylum seekers near Christmas Island.
The vessel was detected north-west of the island early on Monday morning.
HMAS Armidale intercepted the boat and initial indications suggest there were 71 passengers and two crew onboard, Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said.
The group will be transferred to Christmas Island where they will undergo security, identity and health checks and their reasons for travel will be established, AAP reports.
The news comes amid reports that Indonesian people-smuggling authorities are braced for a 'surge' of Afghan asylum seekers coming through their waters.
The Australian reports Indonesian officials citing the lifting of the freeze on the processing of asylum claims from Afghanistan.
Lilik Apriyanto, chief of the West Timor Anti-People-Smuggling Taskforce, told the Australian that the 'loosening' of the rules for Afghans meant authorities there thought more Afghans may soon make the trip, although he suggested calmer weather would also play a role.
