Boat intercepted in Australian waters

Another asylum seeker boat with more than 90 passengers on board has been intercepted in Australian waters, stirring concerns the Christmas Island immigration detention centre could soon be full.

The suspected illegal entry vessel was found northwest of Christmas Island shortly after 11pm (AEDT) on Friday.

Initial estimates suggest 92 passengers were on board, Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said in a statement on Saturday.

The interception takes to 25 the tally of unauthorised asylum seeker vessels that have entered Australian waters in 2010.

Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison said the addition of 92 asylum seekers - the second largest intake this year - to Christmas Island meant the detention centre would have only 50 beds left.

"If we have another boat arrive in the next 24 hours, which is quite possible, then it's full," he told AAP on Saturday.

"We'll very, very soon be at the stage where they'll be transferring people to the mainland."

The federal government has previously raised the option of housing asylum seekers at a 550-bed facility in Darwin if Christmas Island's capacity was exhausted.

But Mr Morrison said the coalition, which supports the reintroduction of temporary protection visas, would be opposed to asylum seekers being brought to the Australian mainland.

The government needed to consider other options, like temporarily housing surplus asylum seekers on ships used to accommodate oil rig workers.

"I'm not suggesting this is coalition policy. They are options," he said.

Mr O'Connor said the federal government was working closely with Australia's regional neighbours to tackle the issue of people smuggling.

"People smugglers seek out and exploit vulnerable persons who, having faced uncertainty, conflict and violence, pursue stability and safety," he said.

The asylum seekers will be transferred to Christmas Island for security, identity and health checks, and their reasons for travel will be established.

- AAP