Australia to take in more refugees to stop boat people

Australia will accept an additional 6,250 refugees from source and transit countries, as part of the government's plan to discourage irregular boat arrivals.

The Australian government announced in August it would increase Australia's annual humanitarian intake from 13,750 to 20,000, and to 27,000 within five years.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said the extra resettlements will come from priority regions in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

"The increase in places target those in most need, including those vulnerable people in camps around the world," he said in a statement today.

"We are providing more opportunities for vulnerable and displaced people to pursue safer resettlement options in Australia as part of an orderly humanitarian program."

This would reinforce the government's "no-advantage" policy by showing that no special treatment would be given to those arriving by boat.

Bowen, who has been visiting refugee shelters and camps in Lebanon this week, said the decision will change the lives of people languishing in camps and other places around the world.

"As I witnessed in Lebanon, countries in the region bear a significant burden, generously providing protection space to refugees," he said.

With the humanitarian programme increased by more than 40 per cent, Australia is now the second largest resettlement country in the world behind the US, Bowen said.

The increase in resettlements will include up to 2,000 African refugees, 3,800 Iraqis from Syria, Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon, and 2,000 Afghans from countries in the region.