Asylum seekers could be placed on a work for the dole scheme in Australia.
AAP reprots the plan was announced by the opposition on Sunday and is supported by the federal government.
Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison said asylum seekers would be paid welfare in the form of food and accommodation vouchers in return for their labour.
They would work on community projects to earn the vouchers, worth about 89% of the Newstart allowance, he said.
"Everything from planting trees to volunteer work in nursing homes, things of that nature," Mr Morrison told the Seven network on Sunday.
But he was adamant that a normal wage would not be paid: "Cash in hand can just simply be cash for people smugglers' debts," he said.
AAP reports Immigration Minister Brendan O'Connor indicated support for the move from the government.
"We've got people that might be on bridging visas and I would like to see them participate and contribute," he told the Seven network. "It's worth considering."
But he added, "We need to look at the costs and we need to know how this would work."
