The Australian Navy has intercepted a boat near Ashmore Reef, off the coast of Western Australian, with more than 50 people on board.
Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said on Tuesday the boat was found after being sighted by a Customs surveillance plane.
The ABC reports the people on board the boat will be taken to Christmas Island where they will have their identity checked.
More than a dozen boats have been stopped in Australian waters or have made landfall since January.
