A rise in the number of asylum seekers in Australia deliberately hurting themselves has sparked a new inquiry into suicide and self harm in immigration detention centres.
The ABC reports there were just over 50 cases of self harm in the first week of July and 1100 threatened or actual incidents in the 12 months to the end of June.
Commonwealth Ombudsman Allan Asher says his inquiry into self-harm in immigration detention centres will touch on all aspects of their operation.
He says he wants an expert scientific panel to assess the statistical evidence.
He says there will also be an examination of the way the centres are managed and the services that are provided.
The UN has criticised Australia's policy of detaining all asylum seekers while their applications are processed.
Mr Asher said he spent a week at the Christmas Island detention centre in June and there were 30 incidents of self-harm during that time.
His report is due by the end of the year.
On Monday, Australian and Malaysian officials signed a swap deal intended to stem the flow of asylum seekers travelling to Australia by boat.
The deal allows Australia to send 800 asylum seekers to Malaysia. In return, Australia will take 4,000 refugees from Malaysia over the next four years.