THE navy has intercepted 14 unidentified people on a boat near the Ashmore Islands off Australia's north-west coast and was last night taking them to the empty Christmas Island detention centre.

The Immigration Minister, Chris Evans, said there were two crew and 12 passengers - 11 men and one woman. "Their nationalities and reasons for travel to Australia are yet to be confirmed."

He said they were expected to arrive at Christmas Island later this week, where they will be detained while they undergo health, security, identity and other checks.

The vessel was detected by the navy yesterday. It is the first unauthorised boat arrival this year and only the second since the election of the Rudd Government.

Senator Evans congratulated the navy on the "apprehension" of those on board and issued a warning against "people-smuggling".

"The interception of this group of unauthorised arrivals clearly demonstrates the Rudd Government's border security arrangements are working," he said.

"Attempting to breach Australia's borders and the integrity of its immigration system is a serious matter and the Government will continue to take robust measures to protect Australia's borders."

While the boat is the first unauthorised arrival detected this year, there were five last year and six the year before.

The Howard government created the so-called Pacific solution in 2001 to prevent asylum seekers and people smugglers reaching Australia. Many boats were intercepted near Ashmore Reef, about 320 kilometres off the north-west coast.

Senator Evans said Australia was working closely with other countries in the region to combat people-smuggling - "an insidious trade where criminals exploit vulnerable people whose lives may be put at risk".