Photo: © 2010 AFP/AAP/ Customs and Border Protection

The government last week announced it will no longer offer asylum to people fleeing Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, saying the situation in both countries has improved recently.

The past 18 months have seen an increase in refugees sailing into Australian waters, with the majority coming from those two countries.

"[We are sending] a strong message to people smugglers that they cannot guarantee a visa outcome for their clients, and a message to those seeking to employ people smugglers that they may find themselves not to be refugees and returned to their country of origin," Immigration Minister Chris Evans said last week.

But the Herald Sun reports "a large flotilla of boats carrying asylum seekers" is preparing to set sail from Indonesia, with people smugglers "duping asylum seekers by claiming they can beat the visa changes if boats leave now."

Three boats have already been intercepted en route to Christmas Island since last week's changes.