Government maritime authorities on Tuesday intercepted a small boat carrying alleged asylum seekers off Western Australia, it was reported.

HMAS Wollongong said the boat was found west of WA's Cape Leveque. But authorities said the vessel has been under surveillance for several days now by the Border Protection Command.

Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said authorities are still trying to establish the nationalities of those found on board the vessel. But they are believed to have come from either Afghanistan or Sri Lanka.

Should the people aboard the vessels are either from Afghanistan or Sri Lanka, their claims for asylum will be delayed for at least three months, following the latest government policy on asylum seekers set early this month.

The Australian official said the claims for asylum will not be processed until the suspension has been lifted by the government.

O'Connor said initial investigation found 46 passengers on board the vessel with two crew members.

"The group will be transferred to Christmas Island where they will undergo security, identity and health checks. Their reasons for travel will also be established," he said in a statement.

A number of Afghanistan and Sri Lankan nationals have fled and are fleeing their countries because of conflicts. Afghanistan is still waging a war against the al-Qaida and Taliban remnants while Sri Lanka has recently been liberated from Tamil Tiger rebels.