A boat believed to be carrying 32 suspected asylum seekers has been intercepted off Christmas Island.

The vessel was first identified by a RAAF AP-3C Orion surveillance aircraft and then intercepted by the navy patrol boat HMAS Armidale, seven nautical miles west of Christmas Island early on Thursday.

Initial indications suggested there were 32 passengers aboard, although numbers were yet to be confirmed, Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said.

"The group will be transferred to Christmas Island where they will undergo security, identity and health checks as well as establish their reasons for travel," he said in a statement.

It is the 35th boat this year that has arrived in Australian waters.

Mr O'Connor said Australia was committed to addressing people smuggling and was working closely with neighbour countries.

In the past year there had been 85 "disruptions" of people smuggling ventures in Indonesia, and the arrest of 19 people-smuggling organisers.