Rwandan spies in Australia are informing on refugees from the east African nation, a local media investigation has claimed.

The revelation comes as the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation warned interference from foreign agents had reached an "unprecedented scale".

The Australia Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) uncovered a covert recording of an alleged Rwandan spy filmed in a Queensland car park late last year. The man can be heard detailing how the Rwandan government runs secret missions from its embassies and high commissions.

One Rwandan refugee and government critic told the broadcaster he had been threatened by a countryman on his arrival in Australia.

The man claimed spies were planted in the country on student visas.

Intelligence sources said China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria, North Korea and Malaysia were known to monitor their diaspora in Australia, while seeking to silence dissenters speaking out against their former governments.

Irish Independent