The recent payment of thousands of dollars to people smugglers to return to Indonesia was the first time that such a transaction has been made specifically for a turn-back, Fairfax Media has learnt.

It is understood that while payments have been made in the past for other reasons involving disrupting people smuggling and infiltrating criminal networks, the payment a month ago was the first to turn back a boat.

Cash Indonesian police said was paid to people smugglers.

Multiple senior sources have now confirmed the payment took place, as reported by Fairfax Media earlier this month.

An Australian official, believed to be from the intelligence agency ASIS, gave about $US5000 each to the six crew members of a boat carrying about 65 asylum seekers after it was intercepted in late May bound for New Zealand.