Taxpayers have forked out close to $330,000, including $800 for a door knob, for a border protection media briefing room that hasn't been used since its completion 10 months ago.

Construction and fit-out costs for the high-tech theatrette totalled almost $235,000 while the annual cost of having it on stand-by is running at about $100,000.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The government is leasing the premises, next to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's aid office in Canberra, until June 2016.