The Australian government has been accused of attempting to break its international obligations after moving to bar any refugee or asylum-seeker who arrives in the country illegally by boat from ever being able to apply for a visa, even as tourists or for business.

A new lifetime ban proposed by the Australian government has attracted widespread criticism amid claims it breaches the country's international treaty obligations.

Immigration minister Peter Dutton insisted on Monday that the ban, which will be put to parliament when it next sits, meets the obligations currently in place and the advice given to the Government was clear.

"We are absolutely confident in terms of the constitutionality and that we meet our international obligations," Mr Dutton told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.