Immigration Minister Peter Dutton's army of spin doctors and communications staff is costing taxpayers more than $8 million a year, and his department is also spending up on external media consultants.

New figures show the Department of Immigration and Border Protection is spending $1 million on media staff and another $7 million on public relations, media monitoring and internal communications staff.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton's department has 82 communications staff, 22 of whom are dedicated to its "24/7 media operations". Credit:Stefan Postles

The department says it has 82 communications staff, 22 of whom are dedicated to its "24/7 media operations", including social media.

A response to a question on notice from Labor – submitted in February but only answered in recent weeks – says the department also had eight non-permanent communications staff earlier this year.