"To be clear, the ABF does not and will not stop people at random in the streets...The ABF does not target on the basis of race, religion or ethnicity," the spokesperson said.

As well as the Border Force officers and the Victoria Police, staff from Metro Trains, Yarra Trams, the Sheriff's Office and Taxi Services Commission will also be part of the activity, dubbed "Operation Fortitude".

In one of these social media posts, the Border Force said their officers would check the visas of those referred to them.

"ABF officers will assist partner agencies by conducting background visa checks on individuals who are referred to us,"

The wording of the statement has also been met with confusion within Labor.

"The government needs to immediately clarify what the Australian Border Force will actually be doing as part of this operation," Richard Marles said.

Labor leader Bill Shorten declined to criticise the operation, saying Labor believes in targeting crime and action needed to be taken to stop people overstaying their visas. He did question the media statement however.


"If you're going to do a blitz I don't know why you'd necessarily telegraph it to the media first," he said.

Protestors against #BorderForce have moved to block Flinders St intersection. "Refugees welcome, border force is not" pic.twitter.com/T4qhh7Aa93 — Patrick Durkin (@patrickdurkin) August 28, 2015

At least 200 people converged on Flinders Street in Melbourne at 2pm ahead of a planned Boarder Force press conference, then moving onto to a march through the streets.

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection said the operation was targeted at "everything from anti-social behaviour to outstanding warrants".

The Border Force was established inside the merged departments of Customs and Immigration on July 1, when Prime Minister Tony Abbott swore in the inaugural Border Force Commissioner, Roman Quaedvliegn, with Immigration Minister Peter Dutton at Parliament House.

Mr Quaedvliegn started his career in the Queensland Police Service and worked at the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Crime Commission before his appointment.

"Operational" workers at the agencies wanting to move into the force had to pass a "Border Force Basic Fitness Assessment" which included boot-camp style tests of fitness.