The Immigration Department says it is investigating a report one of its officials spent tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on a trip to China which included female escorts.

Earlier this month it was reported the official and three Government contractors spent almost $44,000 on the four-day trip, including on first-class airfares and expensive Scotch whisky.

Today, Immigration Department secretary Mike Pezzullo told a Senate committee the report was being investigated.

"If any of my officers have engaged in the sorts of behaviours that were described in the article, they will be appropriately disciplined," he said.

"I'm willing to give you that assurance, but there's no more detail that I can provide."

The report by Fairfax Media said the trip to Beijing and Shanghai in June last year was to inspect a factory supplying housing materials for staff at the Manus Island detention centre.

But the factory's manager said the delegation came to the facility just once for less than an hour.

The report, citing itinerary documents and receipts, said the group spent $5,000 at a Shanghai karaoke bar including four bottles of Glenmorangie scotch and tips for escorts.