ONE thousand people fleeing violence in Syria will be among 20,000 refugees to be resettled in Australia, the federal government says.

The decision came as preparations were under way to send the first planeload of asylum seekers to Nauru in four years, and authorities intercepted a boat with 148 passengers and three crew on board near Ashmore Islands.

A chartered commercial aircraft is expected to take about 40 male asylum seekers and a contingent of Australian Federal Police to Nauru, landing on Friday morning.

Tent accommodation has been prepared for the asylum seekers, while more permanent facilities are built.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen told parliament Australia had watched the humanitarian crisis in Syria "in horror" and a response was needed.

He said 100,000 people had fled violence-wracked Syria in the past month into Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and Iraq.

A further 650,000 were expected to flee in coming months.

The minister said the extra 1000 refugees to be resettled would include Syrian nationals and members of the Iraqi community, many of whom had family links to Australia.

"For those for whom the Arab Spring has turned to winter, (you) have a friend and a supporter in Australia," Mr Bowen said.

Meanwhile, the Greens have raised concerns that authorities may use tasers, guns and batons to get Nauru-bound asylum seekers on and off planes.

The federal government has said that reasonable steps would be taken to ensure the asylum seekers followed instructions.

The Nauru government has asked that force not be used against any person.

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young asked Labor frontbencher Kate Lundy in the Senate to explain what type of force was reasonably necessary and whether the government would comply with Nauru's request.

Senator Hanson-Young asked if the use of tasers, guns, batons and drugging was acceptable.

Senator Lundy said such speculation was "inflammatory and disappointing".

She said under the law, officers can use force if necessary and reasonable.

"Section 198AD refers to the taking of people to a regional processing country - provides for certain actions that may be taken to effect that transfer, including placing the person on a vehicle or vessel and restraining them," she said.

"It also provides in doing these things an officer may use such force as is necessary or reasonable."

The boat that was intercepted on Thursday is carrying the fifth-largest group of people to arrive this year.

All persons arriving by boat since August 13 run the risk of being taken to Nauru for processing or to another detention facility being reopened on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island.

Attorney-General Nicola Roxon was later asked what access the asylum seekers would have to the Australian legal system.

"There are some details that are still being negotiated between Australia and Nauru, and Minister Bowen will make those announcements when it is appropriate to do so," she told the ABC's 7.30 program.

Asked if that included access to Australian courts, she said some processes would be different.

"Obviously part of the process is different. The commitments are to make sure that people that have their claims assessed under the refugee convention it will be done by Australian officials.

"It doesn't mean that every single process that would apply if you were in Australia ... will be the same."

She said some negotiations were continuing and Mr Bowen would make announcements when they were completed.

Originally published as Australia to take 1000 Syrian refugees