Kiribati says it has detained Nine Network journalist Liam Bartlett and other members of a 60 Minutes crew and will force them to leave the country after denying them permission to film.

Key points: Kiribati says the journalists will be deported — in the meantime they are being held in their hotel

Kiribati says the journalists will be deported — in the meantime they are being held in their hotel Nine said the "issue does not affect the story being worked on"

Nine said the "issue does not affect the story being worked on" In 2016, a 60 Minutes crew was arrested in Lebanon during a botched child "recovery"

Government officials said the Australians had been detained since Tuesday due to "false and misleading information" over the purpose of their visit.

"They [60 Minutes] intentionally came to Kiribati without applying for a permit and then lied about the reason for their visit to immigration officers at the airport," a Kiribati Government spokesperson said in a statement provided to the ABC.

"Since they have breached the conditions of their visitors' permit their presence in the country is now unlawful and they have to remain in the hotel until departure."

The statement said the crew had been advised to apply for a research and filming permit before arriving in Kiribati, in order to gain clearance from immigration.

In an earlier statement, Nine said the 60 Minutes crew travelled to Kiribati on Monday and submitted applications for filming approval.

"On arrival they arranged a meeting with authorities, including the executive assistant of the President and a senior representative of the immigration department to discuss the application. Further forms were submitted and a request was made for expedited approval."

"That request was declined this morning and the 60 Minutes team were asked to remain in their hotel until the next flight out, which was their scheduled departure flight."

Media reports said the crew was under "house arrest" in the Utirerei Motel.

The Australians have reportedly been unable to leave the Utirerei Motel. ( Utirerei Motel )

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was "aware of a group of Australians in Kiribati who have had problems related to their visas" and said it would be ready to "provide further consular assistance if required."

The Guardian reported the crew was there to film a story about Kiribati's decision to cut ties with Taiwan and establish diplomatic relations with China.

"The issue does not affect the story being worked on," Nine said.

A film crew from 60 Minutes was arrested in Lebanon in 2016 after a botched "recovery" attempt to take two children from Beirut to Australia.

According to Radio New Zealand, Kiribati's Government tightened its criteria for media permits after a ferry sank last year, killing 95 people.