Australia is on track to post a new annual record for asylum seekers who arrive by air after official figures confirmed more than 95,000 arrivals over the past five years amid fears of corruption and exploitation.

About 80 people every day since the start of July have claimed protection after landing at an Australian airport, highlighting a huge change in people smuggling operations since the government's crackdown on boat arrivals.

The trend appears likely to push the annual arrivals to a new high while adding to claims of "slavery" by smugglers who recruit workers who arrive as tourists, claim asylum and stay in Australia while their cases go through the courts.

Immigration Minister David Coleman argued the rate of arrivals since the beginning of July showed the influx was likely to be down over the full year when seasonal factors were taken into account.