A people-smuggling boat has made it to an island in the Torres Strait, just weeks after the Government boasted of the success of its Sovereign Borders Operation.

It is the first smuggler's boat to make it to land in Australia in more than three years.

The vessel was carrying six Chinese nationals and a man from Papua New Guinea and landed on Saibai Island.

The island is four kilometres from Papua New Guinea, but is part of Australia.

The Immigration Minister's office said no-one on board made a claim of asylum.

A 40-year-old Chinese man and a 52-year-old man from Papua New Guinea have been charged with aggravated people smuggling.

They appeared in court in Cairns yesterday and have been remanded to appear again next month.

Five people have been returned to China.

Saibai Island resident Yakl Ftepes believes she saw some of the men handcuffed and being questioned by officials.

"Two [officials] were questioning an Asian, and one was I think with a PNG national," Ms Ftepes said.

"Some community members were watching and staring at them."