AFL boss Gil McLachlan says he does not believe Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton afforded him special treatment by stepping in to prevent the deportation of an au pair employed by his relative.

The young French woman had previously worked for Callum MacLachlan, a South Australian pastoralist and relative of Mr McLachlan. In 2015, she was detained by the Australian Border Force and her tourist visa was cancelled over suspicions she intended to work while in Australia.

Mr Dutton sought a briefing and ultimately intervened to save the au pair after he was contacted by Mr McLachlan's office. The minister is now under fire for what critics perceive as a favour for a mate.

Speaking to 3AW radio on Friday, Mr McLachlan said he was contacted by his cousin Mr MacLachlan on a Sunday about a "family friend" who had been detained.