Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton says he has no plans to close the Nauru detention centre.
It comes after Former Attorney-General George Brandis said all asylum seeker children on Nauru will be relocated to Australia by the end of the year.
But the government says asylum seekers who pose a security risk could stay in detention while their partners and children are allowed into Australia.
At least four families have been transferred to Adelaide in recent weeks amid reports many asylum seekers and their children are very sick.
Mr Dutton has told Sky News even if some refugees are transferred to Australia from Nauru, they will not be allowed to settle permanently.
Listen to the full news bulletin in Arabic above.