The department said eight families were sent to the island, comprising 16 adults and 12 children from Sri Lanka and Iran.

They were accompanied by federal police, immigration staff, interpreters, children's services and medical staff.

The centre on Manus Island is a combination of temporary and refurbished structures, the department said.

Images released by the department of the temporary facilities show a mixture of tent and structure accommodation.

The tents have army-style stretchers inside.

Earlier this week, the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network – which comprises 120 organisations from across the region – said it deeply regretted Australia reopening offshore detention on Nauru and Papua New Guinea.

''If every nation refused to allow anyone without a visa access to an asylum process, few refugees would be protected and international systems of refugee protection would quickly fall apart,'' the network said in a statement.

The immigration department said after the asylum seekers arrived, they went through immigration clearance, before being moved into the centre.

''The completion of this transfer reaffirms the strong message of deterrence for anyone considering risking their lives on dangerous people smuggling boats,'' the department said in a statement.

''There will be no advantage for boat arrivals.''

It said the asylum seekers sent to Manus Island were chosen ''based on operational considerations and an assessment of their particular circumstances to confirm transfer was appropriate.''