Refugees and asylum seekers have been sent misleading letters telling them to leave Australia under a major administrative bungle.
The letters were sent by a senior official at the Department of Home Affairs and purported to be on behalf of minister Clare O'Neil.
"Settlement in Australia is not an option for you," the letters said.
"The Australian government is strong against people smuggling and irregular maritime ventures.
"It will not allow any person who entered Australia by boat without a valid visa and is subject to regional processing to settle in Australia."
The letters were first reported by the ABC.
Hannah Dickinson from the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre said it was unclear why the department sent the correspondence.
Ms Dickinson said the letters caused distress to people already living in limbo.
"We hope it was a mistake on part of the department, and that communication like this won't happen again as there are severe consequences for the community," she said.
Some of the letters were personally addressed to individuals, while others received a greeting: "Dear << INSERT NAME >>".
The asylum seekers were transferred to Australia for medical treatment after they were detained in regional processing centres in the Pacific.
Ms Dickinson said people had the right to be communicated with in a clear and humane way, which the department had failed to do.
Home Affairs was contacted for comment, but the department did not respond to the request.
