Commission might examine detention abuse

Alleged child abuse at immigration detention centres on the Australian mainland and Christmas Island could come under the royal commission spotlight.

But royal commission into child sex abuse chairman Peter McClellan says centres on Nauru or Manus Island in Papua New Guinea will not be examined as the commission has no international jurisdiction.

The commission is considering the issue of alleged child sexual abuse at Australian immigration detention centres, he has said in correspondence to Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

The commission has declined to comment on the possible timing of the hearings or its schedule for the rest of the year.

Its general practice is to announce public hearings four weeks in advance.

Meanwhile, it has asked the immigration department to hand over relevant documents.