Asylum seeker children to leave Nauru by end of the year, George Brandis confirms

Former attorney-general George Brandis has confirmed the Australian government expects to have all child asylum seekers off Nauru by the end of the year.

Mr Brandis, now Australia's high commissioner to the United Kingdom, told British radio "there are hardly any children in Nauru and we expect by the end of the year there'll be none".

According to The Australian, the Australian government set the unofficial timeline as it quietly works to remove children and their families.

It's understood there are 40 still on the tiny Pacific island, as more are brought to Australia unannounced.

A government spokesman said they won’t be settled permanently here.

Scott Morrison this morning defended conditions on Nauru, saying there are more medical staff than children, and they're not living in detention.

The prime minister confirmed they're being "quietly" brought here, "without show boating", in line with government policy.

Reports suggest 13 have been transferred in the last few days for medical treatment and assessment.

The government has come under increasing pressure from political opponents, advocate and health groups, and even some coalition MPs, to re-settle them all, amid claims of a humanitarian crisis and worsening conditions on the island.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott earlier this week said Nauru wasn't a "hell hole", but a "very, very pleasant island" for those who liked the tropics.