Dutton says Jordan camp trip 'confronting'

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has vowed to uphold Australia's tough border protection policies, despite his "confronting" visit to a Syrian refugee camp in Jordan.

Mr Dutton was taken on a tour of the world's second-largest refugee camp, Zaatari, on Monday, and gave credit to the country for opening their arms to more than 600,000 Syrian refugees.

But he told ABC radio the trip only reinforced the federal government's policy of turning back boats, saying it allowed Australia to offer a helping hand and new life to those Syrians.

"The lesson of today reinforces that we have made the right decision," he said.

Mr Dutton reportedly was briefed by the UNHCR on how Australia will decide which 12,000 Syrian refugees to resettle as part of its expanded humanitarian program.

It's expected the first group will arrive before Christmas.