Nauru protest turns ugly, advocates say

A protest by refugees angry at their indefinite settlement on Nauru has turned violent when police got involved, advocates claim.

The Refugee Action Coalition says five refugees were slightly injured when Nauruan police blocked a 300-strong protest march on Friday.

It follows a week of non-co-operation on the tiny Pacific island, with some refugees boycotting classes and refusing to work, the group said.

The Department of Immigration confirmed there had been a protest, but an official did not comment on the injury claims.

"The matter was dealt with by the Nauruan Police Force, which is responsible for the safety and good order of Nauruan society," the official said.

"The Australian government remains committed to the processing and resettlement arrangements in place on Nauru."

The island's regional processing centre "remained calm at all times".

Tension is mounting between locals and refugees, Nauru photographer Clint Deidenang told AAP this week.