Xiao Chen has migrated to Australia illegally. From Jakarta, immigrants take a bus to Bali. From there, it's a ship to Australia which cost them about $2000. It's not a cheap journey, but for many it's their only hope. Fujian Province in China is a main source of Australia's illegal traffic. The snakeheads - Chinese mafia - there have a very complex network of agents working for them.

One recent recruit tells us how the system works. "Big snakeheads are grouped into a set, one stays here, the other is stationed overseas. The big snakehead in China would recruit a number of small snakeheads who would approach people asking if they want to go overseas."

Once they leave the mainland, an immigrant's perilous journey has only just begun. Weather can be unpredictable, especially for the rickety old fishing boats that take them. Recently, 15 of the 20 immigrants on one such vessel drowned when the crew abandoned them before their destination. Ashmore Reef, nicknamed 'Hotel Ashmore', is a common drop-off point for the ships bringing over immigrants. Of around 1,000 people known to have arrived illegally by boat this year, almost 400 have been left at Ashmore. Two naval patrol boats are bringing 25 illegals plucked from the boats at Ashmore back to Darwin. About one third of those arrivals are genuine refugees and may be allowed to stay. The rest will be sent back -- or worse. Life isn't exactly easy for the fishermen who take them to Australia illegally, either. The fish trade is becoming less and less profitable, as the price of fish decreases. "I'm a poor man," says Omar. "If someone was to pay me a lot, of course I'd have to go. It's a matter of making enough to live." But the consequences of being discovered are grave.

Produced by ABC Australia