Toasting champagne at the ministry, Scott Morrison, immigration minister of one of the world's richest countries - Australia - signed off on a deal to send refugees to one of the world's poorest countries.

The deal with Cambodia in exchange for AUD 40 million in aid has been heavily criticised by rights groups, the Cambodian and Australian opposition parties and the Cambodian public.

Taking no questions from reporters, Morrison and Cambodian interior minister Sar Kheng released scant details on the agreement, though it has been confirmed that a trial program will be run before the final number of refugees to be resettled in decided.