Sydney - Australia has slashed the number of African refugees admitted into the country partly because many have problems settling into the community, the government said on Tuesday.

Over the past two years the intake of Africans has been cut from 70 percent of the total of 13 000 refugees to just 30 percent, Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews told reporters.

The revelation was immediately condemned as bordering on racism by refugee rights groups.

"It's not on a basis of a race as such," Andrews said.

"It's simply on the basis of whether or not people can settle in Australia. I don't see much point, if you are having problems, then adding to those problems by continuing to bring more people in."

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