Forced removal: The tearful Tamil father taken to the airport, after being removed from the Redcliffe detention centre. Pictures: Alf Sorbello/PerthNow

A Tamil family seeking asylum in Australia has been removed from a detention centre in Perth, in order to be taken to the government's detention centre in Nauru.

Protestors attempted to blockade the driveway of the detention centre in Redcliffe, but were dragged away by police, reported PerthNow.

The young Tamil couple arrived in Australia eight months ago and sought asylum. They were initially held in Nauru but were brought to Perth, where they have relatives, for the woman to give birth to a now 6-month old baby girl.

As they were led to the vehicle taking them to the airport to catch a flight to Darwin, the father called out to refugee advocates, saying: “Thank you, thank you for trying, thank you for helping us.”

The Refugee Rights Action Network said the couple are among about 25 families who are being sent back to Nauru.

“We saw this as a grave injustice. The mother’s parents are living in the community in Perth . . . they’re going to be separated for Christmas,” RRAN spokeswoman Sarah Ross said.

“They are scared and upset. They were detained on Nauru before and they know what awaits them. They fear their baby’s health and welfare.”

Refugee advocate Victoria Martin, who has visited the family, said: “This family delivered their baby here – an absolutely gorgeous little girl. This is a family that has survived war, torture, injury and grief.’’

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has said none of the asylum seekers would be sent to Nauru until January, so the family are expected to be detained in Darwin for now.

“Australia’s offshore policy continues to apply, including anyone transferred to the mainland from an OPC,” he said.