Critics blast federal government's 'immoral and un-Australian' ban on citizens returning from India

Some advocates are also questioning whether the ban could potentially be a violation of Australia's international law obligations.

"The section that the minister has made the emergency direction under also requires whatever action is the least restrictive and least intrusive way of dealing with the risk," peak civil rights group Liberty Victoria's president Julia Kretzenbacher said.

"We have hotel quarantine to deal with the risk, so in Liberty Victoria's view the actions taken are not the least restrictive or least intrusive way of protecting Australians."