The government is widely expected to sign off on a proposal to expand the RAAF's bombing campaign from Iraq to the even more dangerous Syria as part of the ongoing fight against Islamic State extremists.

Mr Abbott confirmed the national security committee of cabinet would consider the proposal this week.

"We are taking the request from the United States very seriously indeed," he told reporters in Hobart. "It does need to be carefully considered and we will be making a decision later on this week."

Mr Abbott's comments come after Defence Minister Kevin Andrews revealed he will be advocating for the expanded strikes.

Australian fighter-bombers would be given permission to undertake limited and carefully planned strikes against IS targets in Syria that are used to launch attacks into Iraq, Mr Andrews told News Corp papers.

"This is ultimately a decision for the national security committee of cabinet to make," Mr ­Andrews said.

"However, in light of the circumstances, my inclination is to do this. This is not a radical departure from what we are doing now; it is simply widening our area of operation."

At the moment, Australia is acting with one hand tied behind its back, he said.

IS controls a large amount of territory in eastern Syria that serves as a source of recruitment and oil revenues. It also uses the area as a base from which it launches attacks in both Syria and Iraq.

With no security forces along the porous Syria-Iraq border, IS can move back and forth with impunity.

RAAF refuellers and command and control aircraft are already supporting coalition operations in Syria, in addition to their primary role of supporting air force combat operations in Iraq.

Mr Abbott sent a strong signal he is in favour of expanding the strikes.

"We are very determined to play our part in the international campaign against the death cult which isn't just horribly persecuting people in the Middle East but reaching out to this country," he said.