Aust served on UN with distinction: Bishop

The federal government will seek another seat on the United Nations Security Council "at the right time", Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says.

Australia will relinquish its temporary seat on the UNSC at the end of next month after a two-year term.

Ms Bishop is in New York for Australia's final UNSC presidency and says the nation has done itself proud.

"Australia has served with distinction," she told Sky News on Friday.

"We would seek a seat on the security council again at the right time."

In opposition, Ms Bishop was critical of the then-Labor government's bid for the seat.

But she says the coalition always intended making the best of the opportunity in government.

There had been positive feedback from other countries on Australia's input and it was seen as a practical and proactive contributor.

Ms Bishop singled out Australia's leadership on issues like the MH17 atrocity, humanitarian crisis in Syria, small arms trade and foreign terrorist fighters.