Govt warning over Syria war involvement

A former Australian soldier's death while fighting with rebels in Syria has prompted a government warning that Australians who go there to fight are breaking the law.

The Abbott government is also concerned that Australians who travel to Syria to fight with extremist groups will return home radicalised and with dangerous new skills.

Media reports have named combat engineer Caner Temel as the man who died two months ago after he travelled to Syria to fight against the war-torn country's ruling regime.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop did not confirm his name but told parliament on Wednesday he was a former Australian soldier who had been discharged from service as a sapper in 2010 after serving just over a year in the army.

The government was deeply concerned for the safety of Australians travelling to fight in the Syrian war and their radicalisation, she said.

Australia has put in place an arms embargo and those who travel to fight in Syria are breaking the law.

It is also illegal for Australians to fund, train or recruit others to fight, or supply weapons to either side of the war.

"We are concerned about the radicalisation of Australians as a result of the Syrian conflict, particularly those who travel to Syria and return to Australia with capabilities acquired through fighting or training with extremist groups," Ms Bishop told parliament on Wednesday.

The government will continue to cancel the passports of those in breach of the arms embargo.

Assistant Defence Minister Stuart Robert earlier said the government did not know why or when Mr Temel joined the Syrian conflict.

The former soldier had been given basic weapons training, and as an engineer would have done "a limited amount of explosives work".

However, the government did not know why or when he joined the Syrian conflict.

"Once people choose to leave the military it's very difficult for us to keep tabs on them," he said.