Bishop aware of socialite's bribery arrest

The foreign affairs department is monitoring the case of a prominent socialite with ties to Australia after her arrest on international bribery charges.

Sheri Yan, the wife of former Australian intelligence analyst Roger Uren, is accused by US prosecutors of making large payments to ex-president of the United Nations General Assembly John Ashe.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Monday said her department was "focusing" on the matter but could not confirm Ms Yan's status.

"I've been briefed on the matter, but it's a fairly complex issue," she told reporters in Canberra.

"I don't want to compromise any of the investigations that are underway."

Ms Yan reportedly has been a fixture in Australia-China business circles for more than a decade.

She and her husband recently moved their family base from Beijing to Canberra, Fairfax Media said.