Consider extra anti-IS troops: Abbott

Australia should be prepared to consider boosting its military involvement in the fight against Islamic State, former prime minister Tony Abbott says.

Mr Abbott was speaking on Sydney radio 2GB ahead of Malcolm Turnbull heading to New York next week for his first face-to-face meeting with US president Donald Trump.

The leaders' agenda is expected to include the battle against extremists in Iraq and Syria, as well as how to respond to North Korea's development of missiles.

Asked how Mr Turnbull should respond to a possible request from the US for more Australian forces in the Middle East, Mr Abbott said: "If the Americans want additional Australian assistance, I think we should certainly be prepared to consider it. We should be disposed to do it."

Australia is already one of the largest contributors to the fight against Islamic State, with about 1000 personnel in Iraq and RAAF aircraft carrying out at least 2000 missions against IS strongholds.

Mr Turnbull said in a statement responding to the invitation to meet with Mr Trump that it would be an opportunity to reaffirm the US-Australia alliance and the United States' engagement with the Asia-Pacific.