Defence told minister Trump win unlikely

Australia's defence department was no better than just about everyone else in predicting the outcome of last year's US presidential race.

The department, in a briefing document to its minister Marise Payne, and obtained by the ABC under Freedom of Information laws, said there were no signs Donald Trump could peg back Hillary Clinton's lead in battleground states.

The document contained extensive polling information and rated Mr Trump's chance of winning the election as unlikely.