Efforts to release Ken Elliot intensify

Australian officials on the ground in Niger hope to speak to Jocelyn Elliot about her husband who's still being held by militants in west Africa.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop was able to talk to Mrs Elliot on the weekend after she was released in Niger.

The pair were kidnapped last month by al-Qaeda-affiliated militants from the Burkina Faso town of Djibo near the Mali border, where the Christian couple operate a 120-bed medical clinic.

"We have a number of people from relevant agencies who are in the area," Ms Bishop told Seven Network.

"They will work with her to find out as much as they can about who is holding Dr Elliot and where."

Ms Bishop said Mrs Elliot was tired and looking forward to having a "sleep in a lovely bed, as she put it".