Foreign aid spend 'appropriate': McCormack

The Australian government is preparing to reset the objectives behind its foreign aid program, but will not be rethinking the amount of money spent.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack says the aid reallocation would be driven by the government's "Pacific Step-Up" program.

"We will always make sure that our foreign aid is what it should be - looking after, in particular, our neighbourhood, our Pacific friends," he told reporters on Tuesday.

"We will always make sure that our call on our foreign aid budget is measured, considered and appropriate."

The last comprehensive plan for Australia's foreign aid, worth $4 billion this financial year, was set in 2013.

Despite the review, Mr McCormack insisted Australia already had its aid settings right.

"I know that what we're doing at the moment is right," he said.