New global watch office to open from July

A new global watch office within the Department of Foreign Affairs will monitor overseas events in real-time to help Australians caught up in a crisis.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop announced the new initiative in parliament on Tuesday.

"There will be real-time information provided to Australians on a 24/7 basis - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - to ensure those Australians citizens who are affected by a crisis receive information and support as it occurs," she said.