Positive signs between Turkey, Russia

There are positive signs Russia and Turkey won't escalate tension in the wake of the downing of a Russian jet over the Syrian border, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says.

But even with the foreign ministers of both countries due to meet about the incident that doesn't mean there won't be "consequences".

"Even though both sides are making some pretty significant claims against the other their actions indicate that they realise what's at stake and that this could so easily escalate out of control," Ms Bishop told Sky News on Thursday.

Ms Bishop has spoken to Australia's ambassadors in Moscow and Ankara and both say there are positive signs the two countries' foreign ministers will meet.

There are claims and counter-claims about what actually happened and they will need to be tested, she said.

"I hope that having referred it to the (UN) security council both parties will now take the time to investigate this properly," Ms Bishop told the Seven Network.

All Australians travelling to the Middle East and Turkey should exercise a high degree of caution, she said.