Rohingya crisis most significant in region

Foreign Minister Marise Payne has described the Rohingya crisis as the most significant humanitarian crisis in the region.

Australia has imposed financial sanctions and travel bans against five Myanmar military officers responsible for human rights violations in Rakhine State.

"This is something we regard as the most significant humanitarian crisis in our region," Senator Payne told an estimates hearing in Canberra on Thursday.

"We are very focused on addressing it with counterparts and through Australia's direct engagement."