Spy agency monitors right wing extremists

ASIO boss Duncan Lewis says extreme right wing groups are better organised and are recruiting more actively in Australian than in the past.

The country's spy chief says domestic support for right wing extremist groups is increasing "off a very low base" and his agency is watching the development closely.

Giving evidence before a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra on Monday, Mr Lewis confirmed ASIO was looking into reports extremist groups were attempting to infiltrate mainstream political parties.