Terror suspects who planned to join ISIL by sailing to Indonesia set to be extradited to Melbourne

Five men charged with terror-related offences over their alleged plan to leave Australia in a fishing boat and join ISIL in Syria will be extradited from Cairns to Melbourne.

The five, who are all from Melbourne and include Islamic preacher Musa Cerantonio, were arrested near Cairns last Tuesday towing the seven-metre vessel en route to the tip of Cape York.

They allegedly planned to sail by boat to Indonesia and from there make their way to Syria.

The men appeared before the Cairns Magistrates Court today where Australian Federal Police successfully applied for their extradition to Victoria.

The extradition was requested owing to the fact that Victoria was where the group allegedly plotted the trip to Syria, Attorney-General George Brandis said.

The men are expected to appear before a Melbourne magistrate on Thursday.

Over the weekend, all five were charged with making preparations for incursions into foreign countries to engage in hostile activities.

If found guilty, they could face a maximum penalty of life in jail.

Senator Brandis confirmed yesterday that each of the men had had their passports cancelled several months ago by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.

They had also been under surveillance for some time, including when they attempted to leave the country, he said.

Senator Brandis said 10 search warrants had been executed in Melbourne and Far North Queensland as part of the investigation.

Police have said the investigation was focused on "keeping Australians safe".

"There is no current or impending threat of a terrorist act to the Australian community arising from this investigation," they said in a statement last week.