Tony Abbott says public life may play out as a backbencher after some 'soul-searching'

The former prime minister said he'd done some serious "soul searching" after being dumped for Malcolm Turnbull in 2015, and had come to the conclusion his public life wasn't over.

"I don't know in what capacity that public life will play out," Mr Abbott told 3AW.

"It may well be as a backbencher.

"I'm here to serve in whatever capacity my party would like."

Mr Abbott said the last time he'd had a face-to-face with Malcolm Turnbull, the prime minister had made it "crystal clear" there was no place for him in Cabinet.

He wouldn't be tied down on the question of a return to the leadership.

Nor did he say if he'd forgiven Mr Turnbull for replacing him in his first term as prime minister.

"I accept politics is a rough business," he said.