Start with helping 10,000 Syrians: Barnett

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says the Abbott government should accept more Syrian refugees and 10,000 would be a good start.

Mr Barnett said WA would be ready to accept up to 1000.

"I would like to see Australia make a decision to take whatever the number might be," he told ABC radio on Monday. "It might be 10,000, it might be spread over quite some time.

"We're a prosperous country. I believe we can do more to help."

Mr Barnett said he hadn't spoken directly with the prime minister about his offer, but several state premiers had made similar comments.

"I would urge Tony Abbott to have a little bit of a rethink here and just say that Australia will take whatever the number is," he said.

"I think 10,000 would be a good start."

Mr Barnett said he wasn't disappointed with the federal government's response.

"But I think talking about long-term changes to intake levels, I don't think does the job in this situation," he said.

"This is an emergency."