The Morrison government is taking a conservative approach to the idea of repatriating 66 Australian women and children trapped in the al-Hawl camp in Syria.
The security situation in the camp has dramatically deteriorated in the past 48 hours, with Islamic State supporters opening fire at guards.
But Prime Minister Scott Morrison says it's "way too dangerous" to send Australians in to rescue any citizens stranded there.
"There are some quite hideous things that are occurring in these camps and there are some pretty hideous people in them who don't want to do Australia any favours," he told Sky News on Wednesday.
Veiled women living in al-Hol camp which houses relatives of Islamic State (IS) group members, queue to receive medical aid. Source: Getty
"Let's not assume that the individuals, particularly the adults, who are involved here don't present any potential threat to Australia.
"That would be a big mistake to make."
There are 70,000 people living at the camp, which was erected by Kurdish forces in the Syrian desert to house the relatives of former Islamic State fighters.
US President Donald Trump has railed against European countries that many of the fighters hail from for not taking them back, threatening while he met with Mr Morrison in Washington to release the fighters at those countries' borders.
But Mr Morrison said the question of Australians in the camp was not raised during their talks.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the Australians, most of them under five, are in a complex situation.
The Australian government would weigh each case individually.
"As far as individuals are concerned and in some cases families, we are assessing each of those cases on their merits. But our first duty is of course to protect Australia and Australians," she told ABC radio.
She rejected suggestions from Kurdish authorities that Australia was not doing enough to help cover the costs of running the camp.
A girl, living in al-Hol camp which houses relatives of Islamic State (IS) group members, looks back in the camp in northeastern Syria. Source: AFP
The minister said Australia had made "a very significant commitment" of humanitarian aid to help fund food, health care and shelter.
"That's part of our support for those people," Ms Payne said.
