A Perth university student has left Australia to join the Islamic State terrorist group, becoming the first known recruit for the militants from Western Australia.

Muhammed Sheglabo migrated from Libya in 2010 and had been studying economics at Murdoch University.

Last month, the 23-year-old told his parents he was going camping but instead he took a flight overseas.

Family members say they did not even know he had gone overseas until police told them.

Sheglabo is thought to be with IS forces at the Syria-Iraq border.

Earlier this month he used Twitter to say: “Pass my greetings to my family and tell them don’t cry, be happy, ur son is here.”

He has also posted photos of himself wearing combat clothing, and wielding knives and AK-47s.