Prime Minister Tony Abbott has confirmed Parliament House in Canberra has been a target for terrorists and security will be beefed up.

Mr Abbott said a review of security at the building was conducted after the potential threats were identified.

“One of the first consequences of the review of security has been moves to put Australian Federal Police back in charge of internal as well as external security,” he told the Nine Network on Friday from Kirribilli House in Sydney.

“It is happening almost immediately.”

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About 5000 people work in Parliament House when it sits and it’s a major attraction in Canberra for tourists and groups of schoolchildren.

Asked if people would be safe, Mr Abbott said “it is a safe country but we have to be aware there are people … who would do us harm.”