The Abbott government is allegedly considering joining military action in Iraq and Syria against Islamic State militants.

The government is considering joining US efforts in Iraq against Islamic State fighters, with ground-attacks by the Royal Australian Air Force, The Australian reports.

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Speaking in Adelaide last week, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the government was examining how to encourage American leadership in Iraq and possibly Syria.

“We are talking to our partners about how we might contribute to international efforts to protect people against the advances of the ISIS terrorists,” Mr Abbott said.

The US has asked for Australian air-attack support in the past, but Australian aircraft lacked adequate self-defence measures.

The Royal Australian Air Force now possesses aircraft which could deploy air strikes in an environment like Iraq.

The alleged three main military options for Australian military are renewed humanitarian air drops, deployment of special forces and air force ground-attacks.

The extremist Islamic State militant group controls territory in Syria and Iraq, and aims to establish an extremist Islamic caliphate across Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Israel.