Prime Minister John Howard says two navy warships on standby could be used to evacuate Australians from Timor Leste if unrest returns to the nation.
Australian Navy transport ships HMAS Kanimbla and Manoora are heading towards Timor Leste, ready to be called into service if Timor Leste requests assistance.
East Timorese Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta said he had not been told about any Australian warships heading for his country.
But Prime Minister John Howard says that while there had been no request for help from Tim0or Leste, the two countries are in regular communication.
Mr Howard is now in Washington for a two-week visit to the United States, Canada and Ireland.