An estimated 20 Australians have been killed in the conflict in Syria and Iraq, which has attracted thousands of foreign fighters.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop condemned their actions during an address in parliament on Tuesday.
She said the world had “expressed outrage” over the violent actions of the IS group, which include the recent executions of two Japanese journalists and a Jordanian pilot.
“These brutal acts are being carried out or aided by foreign fights sickening from countries that include Australia,” she said.
'They are not martyrs. They are just cannon fodder'
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
“Approximately 16,000 foreign fighters from some 90 countries are believed to be in Syria and Iraq. Ninety Australians are believed to be in the conflict, along with 3000 from west European states," Ms Bisop said.
“We believe that over 20 Australians have been killed in the Syria-Iraq conflict. They are not martyrs. They are just cannon fodder for an evil cause.”
Ms Bishop said people leaving to become foreign fighters tended to be younger, including teenagers.
“Per capita, Australia’s number of foreign fighters is high, well above the United States for example.”
She said there were also more women leaving to join either their foreign fighter husbands or become “jihadist brides”.
“Per capita, Australia’s number of foreign fighters is high, well above the United States for example,” she said.
Ms Bishop said that to date, the passports of 90 Australians have been cancelled and five suspended. A further 10 passports were not issued.
She said that Attorney-General George Brandis would attend a summit in Washington next week, to work on the “global response” to terrorism.
