A growing number of Sydney girls, some as young as nine, are reportedly being taken overseas and forced to become child brides.
More than 70 cases have been reported to the government-run child protection helpline over the past two years, the Daily Telegraph says.
Most of the tip-offs have come from teachers, counsellors and school principals.
NSW Family and Community Services Minister Brad Hazzard told the paper the "barbaric and cruel" practice has prompted him to call on the federal government to take action.
Mr Hazzard told the ABC it's unacceptable for children to be sent abroad to be married.
"There is no doubt that there is a tsunami of young girls - some as young as nine - who have been taken overseas and forced to become child brides, and quite simply the Baird government is saying to those communities this is Australia you are living in and you must acknowledge our laws and protect our children," he said.
