Mr Abbott declined an invitation to visit Afghanistan with Prime Minister Julia Gillard last weekend because he did not want to be jetlagged during the Conservative Party conference in England.
Mr Abbott's excuse was widely criticised, forcing him to admit to a poor choice of words.
He has since visited troops in Tarin Kowt on his way back from Europe, a spokeswoman says.
Immigration Minister Chris Bowen on Sunday told the Nine Network that everyone would welcome the visit.
"The troops would welcome that and I think that's totally appropriate, that's a welcome thing," he said.
Mr Bowen said Mr Abbott wouldn't have had less access to the troops if he had gone with the prime minister.
"I think he would have had full access if he was there with the prime minster but equally, now that he's gone by himself, that's perfectly appropriate as well," he said.
It has been reported that Mr Abbott wanted to be embedded with the troops, in the same way as some journalists are, but Mr Bowen said he wasn't aware of such a request.
"I could understand the reasons why he would want to see the operations in Afghanistan as closely as possible," he said.
"Also ... we understand the reasons of the defence forces in protecting both his personal security and the personal security of the troops."
