The Abbott government has flagged possible cuts to the level of help Australians can expect if they get into trouble overseas.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has announced the government is devising a new "consular strategy" for 2014-16 and she is now inviting public comment.
"More Australians are going abroad each year," Ms Bishop said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Most have enjoyable and trouble-free experiences but some encounter difficulties and seek consular assistance."
The minister says the cases the government deals with are increasingly complex and she wants a new approach that encourages people to be more self-reliant.
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She says submissions should address the questions contained in an issues paper, which points out Australians have "no right" to consular services.
The paper asks people to consider who should be able to access consular assistance and what services could potentially be reduced or withdrawn.
It points in particular to Australians involved in criminal proceedings abroad, saying such cases absorb more than half the time the government spends on consular work.
"Such cases are by nature complex but changing current policies and practices could allow resources to be directed to cases where help is needed most," the paper says.
This might include reducing the frequency of prison visits or attendance at trials and other court processes, the issues paper says.
The paper also asks if consular services should be varied according to local circumstances and according to the capacity of the individual to cope.
It also asks for comment on what can be done to improve public understanding of consular services and the role played by the media and social media.
"While the government will continue to assist Australians when they are caught up in disasters or political turmoil abroad, consular assistance should not be the first resort," Ms Bishop said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade helped 11,927 people in difficulty overseas in 2012/13.
