The federal government expects to get the Iraqi government's approval for military missions within days.
But Iraq's ambassador Mouayed Saleh has cast doubt on how quickly the green light could be given.
An RAAF Wedgetail surveillance aircraft and a refueller have flown their first missions over Iraq, but Super Hornets remain on stand-by pending approval for their first bombing raids against Islamic State targets.
Both support planes returned safely to Australia's base in the United Arab Emirates.
The Iraqi government has yet to formally request Australia take part in a specific combat operation.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the government would be making further decisions "in coming days" while Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Australia so far had only responded to a general request from Iraq.
"When the details are known and we have the appropriate diplomatic clearances, then the matter will go to the national security committee for consideration and then to our cabinet," she said.
Mr Saleh said his country was considering a submission from Australia to conduct air strikes, but said it could be a week before approval was given.
That's because the Eid al-Adha festival, which starts on Friday, effectively shuts down Iraq for about a week.
"If there is a special session for the cabinet for them to be called back to consider all the missile defence, probably we will do that," Mr Saleh told the ABC.
"But because of the holidays, they may not have that result until the end of the festival."
The ambassador later said he was not aware of any major obstacles to the approval.
"As soon as I guess all the paperwork gets cleared from Iraq, definitely they would be able to start to join the coalition."
Iraq's Council of Ministers, which met on Tuesday, welcomed international offers of air cover and logistical support but rejected the need for any ground forces.
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