Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says the Iran nuclear deal provides a "blueprint" for what could be achieved in Syria.
And Iran agrees.
Speaking on the first day of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said his nation's nuclear agreement could serve as a basis for "foundational change in the region".
"Today, a new chapter has started in Iran's relations with the world," Mr Rouhani said on Monday.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action between Iran and the six world powers was immediately turned into an international instrument with the ratification of the UN Security Council.
"From the standpoint of international law, this instrument sets a strong precedent where, for the first time, two sides, rather than negotiating peace after war, engaged in dialogue and understanding before the eruption of conflict," Mr Rouhani said.
He recognised the role of the US, the UK, France, Russia, Germany, and China, as well as Iran, in achieving the agreement.
However he protested the adoption of "unfair resolutions" against Iran and the imposition of sanctions. Terrorist groups represented a "grave threat" to the world and Iran was committed to work with other countries to end the threat and bring about democracy in Syria and Yemen, he said.
Ms Bishop told reporters the nuclear deal was a "blueprint for other situations where Russia, the US and countries that have not always been on the same side of a particular situation can come together".
The minister has been criticised by Labor MP Michael Danby for "cosying up" to Iran.
However she says the only deal being sought with Iran was to deal with the massive caseload of asylum seekers made worse by the previous Labor government.
