Patrols in the South China Sea are likely to be discussed when Australian and Indonesian defence ministers meet in Sydney.
Indonesian defence minister Ryamizard Ryacudu touched down in Sydney on Wednesday ahead of his bilateral meeting with Defence Minister Marise Payne on Thursday.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo reportedly flagged interest in joint or co-ordinated patrols ahead of his visit to Australia last month but the Turnbull government later played down the prospect.
Federal Labor threw its support behind the concept on Wednesday.
"Joint patrols, between Australia and Indonesia in the South China, is a great idea," opposition defence spokesman Richard Marles told the Australian Strategic Policy Institute in Canberra on Wednesday.
"It saddens me that we're not initiating that... but it's a good thing to do."
AAP understands maritime co-operation and closer defence industry ties are on the agenda for the ministerial talks as well as an upcoming Association of South-East Asian Nations defence ministers meeting.
Australia and Indonesia are set to become joint chairs of the meeting in April and need to nut out a date and location.
A recent draft framework agreement towards a code of conduct on the South China Sea negotiated between the 10 ASEAN countries and China may also be discussed.
In January, there was a minor hiccup in Canberra and Jakarta's defence co-operation when an Indonesian military chief suspended ties over apparently insulting materials found at a Perth military training barracks last year.
Following an investigation, the matter has been smoothed over and suspended languages courses at the barracks are expected to resume shortly.
Meanwhile, outgoing Indonesian ambassador Nadjib Riphat Kesoema departed Australia on Wednesday.
His replacement Yohanes Kristiarto Soeryo Legowo is expected to arrive next month.
