Indonesia and Australia have not resolved plans for joint patrols in the South China Sea despite bilateral talks between their defence ministers.
Marise Payne met with her Indonesian counterpart Ryamizard Ryacudu in Sydney on Thursday to discuss maritime co-operation, peace-keeping missions, counter-terrorism and a recent diplomatic tiff over "offensive" material at an Australian military base.
But while the pair discussed a maritime declaration nutted out between the two sides in February, there were no final decisions on patrols.
"So far Indonesia and Australia, we haven't come to the conclusion of the mechanism of co-operation or joint operation to resolve the issue of South China Sea," General Ryacudu said through a translator.
But he stressed the importance of all claimants exercising caution to resolve issues and not provoke military action.
Senator Payne said Australia would decide on any requests on merit, but Australia and Indonesia already held regular patrols in the region.
"We are keen to look at increasing that activity that will be a navy-to-navy engagement which will be under way."
General Ryacudu also thanked the Defence Force for resolving tensions following an incident where Indonesia suspended military co-operation over apparently insulting materials found at a Perth military training barracks last year.
"Most of the conflicts in many areas is because of lack of trust and confidence so it's very important to build the trust and build confidence," he said.
The Indonesian defence minister also added Jakarta didn't mind the presence of US marines in Darwin.
"We don't consider this presence as a threat."
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