The parents of a Queensland teenager suspected of taking up arms in Syria say they had no idea their son was going to leave Australia and don't believe he is supporting terrorists.
The 18-year-old from Toowoomba, on Queensland's Darling Downs, has reportedly joined the Al-Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda-linked terror group.
"We had no indication that he was making plans to travel to the Middle East, however we now know that he is probably there," his parents said in a statement.
"We do not believe he is participating in fighting of any kind, nor do we believe he is supporting or participating in terrorist acts."
The latest intelligence suggests the teenager is currently in a conflict zone, according to Australian Federal Police Commander Peter Crozier.
It's believed the young man lied to his parents to leave the country and police have begun working with his family in a bid to communicate with him.
Mr Crozier urged him to think of what he was putting his family through but said he would face "some sort of action" when he returns.
His parents said they would assist in all efforts to get him safely home.
"We love our son very much," they said.
The cases of two other Queensland men charged with terror offences are due to be mentioned in court next week.
Omar Succarieh, 32, and Agim Kruezi, 22, remain in custody as prosecutors build their case against them.
The men are charged with preparing for incursions into foreign states.
Kruezi is also charged with planning a terrorist act, while Succarieh is charged with providing funds to the terrorist organisation Jabhat al-Nusra.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Friday conceded that governments aren't doing enough to stop troubled youths being drawn to terrorist groups overseas.
"We need to make sure that disengaged youth are not subjected to encouragement from terrorist organisations," she said.
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