Australia's plans for an ongoing military mission in Afghanistan are firming, with the government set to follow the US and keep troops there next year.
That follows the visit of US President Barack Obama to Afghanistan and his announcement that about 9800 US troops will remain in 2015.
Defence Minister David Johnston says Australia welcomes President Obama's decision to shift the US military mission from a combat to an advisory role.
"A decision on the size and nature of our commitment will be made later this year in consultation with the United States and our other partners in Afghanistan," he said in a statement.
Senator Johnston said Australia pledged to contribute to the post-2014 NATO-led mission to train, advise and assist Afghan security forces, subject to legal arrangements.
Australia ended combat operations in Afghanistan and withdrew about 1000 troops in 2013 but still has about 400 troops performing advisory and training jobs.
But the presence of any international forces beyond 2014, when the International Security Assistance Force mission officially concludes, remains uncertain because of the absence of an agreement with the Afghan government.
The US and Afghanistan have negotiated a bilateral security agreement, but Afghan President Hamid Karzai refused to sign, saying that should be done by his successor.
Both the US and Australia had threatened to withdraw all forces if agreement could not be reached soon.
The new president is tipped to be Abdullah Abdullah, who is the likely victor of the run-off poll to be held on June 14.
Senator Johnston said ongoing involvement of the US, Australia and other Western nations was contingent on Afghan agreement of the Bilateral Security Agreement and a Status of Forces Agreement with NATO.
Appropriate legal arrangements would be the key to any future Australian mission.
"NATO and partners are at an important point in the planning for a Status of Forces Agreement with Afghanistan in order to provide the legal framework for the post-2014 mission," he said.
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