Bob Carr says while he was foreign minister it was a "safe assumption" to operate as though his phone calls were being monitored.
Mr Carr's comments come after media leaks from former US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden revealed that German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and other foreign leaders, had their personal phones tapped by the US National Security Agency (NSA).
The revelation has created an uproar in Germany and across Europe amid conflicting reports as to whether US President Barack Obama knew of the eavesdropping.
When asked by ABC's Lateline on Thursday whether he operated under the assumption that his calls were being monitored while he was Australia's foreign minister, Mr Carr said it was a "safe assumption".
"In travelling in some parts of the world, one felt that advice more pressing than in other parts of the world," the recently retired NSW senator said.
Mr Carr, who was foreign minister under the former Labor government, says the lesson to be learned out of the leaks is whether allowing security agencies to pursue "adventurous objectives" is worth the potential loss of prestige.
"The Americans are going to have a vigorous debate about whether their national interest has been compromised by a too adventurous activity from intelligence agencies set up, strengthened, and strongly resourced after September 11," he said.
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