Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has suggested economic and other sanctions against Russia are unlikely at this stage given the lack of consensus between the United States and Europe.
Ms Bishop also described Moscow's claim that it was acting to protect Russian-speaking communities in Ukraine as a "disturbing precedent".
The Australian foreign minister will meet with her UK counterpart William Hague in London on Monday afternoon (Tuesday morning AEDT) with Russia's "intervention" in Ukraine and the Crimea on the agenda.
"Economic and other sanctions are being considered," the Australian foreign minister told reporters after she opened the London stock exchange.
"You can't rule that out - but I don't believe there's consensus across the United States and the European Union."
Canberra has cancelled a planned visit to Russia by Trade Minister Andrew Robb and also scrapped the Russian national security adviser's scheduled trip to Australia.
Ms Bishop on Monday was asked if the UK should continue selling arms to Russia given the situation in Ukraine.
"That's a matter for the United Kingdom to consider in the context of the scenario that's unfolding between Russia, the Ukraine and Crimea," she said.
"I am concerned that Russia's claim that it has a right to intervene in other states to protect Russian-speaking communities is not only unjustifiable but it also sets a disturbing precedent for other former Soviet republics."
Ms Bishop argued for continuing dialogue and diplomacy.
"We urge the Russian government to de-escalate the tensions, withdraw troops and not breach Ukraine's sovereignty."
Diplomatic efforts to calm the Ukraine crisis are creeping forward with Moscow saying it will consider Western proposals for talks but insisting Crimea has the right to secede.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had reportedly promised to meet with his foreign minister on Monday to discuss the possibility of creating an "international contact group" - the first indication he may be willing to join talks being pushed by the US and Germany to ease the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War.
