The Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) is monitoring 150 citizens in Australia and overseas who have suspected links to "violent extremist groups".
"Young Australians are going overseas and getting themselves killed in foreign conflicts," director-general David Irvine told a Senate estimates hearing on Thursday.
He declined to say how many were in Australia but confirmed some have had their passports cancelled as a result of adverse security assessments.
They were suspected of supporting, providing materials or seeking to recruit or be recruited into the foreign fighters in Syria, he said.
ASIO is concerned Australians involved in the fighting are coming home and sharing their training techniques.
There are also concerns for smaller numbers of Australians engaging in warfare in Yemen.
"I count the numbers on one or two hands at any one time," Mr Irvine said.
In relation to both conflicts, the ASIO chief said it was essential to closely monitor the suspect individuals.
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