Australian jihadists fighting in Syria pose 'national security risk' on return

Nearly 120 Australians fighting in the Syrian civil war are reportedly learning new deadly skills that could be used on their return to the country.

The Australian jihad recruits are also being funded by Muslim communities collecting money for humanitarian aid.

Federal Attorney-General George Brandis also warned some fighters could commit terrorist acts in Australia, news.com.au reports.

According to the report, he said that these individuals are not only potentially breaching Australian laws and committing offences offshore, but pose a significant national security risk after their return to Australia.

Brandis made the comments during the Interpol Global Security and Counterterrorism Convention in Sydney.

Australians fighting in Syria would gain new skills 'including the ability to conduct an attack on Australian soil', he added.

Last month the Australian police arrested two Sydney men, Hamdi al-Qudsi and Amin Mohammed, whom they allege helped at least five people to travel to Syria.

Meanwhile Facebook pages are filling up with photographs of Australians posing with rifles and tanks on the battlefront, the report added.