Bangkok: An espionage charge laid against Australian filmmaker James Ricketson in Phnom Penh could strain the Turnbull government's relations with Cambodia, as Canberra clings to a controversial $55 million refugee deal.

Mr Ricketson has been charged with gathering information that could jeopardise Cambodia's national security. He could face up to 10 years jail if convicted.

Australian filmmaker James Ricketson in police custody in Phnom Penh.

Australia's standard response in matters where its citizens get into legal trouble overseas is that it cannot intervene in the legal affairs of another nation. It provides only consular assistance.

But Mr Ricketson was charged on Friday with "receiving or collecting information, processes, objects, documents, computerised data or files with a view to supplying them to a foreign state or its agents, which are liable to prejudice the national defence".