Dozens of French crew members stuck in Antarctica are growing frustrated as they wait to hear from families and leave the frozen continent.

Key points: The French supply ship L'Astrolabe is laid up in Hobart with technical issues

The French supply ship L'Astrolabe is laid up in Hobart with technical issues Some of the research staff waiting at Durmont d'Urville station have been there since February

Some of the research staff waiting at Durmont d'Urville station have been there since February Australia's supply ship Aurora Australis will pick up the expeditioners some time next month

Their icebreaker, L'Astrolabe, was due to arrive at the French research station Dumont d'Urville last week but it is stranded in Hobart waiting for repairs.

The icebreaker last visited the station in February.

Some of the 42 crew members have been desperately waiting to go back home after a long, gruelling winter and be reunited with their families, but that has now been delayed.

Others have been waiting on fresh food, mail, fuel and scientific equipment deliveries for almost a year.

The leader of the French Antarctic mission at Dumont d'Urville, Alain Quivoron, said many of the crew members were "disappointed".

"It is frustrating to be uncertain about our departure date," he said.

Captain Celine Tuccelli says the ship can not sail south until it is "in the best shape". ( ABC News: Katri Uibu )

"Most of the younger members of the mission would have been happy to stay longer, but the older ones find the situation inconvenient and would have preferred to come back to their families."

Captain Celine Tuccelli said the icebreaker has technical issues.

"During a diving operation we found that we had an unusual wear of the bearings of the shaft lines," she said.

"In the ice you have to take no risk with the security of the passengers and of the crew.

"The ship can sail in open seas, there's no problem with that, but it's like an athlete that's preparing for competition — if you're not in the best shape, you don't go in.

"Antarctica is a very strong environment."

The icebreaker will leave for Fremantle next Friday for repair works.

Australia to the rescue

Meanwhile, the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) has stepped in and offered to send its icebreaker, Aurora Australis, to the French base.

AAD director Kim Ellis said the Australian team had a close relationship with the French crew and was happy to help.

The L'Astrolabe will sail to Fremantle for repairs this week. ( ABC News: Katri Uibu )

"There is a great spirit of co-operation and support among the nations working in Antarctica and we are very happy we can help our French colleagues when needed," Mr Ellis said.

Aurora Australis will transport expeditioners, cargo and 250,000 litres of fuel to Dumont d'Urville and French-Italian station Concordia.

The icebreaker is currently on its way back to Hobart, where it will restock and head to the two French stations via Macquarie Island.

Mr Ellis said assisting the French could lead to minor disruption in the Australian Antarctic program shipping schedule.

"While the fine details are still being worked out, we always allow for contingencies in our summer season, so we don't expect a significant impact on the season or projects," he said.

Director of the French Polar Institute Jerome Chappellaz said the Australian team had saved their Antarctic summer field campaign.

"Without the support of the Australian Antarctic Division, keeping our research stations running and undertaking scientific research would have been extremely difficult," Mr Chappellaz said.