Approval for a North Korean embassy in Canberra has been put on hold following this week's nuclear test by the rogue nation.

Officials from the country were due to arrive this weekend to scope out sites for the diplomatic mission but have been told not to come.

"We postponed the arrival of North Korean diplomats in Australia as a gesture following this detonation," Foreign Minister Bob Carr told a Senate hearing.

"We still adhere to the view that there's value in having a North Korean diplomatic presence here, in particular so we can speak directly about these concerns for peace and security and stability in east Asia."

The Australian Government had previously indicated its willingness to approve a request from North Korea to re-establish its embassy in Canberra, more than four years after it was closed.

But that approval has been suspended because of North Korea's nuclear test, in violation of several United Nations Security Council resolutions.

In a joint statement issued after the detonation on Tuesday, Senator Carr and Prime Minister Julia Gillard condemned the regime's actions.

"North Korea's development of nuclear weapons and missiles and its proliferation of sensitive technologies threaten international peace and security," they said.

A South Korean television screen at a train station in Seoul shows news about the North Korean nuclear test. ( Reuters: Kim Hong-Ji )

Senator Carr says he plans to speak with UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon tomorrow to support the UN's strong condemnation of the action.

"I'm [also] looking for an opportunity to convey to representatives of Beijing that we understand the sincerity and the strength of their intervention with North Korea as the only nation likely to have influence on the behaviour of that country."

Australia has a range of sanctions in place against North Korea in response to missile and nuclear tests carried out in 2006.

They prohibit travel into Australia by North Koreans, as well as a ban on North Korean ships docking in Australia.

The sanctions are in addition to those imposed as part of a United Nations order which banned the sale or supply of arms to the reclusive regime.

The UN sanctions also prohibit anyone from providing financial support or technical advice to North Korea in relation to military hardware.