An Australian soldier has been killed following a fall this afternoon on Aoraki/Mt Cook.

Mt Cook. Source: 1 NEWS

Police say the 44-year-old, who's believed to be a member of Australian special forces, fell down a 30-40 metre crevasse in the Grand Plateau area during a survival training exercise.

Australian Defence confirmed the death of the soldier, saying he was Sydney-based and a member of the Australian 2nd Commando Regiment. He was highly qualified and experienced in alpine, mountain and altitude activities, they said.

The area is dangerous and only supposed to be used by skilled alpine climbers.

Westpac Rescue Paramedic Brent Williams says that the nature of the terrain meant it took them a while to reach the man and get him medical help.

His companions tried to revive him using CPR but were unsuccessful.

No other members of the party, believed to number 10, were injured in the incident.

His body has been recovered and flown back to the Mount Cook Emergency Service Centre. His family has been notified but his name has not been released.