Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has again given strong hints the federal government may increase its emergency intake of Syrian refugees.

Mr Dutton, who has returned from visiting refugee camps in Jordan, told the ABC's Insiders program "more assistance" for Syrians would be needed because "the situation is going to deteriorate".

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton is briefed on United Nations humanitarian work in Amman. Credit:Nick Miller

One of Tony Abbott's last acts as prime minister in September was to announce Australia would permanently resettle 12,000 refugees from Syria.

Mr Abbott said that women, children and families from persecuted minorities who were sheltering in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey would take priority.