Australia has lost another soldier, the 39th Australian Defence Force soldier to be killed in Afghanistan since 2002.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith described the fallen digger as a 24-year old "brave, young, Australian soldier".

The special forces soldier was killed by an improvised explosive device while on a partnered mission with Afghan forces in the bordering areas of Oruzgan Province.

The solider was killed instantly while clearing an insurgent compound. No other Australian or Afghan personnel were killed or injured in the explosion.