Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says the Turnbull government is aware of reports North Korea is planning to conduct missile tests on Thursday and repeated her calls for China to do more to pressure the regime in Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear ambitions.

North Korea has provoked increasing alarm in capitals across the Asia-Pacific in recent months by repeatedly testing ballistic missiles in the hope of being able to deliver nuclear warheads across oceans.

There are also reports the country could develop a missile with the range to reach the United States - and northern Australia - as early as next year.

When asked whether Australia had made any plans to defend northern Australia against a possible missile attack Ms Bishop said: "I can't confirm whether that assessment is accurate at this stage but I can say this - North Korea has the clear intention to develop a nuclear armed intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the United States and, therefore, capable of reaching Australia.