The special "exemption" for Australian dual nationals from Donald Trump's tough new travel bans announced by the Turnbull government on Tuesday turns out not to be an exemption at all.

Dual nationals in nearly every other country across the world will in fact enjoy the same continued access to the US, according to a new statement from the US embassy to Fairfax Media.

Following days of global confusion about how the bans would apply, including whether Australians who also hold the citizenship of one of seven listed terror-prone countries would be affected, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced on Tuesday morning Australians would not be affected.

He issued a joint statement with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop titled, "Turnbull government secures US exemption for Australian passport holders".