The Federal Government has raised concerns that Australians may be caught up with a group fighting the Assad regime in Syria that has been listed as a terrorist organisation.

Jabhat al-Nusra is the first group in four years to be listed in Australia as a terrorist organisation.

The Government describes Jabhat al-Nusra as an extremist group with direct links to Al Qaeda in Iraq and has been responsible for indiscriminate bombings in Syria.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus says it is not part of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces.

For operational reasons the Australian Government will not say how many Australians are believed to be fighting for groups in Syria but they face prosecution when they return home.

There is the prospect that they could be charged and potentially face heavy penalties.

Last month, the ABC's 7:30 program raised concerns from the Social Justice Network that there is a small minority group of Jabhat al-Nusra supporters in Western Sydney.