CHILD sex offenders will be banned from travelling overseas under new laws as it emerged about 800 had travelled abroad in the past year.

About 40 per cent of them — or more than 300 — had travelled to South East Asia in the past 12 months, Australian Federal Police figures show.

Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop and Justice Minister Michael Keenan on Friday announced the Federal Government would develop new measures along with independent Senator Derryn Hinch.

Senator Hinch was elected off the back of a long-running campaign to name and shame convicted child sex offenders.

Earlier this week, the Senator used parliamentary privilege to accuse a Brisbane private school of failing to notify parents about a teacher who had been convicted of child sex offences.

Authorities are currently able to petition the Foreign Minister to cancel sex offenders’ passports or refuse to issue passports.

A number of offenders have already had passports refused or cancelled under those measures.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the Federal Government would work with states and territories to identify individuals who had been convicted of serious offences.

“What we’re talking about are some of the worst grubs you can imagine,” the Prime Minister told 3AW.

“They’re a disgrace to Australia.

“We believe that by further co-operation with the States and Territories, once we identify people who have been convicted of serious offences of this kind, then of course the Foreign Minister can revoke their passports.

“We don’t want Australians travelling to South East Asia for these sexual criminal activities.”