Australian travellers who get into trouble overseas are being warned of new limits on what consular support they might receive, especially if they deliberately break local laws.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said embassy staff would be allowed to "limit the scope" of assistance under a new consular strategy released today.

"Some individuals have a pattern of behaviour that has required multiple instances of consular assistance in the past," Ms Bishop said.

"I want to send a very clear message: consular assistance should not be seen as a right, it is a privilege.

"If you deliberately or wilfully abuse the system, you will only receive the absolute minimum level of assistance and advice."

According to the new consular strategy, there are some "misunderstandings" about what Foreign Affairs Department staff can do.

Some examples of traveller queries received by the department include:

"I'm going on a cruise. What will the food be like? Can you drink the water on the ship?"

"I'm going on a cruise. What will the food be like? Can you drink the water on the ship?" A request from an Australian traveller for Foreign Affairs Department staff to feed her dogs while she was away.

A request from an Australian traveller for Foreign Affairs Department staff to feed her dogs while she was away. Requests to book accommodation, and provide an embassy driver to take the traveller to the airport.

Requests to book accommodation, and provide an embassy driver to take the traveller to the airport. "What is the best hotel in Phuket?"

Last year, Foreign Affairs Department staff provided assistance to nearly 15,000 Australians overseas.

Ms Bishop said it is important that consular resources were spent helping those most in need and who are most vulnerable, including women and children.

The strategy document again flags the idea of asking travellers to repay the cost of consular assistance in some circumstances.

Ms Bishop said it remained a "live option" but was not something the Government would introduce at this stage.