Tasmania could become home to an extra 500 asylum seekers under an agreement between the state and federal governments.

Premier Will Hodgman has declared "our door's open" to refugees after talks with Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Mr Hodgman said his advice was the state could accept about 500 asylum seekers on a newly created Safe Haven Enterprise Visa.

Refugees granted a safe haven visa would be required to settle in Tasmania for at least five years to be eligible to apply for other types of visas.

"It shows that we are keen to not only boost our population but to show a humanitarian approach in dealing with what is a terrible global problem," he said.

Details such as the cost of ensuring there are adequate support services available are still being worked out.

"We need to understand what additional burden or cost to the state there would be, it would be something we'd work in partnership with the Federal Government.

"Our door's open. We'll just get those details nailed down and hopefully be in a good position to welcome additional people to our state."

Visa holders would be required to work or study for at least three and a half years and access to social security benefits would be limited to a year and a half.

State Opposition Leader Bryan Green said the move should be just the start of Tasmania's response.

"We welcome the Premier's willingness to consider what Tasmania can do to respond to the refugees crisis in Europe," he said.

"Labor believes Pontville is integral to the state's response and should be used to temporarily house refugees."