Australia will deploy two military aircraft to South Sudan to assist United Nations efforts to restore peace to the world's youngest nation.

Acting Prime Minister Warren Truss announced on Thursday Australia had agreed to a UN request for support to transport personnel and equipment to the war-torn country.

Acting Prime Minister Warren Truss has announced Australia will send military aircraft to the conflict in South Sudan. Credit:Michelle Smith

On Wednesday, Australian time, the United Nations Security Council unanimously approved a temporary increase in the strength of the United Nations mission in the country, from 7000 military personnel and 900 police to 12,500 military personnel and more than 1300 police.

Thousands of South Sudanese have been killed in more than a week of violence following the eruption of the conflict in the capital Juba on December 15.