Australian golf legend Greg Norman played a pivotal role in securing a phone call between Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and US President-elect Donald Trump.

Key points: Malcolm Turnbull did not have a direct number for Donald Trump, so asked Greg Norman for it on US election night

Mr Turnbull was one of the first world leaders to call Mr Trump

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says Government has been preparing for possible Trump win for months

Mr Turnbull was one of the first world leaders to speak with Mr Trump after his election and has described the conversation as frank, constructive and practical.

The ABC understands the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Government officials did not have a direct contact for Mr Trump until it was provided by Norman, after it became clear Mr Trump was likely to win.

It followed frantic efforts on the night of the election to secure a number for Mr Trump, with officials contacting a number of business and diplomatic contacts to no avail.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop assured Australians after the election that the Government had been preparing for a Trump administration for many months and would be in contact with his transition team.

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Mr Turnbull said Norman was "a great asset" who was committed to maintaining strong ties between Australia and the US.

"In diplomacy and politics you use lots of networks and all I can say is we have great networks, great contacts and Greg Norman is a great Australian," he said.

"One of our greatest assets is the millions of Australians who live overseas. Greg Norman is one of them. He has been a great help."

In a statement, Norman said it was a pleasure and an honour to facilitate the connection between the Prime Minister and Mr Trump, at the request of Australia's ambassador Joe Hockey.

"I have great respect for both men who have been voted in by the people of their respective countries and I am fortunate enough to call Mr Trump a friend, so I was happy to put them in touch to further the incredible long-standing relationship the two countries have experienced," he said.

Norman has known Mr Trump for close to a decade and has told US media he has been in contact with the President-elect several times since his election.

Australia has played US caddy for too long, Di Natale quips

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Norman's involvement was "a little unorthodox, but we live in unorthodox times".

Greens leader Richard Di Natale was more willing to criticise the Government.

"It's hardly a surprise that the Prime Minister would seek to talk to Greg Norman about US foreign policy because Australia has been the caddy of the US for far too long," he said.

The President-elect cited his phone call with Mr Turnbull to reject claims his transition team was in disarray with infighting and firings.

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Malcolm Turnbull spoke to US President-elect Donald Trump on November 10 ( Supplied: Prime Minister's Office )

Mr Trump's transition team released a list of 29 world leaders he and Vice-President-elect Mike Pence had spoken to since the election, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The President-elect took time off his campaign in June to open the Trump International Golf Links course in Scotland.

In a column for US magazine Newsweek, Norman praised the President-elect's clear vision and said he would be a leader for all Americans.

"I believe he will fill a cabinet with quality, experienced, doers that are like-minded yet strong enough to redirect him if they so believe," he said.

Norman said was he glad another golfer had joined the White House.

"I have been lucky enough to play with previous presidents, so I am hoping the trend continues with President-elect Trump," he said.