Mr Tehan's comments come after the Taliban took control of the presidential palace in Kabul last Sunday, almost 20 years after being ousted by a US-led military coalition.

Last week the federal government announced that an initial 3000 humanitarian places would be allocated to Afghan nationals within Australia's overall annual humanitarian program of 13,750.

"The 3000 intake represents a floor, not a ceiling, and we fully expect this to increase this year," Mr Tehan said. "As the PM said, we don't rule out an increase to the 13,750 cap if required. This comes on top of the 8500 Afghans Australia has already successfully resettled since 2013."

Canada has agreed to take 20,000 Afghan refugees and in the UK 5000 Afghans will be resettled in the first year of its resettlement scheme with up to 20,000 in the long term.

But Rural Australians for Refugees Warrnambool spokeswoman Katherine Stewart said the 3000 intake should be additional to the current humanitarian program. "There are so many people seeking asylum around the world, there are millions in refugee camps," she said.

"To take 3000 places away from those people to give to these people because they're more desperate at the moment, that doesn't sound generous and compassionate to me." She said the government should be commended for trying to get people out. "But I dont think saying we'll bump a few people in Africa or somewhere for people in Afghanistan, I don't think that qualifies as generous to me," she said.

Ms Stewart called on the government to release Afghan people locked up in Australian detention centres and to grant those in the community on temporary protection visas.

St Joseph's Church parish priest Father John Fitzgerald said now was not the time to "turn our backs" on those in desperate need. "I would say open our hearts and open our nation as generously as we can," he said. "We are very fortunate and the best way to give thanks is to share what we have."

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