Four Australian women and nine children with links to Islamic State have booked flights from Damascus to Australia, according to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke.

Burke announced Wednesday that the Australian government had been alerted to the travel plans. The group has spent years in a Syrian camp following the collapse of IS territorial control.

The women are expected to face charges upon their return to Australia, according to police statements. Australian authorities have been monitoring the situation of citizens with IS connections who remained in Syria after the militant group's defeat.

The case represents one of the larger repatriation efforts involving Australian families from Syrian detention facilities. Many countries have grappled with decisions about whether to repatriate citizens who traveled to join IS, particularly when children are involved.

Details about the specific charges the women may face or the timeline for their arrival in Australia were not immediately provided by officials.