Tuesday 5 July 2022 01:09 AM 'Airbus Albo' to arrive in Canberra on Tuesday after flying from war-torn ... trends now

Anthony Albanese is due to fly back into Australia late on Tuesday after his trip around Europe and head to flood-affected communities. 

The prime minister was briefed by phone soon after clearing war-torn Ukraine on Monday AEST on the situation in NSW, where tens of thousands have been evacuated and thousands of homes deluged. 

The federal government is considering more requests from NSW to support flood-affected communities ahead of a visit later this week by the prime minister.

Mr Albanese also spoke to NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, who has declared a natural disaster triggering the release of a range of payments and loans for individuals and businesses.

'He will be on the ground here later in the week,' Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles, who was speaking from flood-affected Richmond in northwest Sydney, told Nine Network on Tuesday.

Mr Albanese could tour the region with Mr Perrottet as soon as Thursday.

Opposition frontbencher and Nationals leader David Littleproud told Nine that NSW must be given all the resources it needs to help people.

Asked about the 'optics' of Mr Albanese being overseas when the crisis began on Sunday, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said he had been working with the NSW government.

He said the overseas trips were essential. 

'But... there's been a lot of work that's been necessary amongst our international partners because a lot of those relationships were run down,' Mr Chalmers told Nine.

'This important work on the international stage hasn't prevented us from advancing our agenda here at home.'

The federal government has so far committed 200 defence personnel to help with the emergency, along with two helicopters, after a request by the NSW government.