Australia has not been asked by the United States to send a war ship to help reopen one of the world's most crucial oil corridors, closed by Iran in response to the US-led war.
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President Donald Trump has requested a naval coalition made up from different countries to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has shut to give itself leverage in the conflict.
Shipping has been extensively disrupted, sending global oil prices skyrocketing.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said the government would consider any request to participate in the conflict through the lens of the national interest, but Australia had not been directly asked.
"We've not received a request from the United States in respect of the Straits of Hormuz," he told Nine's Today on Tuesday.
"We're not contemplating sending a ship, but we we've not received a request."
It comes as Australia's leading aid agencies launched a public appeal to raise urgent funds to support relief efforts in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza and the West Bank.
"Thousands of people who've been killed or injured, millions of people have been displaced from their homes, and tens of millions are living in fear," Mat Tinkler, chief executive of Save the Children Australia, told AAP.
"We're asking for the Australian public to show their generosity and goodwill to help people in this terrible situation overseas."
According to the International Organisation for Migration, almost one million people have been forced to flee their homes in Lebanon as a result of the war.
In Iran, more than 3.2 million people have been displaced, with reports of about 1300 killed and more than 9000 injured since the conflict began in late February.
People in war-torn Gaza and Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and the West Bank are also being impacted as aid lines are cut, severing access to food, clean water, fuel and medical supplies, and refugees cross borders.
Australian donations to the appeal will help the charities provide food, shelter, water, sanitation, medical and school, as well as support families "who are living with basically nothing right now".
The charities are hoping to raise millions of dollars and say the funds will have an immediate impact.
"All of our agencies are already active in this crisis in the Middle East, so this will give us the confidence to provide supplies ... and surge in more relief," Mr Tinkler said.
The 15 charities behind the joint Middle East Appeal are: Save the Children Australia, Plan International Australia, Oxfam Australia, Australia for UNHCR, ActionAid, CARE Australia, Caritas Australia, ADRA, Act for Peace, Anglican Overseas Aid, Australian Lutheran World Service, Baptist World Aid, CBM, ChildFund Australia and Tearfund.
Australians wishing to donate to the Middle East Appeal are being asked to go to emergencyaction.org.au/middle-east-appeal/ or call 1300 939 000.
Australian Associated Press
