The reported death of an Australian man killed fighting with Islamic state in Syria has shocked Somali community leaders in Melbourne who say he was a role model for young people and had "so much potential".

Sharky Jama, a former male model, was shot dead in fighting after joining IS militants in the war-torn country, his father Dada Jama has told SBS.

The broadcaster says the dead man's father received a phone call on Monday informing him of the news.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says it can't confirm Jama's death due to the security situation in the conflict-ridden nation, but Jama's friends have been mourning his death on Facebook.

Somali Community leader Dr Hussein Haraco, who has known the Jama family for 10 years, says they're in shock that he has died in Syria.