There are signs of a thaw over relations with Fiji.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has met his Australian and Fijian counterparts in Canberra to open lines of communication.

Relations are icy after a round of diplomatic expulsions and action against Fiji last year, including its suspension from the Commonwealth.

Australia waived travel bans on members of the Fijian military regime to enable the country's minister to travel to Canberra.

Mr McCully is in Australia for regular six-monthly formal trans-Tasman discussions. Australia's Stephen Smith says the meeting with Fiji is significant in that dialogue is re-starting and progress will have been made if an agreement is reached for future talks.