The federal government has welcomed reports China will step up fish farm inspections after some trading partners blocked its seafood exports over contamination fears.
The government also indicated it would consider toughening Australia's import requirements.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last month began stopping all Chinese farm-raised eel, catfish, basa, shrimp and dace at its border, over concerns about high levels of antibiotics in the seafood.
It had identified widespread contamination of Chinese seafood with drugs including malachite green, nitrofurans and fluoroquinolone.
Malachite green is a cancer-causing chemical used by fish farmers to kill parasites, while nitrofurans is an antibiotic also linked to cancer.
Australia tests for malachite green in imported fish and for nitrofurans in prawns, but does not routinely test for fluoroquinolone contamination.
Microbiologists are concerned human bacteria will develop resistance to fluoroquinolone if it enters the food chain.
China, the world's largest producer of farmed fish, on Thursday said it was focusing on curbing antibiotic use.
China's state council passed draft rules on Wednesday to give local councils greater power to monitor firms and punish those found breaking the law.
It also promised greater international cooperation, better safety checks and greater openness with quality problems.
"Product quality and food safety have a bearing on people's health and their vital interests, trust in companies and (our) international reputation, and it must be paid the utmost attention," it added.
Fisheries Minister Eric Abetz's office said the minister was consulting with Australia's food regulatory body, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), about seafood imports.
"It is pleasing to see that Chinese authorities are stepping up their own regulatory regime and testing on this matter," a spokesman for Senator Abetz said.
"While Australia has a strong testing regime in place, we can understand the concern about this issue, and the minister is seeking advice from FSANZ."
The government this week announced it would strengthen quarantine measures for imported raw prawns to protect the local industry and marine environment, but the changes do not apply to other types of seafood.
From September, prawn imports will need to come from sources that Australia recognises as being disease and contamination-free, or else be subjected to tougher testing.
Mr Abetz's office said the changes applied to all importers, not just China, and there were no plans to reverse the decision.
Labor has attacked the government for failing to act on the US warnings, and called for increased testing of all potentially harmful contaminants.
The government also indicated it would consider toughening Australia's import requirements.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last month began stopping all Chinese farm-raised eel, catfish, basa, shrimp and dace at its border, over concerns about high levels of antibiotics in the seafood.
It had identified widespread contamination of Chinese seafood with drugs including malachite green, nitrofurans and fluoroquinolone.
Malachite green is a cancer-causing chemical used by fish farmers to kill parasites, while nitrofurans is an antibiotic also linked to cancer.
Australia tests for malachite green in imported fish and for nitrofurans in prawns, but does not routinely test for fluoroquinolone contamination.
Microbiologists are concerned human bacteria will develop resistance to fluoroquinolone if it enters the food chain.
China, the world's largest producer of farmed fish, on Thursday said it was focusing on curbing antibiotic use.
China's state council passed draft rules on Wednesday to give local councils greater power to monitor firms and punish those found breaking the law.
It also promised greater international cooperation, better safety checks and greater openness with quality problems.
"Product quality and food safety have a bearing on people's health and their vital interests, trust in companies and (our) international reputation, and it must be paid the utmost attention," it added.
Fisheries Minister Eric Abetz's office said the minister was consulting with Australia's food regulatory body, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), about seafood imports.
"It is pleasing to see that Chinese authorities are stepping up their own regulatory regime and testing on this matter," a spokesman for Senator Abetz said.
"While Australia has a strong testing regime in place, we can understand the concern about this issue, and the minister is seeking advice from FSANZ."
The government this week announced it would strengthen quarantine measures for imported raw prawns to protect the local industry and marine environment, but the changes do not apply to other types of seafood.
From September, prawn imports will need to come from sources that Australia recognises as being disease and contamination-free, or else be subjected to tougher testing.
Mr Abetz's office said the changes applied to all importers, not just China, and there were no plans to reverse the decision.
Labor has attacked the government for failing to act on the US warnings, and called for increased testing of all potentially harmful contaminants.
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