Canberra, April 30 (IANS): Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) planes are ready to rescue Australians stranded in the earthquake-hit Nepal, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said on Thursday.

Bishop said more than 1,400 Australians have so far been found, although some were yet to be located, Xinhua news agency reported.

About 80 Australians have sought refuge in the Australian embassy in Kathmandu since the earthquake hit Nepal.

Bishop said the federal government decided to airlift Australians out of Kathmandu because of deteriorating health and safety conditions and the limited availability of commercial flights.

Two RAAF C-17 Globemaster aircraft, currently packed with 15 tonnes of aid, are expected to land in Kathmandu later in the day.

"Our crisis response team has been able to locate and account for virtually all the Australians," Bishop said.

"There may well be some who are still there."

After off-loading the shelter kits and health supplies for survivors of the Nepal earthquake, the aircraft will take Australians to Bangkok, the minister added.