Canberra, May 27 (IANS): The family of an Australian Islamic State (IS) jihadi would face the full force of Australian law, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Wednesday.

According to sources, IS fighter Khaled Sharrouf's wife Tara Nettleton and their five children are seeking to return to Australia, ABC reported.

Amongst the children is Sharrouf's seven-year-old son, who was photographed last year holding a severed head.

"Criminals will face the full severity of Australian law and it is a very serious crime under the Australian law, for people to go abroad and fight or assist terrorist organisations," the prime minister said.

Abbott said even if a returning fighter has offered to help the authorities by warning others against going abroad, they should only be allowed to do so after they have been punished.

"The children of these criminals will be dealt the same way the children of criminals are normally dealt with," he added.