Scott Morrison has all but confirmed Afghan interpreters who helped Australian troops will be evacuated and offered protection.
But the prime minister has been careful in commenting on how long the process would take, fearful it could put the interpreters at risk of persecution.
"We're working on that right now and I can't go into too much detail because I don't want to put anyone who is the subject of what we're doing there in any position of risk or danger," he told 6PR radio on Thursday.
Mr Morrison said he and the government were well versed on the protection visa process.
"This is a program we know well. We have done it before and we will work through this steadily. Our form and our record is being able to use our special humanitarian visa processes to do the right thing."
At least 300 interpreters are seeking protection in Australia as allied troops depart Afghanistan.
Mr Morrison acknowledged time was of the essence, with some of the interpreters placed on Taliban kill lists.
"We know what we need to do here and we're getting it done," he said.
The last Australian troops will depart Afghanistan by September, following America's decision to end the war before the 20-year anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.
A former major for the Australian Defence Force has told SBS News every effort must be made to help the Afghan interpreters who put their lives at risk to help Australian soldiers.
"To fail at this stage to evacuate them, or at least make the best possible effort that we can as a country - that will just be a catastrophic moral failure on our country's behalf," he told SBS News a fortnight ago.
Retired admiral Chris Barrie said a precedent was set following the Vietnam War, when military supporters brought refugees to Australia before the government officially endorsed the arrivals.
"We have a very serious obligation," he told ABC radio on Tuesday. "It would be unconscionable to leave these people to the mercy of the Taliban. We must do something to help them."
The United Kingdom and the United States have both agreed to fast-track the resettlement of thousands of Afghan interpreters and their families.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne has indicated the current process for assessing humanitarian visas for Afghan employees remains in place.
"We are keen to support all those who are eligible to come to Australia and that is an absolute priority," she told reporters.
