Australia has suspended military co-operation with Myanmar and redirected aid to non-government organisations in response to escalating violence following last month's military coup.
Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne is continuing to call for the release of Australian academic Sean Turnell, who has been detained in Yangon for more than 30 days.
The government has raised grave concerns about the deadly protests that have occurred since the military seized power from democratically elected Aung San Suu Kyi on 1 February.
"We condemn the use of lethal force or violence against civilians exercising their universal rights, including the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly," Senator Payne said in a statement on Sunday.
"We continue to strongly urge the Myanmar security forces to exercise restraint and refrain from violence against civilians."
Professor Turnell was an economics adviser to overthrown leader Ms Suu Kyi.
Senator Payne says the government has only been able to contact him twice.
"We do regard that as very limited consular support and we do seek more," she told ABC radio on Monday.
Senator Payne said Australia had spoken to other countries, particularly regional neighbours such as Japan and India, about their own policies towards Myanmar.
Sean Turnell is an economic advisor to Aung San Suu Kyi. Source: Facebook
Australia is suspending its defence co-operation program with Myanmar's military, which only helped with non-combat areas such as English language training.
"Australia's development program is also being redirected to the immediate humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable and poor including the Rohingyas and other ethnic minorities," Senator Payne said.
The United Nations says security forces have killed more than 50 people to stamp out daily demonstrations and strikes in the Southeast Asian nation since the military overthrew and detained Ms Suu Kyi.
Well over 1700 people have been detained under the military junta.
Amnesty International Australia has welcomed the federal government's decision but is calling for more targeted sanctions against senior officials.
Security forces have killed more than 50 people to stamp out daily demonstrations and strikes in Myanmar. Source: AAP
"The Myanmar military has a well-documented history of violence and grave human rights violations," director Sam Klintworth said.
"Without justice and accountability, Myanmar's emboldened military will continue to trample human rights across the country."
