By Andrew Brown

A second group of women and children linked to Islamic State are expected to face charges when they arrive back in Australia.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed seven women and 12 children have made plans to travel from Syria to Australia, after spending years in a Syrian refugee camp.

The so-called “ISIS brides”, who are due to arrive in Australia on Tuesday evening, are expected to face charges upon their return.

“The government has not and will not provide any assistance to this group,” Mr Burke said in a statement.

“These are people who have made the horrific choice to join a dangerous terrorist organisation and to place their children in an unspeakable situation.

“Any members of this cohort who have committed crimes can expect to face the full force of the law.”

Mr Burke said intelligence agencies had been preparing since 2014 for a return home of people linked to the terrorist group Islamic State.

The group originally travelled to the Middle East with men who sought to fight for Islamic State before the caliphate was toppled in 2019.

“The priority of the government, as always, is the safety of the Australian community,” Mr Burke said.

Their impending arrival follows an earlier group of four women and nine children who returned to Australia at the beginning of May.

Three of the women in that group were arrested upon arrival and remain in custody.

Two are facing charges relating to slavery, and the other was charged with joining a terrorist organisation and travelling to a declared conflict zone.