The permits have been awarded as follows: in the Carnarvon Basin to Octanex NL and Strata Resources NL; in the Browse Basin to Rawson Resources NL, Eagle Bay Resources NL, Icon Energy and Rough Range Oil; in the Bonaparte Basin to National Oil & Gas, Australian Natural Gas and Nations Natural Gas.

"An active exploration industry is critical to Australia avoiding a reliance on fuel imports in the future. Many of our vast offshore sedimentary basins are under-explored but this should not be confused with being un-prospective," said Mr Macfarlane.

"While recent figures for mineral exploration are encouraging we are now actively investigating what issues are holding back further investment in both mineral and petroleum exploration through a number of different avenues.

"There's an industry Action Agenda and a Standing Committee inquiry into changes needed to promote further investment."

While Australia is still ranked as one of the top five locations for petroleum exploration, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, expenditure on petroleum exploration in Australia declined by 11% in this year's June quarter,. Mr Macfarlane said the six permits will generate exploration expenditure of around $100 million.