Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has announced an initial $5 million aid package to cyclone-ravaged Vanuatu, after the monster category-five storm killed at least eight people, with fears the death toll may rise into the dozens.

Cyclone Pam left a trail of devastation across the Pacific island nation on Saturday, with 250 km/h winds levelling entire villages in the capital, Port Vila. Details of the damage to many of the 65 inhabited islands remain sketchy.

Addressing the media on Sunday, Ms Bishop said the "life saving" aid package would be delivered through non-government agencies and was in response to a request for assistance from the Vanuatu Government.

Ms Bishop said there were no reports of Australian casualties among the dead, but added that the Australian Government was yet to confirm the death toll.

The foreign minister confirmed that more than 1,100 Australians are registered in Vanuatu, but said the government believed the number to be a conservative estimate and was attempting to update the figure.

"[W]e will continue to contact hotels, accommodation throughout Vanuatu to see if there are any Australians who we have not yet made contact with," Ms Bishop said.

The aid package comprises government-supported disaster relief efforts, which would be delivered via aid agencies working in the region, Ms Bishop said. "This package will include $5 million that will be provided to Australian NGOs, particularly the Red Cross and to other United Nations partners."

"We will also be deploying humanitarian suppliers to provide support for up to 5,000 people in the form of water, sanitation and shelter," she said.

In addition, a team of medical experts and urban search and rescue personnel from Australia would be deployed to Vanuatu, as well as consular officials and humanitarian and disaster relief experts.

Ms Bishop also confirmed that the government was delivering aid in the form basic supplies, water, sanitation, tents, blankets and food to the nearby island nation of Tuvalu, which has declared a state of emergency.

Defence Minister Kevin Andrews said in a statement that two RAAF C-17 transport planes has been despatched from Amberley base in Queensland to deliver emergency aid including hygiene kits, blankets, sleeping mats, shelter kits, insect nets, water storage buckets and water purification tablets.

A C-130 Hercules has been sent from Richmond base in NSW to transport Defence emergency evaluation personnel and Department of Foreign Affairs officials to determine the kind of aid most needed.

Mr Andrews said a RAAF P-3 Orion reconnaissance plane was over the Solomon Islands taking reconnaissance photos to assess any damage to its eastern provinces. Another P-3 Orion will depart Australia today was to depart to conduct similar reconnaissance over Vanuatu.

Mr Andrews said he was assured that Defence could step up its help is needed as the situation in Vanuatu becomes clearer.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has changed its travel advice, urging Australians to reconsider travel to the region.