Justice Minister Shane Rattenbury said the nation's corrections ministers had called for such a ban in July although the restriction had been considered for some time.

The demand comes despite Mr Rattenbury describing the threat of drones as "low" and there being no recorded use of drones being used to deliver contraband in NSW.

"While technology and sophistication around [drones] will continue to increase in accessibility to the public, the current assessed threat from aircraft over correctional facilities is low," he said.

A Corrective Services NSW spokesman said a no-fly zone was needed to prevent any attempt to smuggle contraband into jails in the future.

"There have been no reported incidents of drones being used to introduce contraband in to Goulburn Correctional Centre or any other centre in NSW," he said.

In 2014, a drone was intercepted by Victoria Police after trying to deliver a package of drugs into a prison west of Melbourne.

The number of inmates testing positive to methamphetamines increased dramatically last year as ACT authorities struggle to limit the supply of drugs to an overcrowded jail.

More than 40 prisoners were caught using methamphetamine or amphetamine inside the Alexander Maconochie Centre in 2014-15.

The results are an increase on the previous two years with only 27 inmates testing positive to the drugs during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 financial years combined.

Almost all of those who tested positive last financial year – 38 – used the drugs as their primary or secondary substance with another four using them as their fourth or fifth.

Mr Rattenbury said the increase reflected the growing presence of the drugs in the Canberra community. A range of measures were being taken to restrict access to drugs.

"In recent weeks, I introduced legislation which aims to strengthen ACT Corrective Services response to the use of illicit substances by detainees," he said.

"The misuse of drugs in prison can have a number of adverse effects on the prison system and these new provisions will ensure ACT Corrective Services has the ability to respond to the health and safety needs of detainees as well as maintain good order at correctional facilities."

The legislation allows authorities to identify prisoners who test positive to random drug tests. They will then face discipline or referral to treatment programs.

Mr Rattenbury said any decision on a drone ban would be made by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the operations of the nearby Snowy Hydro Rescue Helicopter and emergency services would need to be considered.

"Any risk to public safety as a result of restricted fly zones over the ACT correctional facilities would be unacceptable," he said.