Australian officials have also pressed China to provide more information relating to Mr Hu's detention, and to deal with the matter swiftly, Mr Smith says.

"Today, in Canberra, Chinese officials gave assurances that while Mr Hu remained in detention he would be well cared for and appropriately cared for and that we should be satisfied with his welfare and wellbeing," Mr Smith told ABC radio on Tuesday.

"So our priority now is to get that detailed information but also to urge China and the Chinese authorities to deal with this matter expeditiously."

It wasn't a case that the issue could be magically solved by one phone call, he said.

"This is a difficult and complex case, it requires constant attention."

Mr Hu was detained on July 5 and had to wait nearly a week before being allowed to see consular officials on Friday.

The Rio Tinto executive has been accused of spying and stealing state secrets.

However, Mr Smith said it was "quite clear" from official statements by spokespeople from the ministry of foreign affairs and state security bureau that Mr Hu's detention was related to the 2009 iron ore price negotiations which hadn't yet concluded.

"It's quite clear the focus here ...(is) on economic and commercial matters related to the iron ore industry and that's what we need to get more information on."

There are no guaranteed timetables about when the detention might move to a formal charge, and how long the trial process might take, he said.

"This is the nature of what we're dealing with."