Amid concerns over mounting Australian casualties, Mr Rudd told Labor caucus that Australia's mission hinged on its training of the 4th Brigade of the Afghan National Army.

The Prime Minister's assurances came as Defence Minister John Faulkner indicated he was preparing to reveal a timetable for the completion of training.

''I ... intend to make some announcements soon about what the best professional assessments we have from the ADF [Australian Defence Force] and ISAF [International Security Assistance Force] about the timeframe involved in completing that training mission will be,'' Senator Faulkner told ABC Radio.

''We are certainly making progress in that regard and, as we achieve that, we obviously want to see, and will see, a conditions-based transition to Afghan National security forces so they can take responsibility for security and stability in their own country.''

Meanwhile, the Defence Department revealed yesterday that the three commandos killed in Monday's crash in which seven other Australians were injured were Privates Timothy Aplin, Benjamin Chuck and Scott Palmer - all members of the Sydney-based 2nd commando regiment.

Private Aplin, 38, joined the Army Reserve in 1992 and transferred to the Regular Army three years later.

He served in East Timor and the Middle East and reached the rank of sergeant, but accepted a reduction in rank to transfer to the elite commando regiment in 2009. He was on his second tour to Afghanistan where he was serving as a demolitions specialist.

Private Chuck, 27, was from Yungaburra in Far North Queensland. He leaves behind his parents, a brother and sister, and his partner. He joined the Regular Army in 2004 and was posted to the commando regiment. A patrol medic with a sniper team, he was on his third Afghanistan tour.

Private Palmer, 27, joined the Regular Army in 2001 and transferred to the commandos in 2006. He was also on his third tour to Afghanistan and had also seen operational service in East Timor and Iraq.