A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said they sincerely appreciate President Ghani's concern for Mr Weeks and Mr King, and hope the Taliban immediately releases the hostages.

"The Australian Government has never stopped pressing for their release, but we will not give a running commentary on the current process," they said.

"The Afghan Government is leading the discussions with the Taliban for Mr Weeks' and Mr King's release as part of its broader peace negotiations."

Wednesday at 11am

University officials are urging the immediate and safe return of a Wagga man, Timothy Weeks, and his colleague who were abducted by the Taliban in 2016.

The message from the American University of Afghanistan follows reports of a prisoner exchange between governments that would see the 49-year-old former Ashmont man freed.

In 2017, Islamic fundamentalists uploaded a 13-minute video of the teacher breaking down in tears, pleading for the Australian and United States governments to arrange a prisoner exchange to prevent his execution.

In a statement, the American University of Afghanistan said it is encouraged to hear reports of the possible release of their two colleagues, Kevin King and Timothy Weeks.

"While AUAF is not part of these discussions, we continue to urge the immediate and safe return of our faculty members who have been held in captivity, away from their friends and families, for more than three years," it read.

The Afghanistan government announced on Tuesday evening that it would release two senior Taliban commanders and a leader of the Haqqani militant group in exchange for Mr Weeks and American colleague Kevin King, who were kidnapped in 2016.

According to Arabic TV network Al Jazeera, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani did not specify when or where Mr Weeks and Mr King would be freed during a televised speech on the prisoner swap.

Mr Ghani noted in his speech that "their health has been deteriorating while in the custody of the terrorists".

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