Defence conducted a review of the security implications of the port's 99-year leasing arrangement with Chinese company, Landbridge.

Deputy secretary of strategy and policy, Peter Tesch, told Senate estimates that review has now been handed to government.

"We are now working with other agencies about facilitating consideration by government of that information," he said on Wednesday.

The defence department also undertook a review of a Chinese company acquiring 50 per cent of shares in the Port of Newcastle back in March 2018 and found no concerns with the transaction.

Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells said the assessment raised real concerns in light of the current situation with China.

Mr Tesch said he understood the defence department had not been consulted since the original Newcastle port assessment was conducted more than three-and-a-half years ago.

Australian Associated Press