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Tongan officials have warned the death toll from the volcanic eruption and tsunami in the Pacific nation is only set to grow, as damage assessment begins.

As Australia prepares to send more aid to Tonga, authorities have confirmed the first casualty from the natural disaster, British charity worker Angela Glover.

The deputy head of mission at Tonga's high commission in Australia, Curtis Tu'ihalangingie, said it would still be weeks before communication was fully restored in the country.

"Communication is on locally, so people can call one another in Tonga, but can't all internationally, we still have limited access to Tonga," he told ABC Radio on Tuesday.

"We still don't have a direct communication with our government."

All Australians have been accounted for in Tonga following the disaster.

There are normally about 300 Australians living in Tonga, but the number is estimated to be less due to COVID-19.

Mr Tu'ihalangingie said there was still uncertainty about the level of damage to Tonga, but basic supplies were needed.

"At this point (Tonga needs) water and also masks," he said.

"The county was covered with volcanic ash and this is very alarming and dangerous, not only for young children but for everyone."

Australia sent a P-8 plane to survey the damage on Monday, with further support on the way.

Pacific Minister Zed Seselja said critical supplies such as food, water as well as communications and clean-up equipment will be sent over on a C-130 plane once the airport in Tonga is able to reopen.

"There is still a significant amount of ash at the airport. It was hoped the airport might open today, but that's more likely now to be tomorrow," Senator Seselja told the Nine Network.

"We've offered $1 million in assistance at the moment, we're looking to hear back from the Tongan government in some more specific detail."

Initial data from Monday's surveillance flight has come through, with on-ground efforts also being carried out by Tongan authorities.

Further supplies will be deployed to Tonga on HMAS Adelaide as early as Wednesday.

A major underwater telecommunications cable was damaged in the tsunami, and is expected to take at least two weeks to repair.

Senator Seselja said work was under way to get communication access to the Pacific nation.

"We're working with Telstra to try and make sure we can get temporary equipment, so some better on-the-ground equipment can exist."

With Tonga enforcing a strict border measure to help keep coronavirus cases out of the country, there are fears international aid efforts could lead to Tonga losing its COVID-free status.

"As much as we are going to send assistance, we will still need to follow the COVID-19 protocols to keep the people in the population safe, rather than us setting a system and there's a tsunami of COVID hitting Tonga, Mr Tu'ihalangingie said.

"We hope to maintain that and we're very appreciative of the understanding of the Australian government and partners."

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Novak Djokovic has kept a low profile as he returned to the place where he will always be welcome following his deportation from Australia.

A small but noisy band of supporters were at Belgrade airport to greet the world No.1 on Monday lunchtime.

However, they saw little of the 34-year-old as the Serbian hero was whisked through passport control and customs, then driven by his brother Djordje to his apartment in Belgrade.

The official Tanjug news agency reported that Djokovic's mother, Dijana, said her son will remain in Belgrade in the coming days and won't make statements for the media.

"God bless you Novak," read one of the banners held by fans at Nikola Tesla Airport who chanted "You are our champion!" and, using the diminutive of his name, "We love you, Nole!"

"Novak, welcome home, you know that we all support you here," said Snezana Jankovic, a Belgrade resident. "They can take away your visa, but they cannot take away your Serbian pride."

"I think he entered history as a hero, as a man and as a fighter against this evil which is called corona-circus," added Marko Strugalovic, 60, at Belgrade airport.

Earlier Djokovic had worn a mask and accepted selfies with fans as he arrived in Dubai en route from Melbourne, changing planes for the six-hour flight to Belgrade.

Djokovic had tested positive for COVID-19 in Belgrade on December 16 but attended an interview with L'Equipe newspaper on the 18th, which he later described this "an error" of judgement.

Asked if Djokovic would face any penalties for flouting his isolation while being infected when he returns to Serbia, Serbian officials said he would not because the country is not in a state of emergency.

However, his unvaccinated status could cause further problems in his pursuit of a record-breaking 21st major after the French sports ministry stated a new law barring unvaccinated people from sports venues, restaurants and other public places will apply to sportsmen too.

That would prevent Djokovic playing at the French Open in May though a spokesperson noted the pandemic situation "could change by then."

In the meantime Djokovic, who said he would take some time "to rest and to recuperate" is unlikely to play the big ATP tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami in March because of the United States' tight restrictions.

His participation in the Monaco Open in April, the first event of Europe's clay-court swing, would also be in danger since the tournament actually takes place in France. The Monte Carlo Country Club is 150m outside the Principality in the French commune of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.

More long-term Djokovic is in principle now barred from entry to Australia for three years having had his visa revoked.

However, Prime Minister Scott Morrison hinted there may be a way to let him in next year.

"There is the opportunity for (a person) to return in the right circumstances, and that will be considered at the time," he told 2GB radio.

Back in Melbourne the Australian Open began without its defending champion.

Rafael Nadal, the only player left in the draw to have previously won the men's singles title, said, "I wish him all the best. I think the situation has been a mess.

"If the best players are on court and playing it is best for the sport. On a personal level I would like to see him playing here, if it is fair or not is another discussion."

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The search for missing nine-year-old Charlise Mutten in rugged bushland in the NSW Blue Mountains has entered its fifth day.

Charlise was reported missing on Friday morning, with her parents telling police they last saw her on Thursday at a property at Mount Wilson, 20km north of Katoomba.

More than 100 police and emergency personnel - including dog units, homicide detectives, rescue choppers and the SES - are scouring terrain RFS volunteers described as "extremely rugged with very thick bush in parts" for the schoolgirl.

A stretch of the Hawkesbury River was also searched, after police on Saturday seized a white boat from the property she disappeared from.

Police have grave concerns for her safety, Chief Inspector Garry Sims said on Sunday, but believe Charlise could survive this time in the bush.

"There's water in the bush so we are hopeful Charlise will be able to sustain herself until we find her," he said.

Charlise is Caucasian, between 130cm and 140cm tall, and thin. She has brown hair and brown eyes.

It is believed she was wearing a pink top with a round neck collar, a black knee-length skirt and pink Nike thongs.

© AAP 2022