There are concerns the highly anticipated report could be heavily redacted when it is finally published.

There are also fears the soldiers involved could be denied procedural fairness.

The inspector-general of the Australian Defence Force has conducted an inquiry into alleged war crimes by special forces troops between 2005 and 2016.

"These reports are troubling and the claims are exactly why this process was set up," Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.

"This is a very serious inquiry, it's done by people who are highly skilled in handling what are very sensitive matters.

"I have no doubt they are very aware of the careful way they need to conduct this inquiry."

Attorney-General Christian Porter says NSW Justice Paul Brereton, who is leading the inquiry, will release the report when he sees fit.

"Justice Brereton determines when and how because this is an absolutely arm's length investigation from executive government," Mr Porter told reporters.

"But I think you can expect to see a very, very detailed and substantive report."

Australian Associated Press