Australia will likely need to pour tens of millions of dollars into its campaign for a seat at the world's top security body.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has used his first speech at the United Nations to kick off a push to join the UN Security Council from 2029.

A bid will not come cheap, Australian National University international law professor Donald Rothwell warns.

"It will cost a lot of money," he told AAP.

The security council is made up of five permanent members and ten rotating spots. France, China, Russia, the US and the UK are always on the committee and have the power to veto any resolution.

If Australia were to join the council, it would be for a two-year term representing the "Eastern Europe and other countries" bloc that includes Canada and New Zealand.

The three W

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