Sydney: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called Wednesday's US plea deal hearing for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange a "welcome development".

Assange (52) pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to obtain and disclose US national defence information at a court in the US Pacific territory of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The plea is a part of a deal that should allow Assange to return to his home country of Australia in just a couple of hours.

"This is a welcome development, but we recognise as well that these proceedings are sensitive and should be respected," Australia’s PM told reporters in Canberra.

"Given those proceedings that are happening literally in real time, it isn't appropriate to provide further commentary," Albanese added.

Australia had used "all appropriate channels" to support a "positive outcome" in the case, he said, noting that Australia's ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, was accompanying Assange.

"Regardless of your views about Mr Assange, his case has dragged on for too long. There is nothing to be gained from his continued incarceration and we want him brought home to Australia," the Australian leader said. AFP