US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will come to Australia, possibly as early as April or May, after being forced to cancel her January visit to head emergency responses to the Haitian earthquake.
Several dates are now being considered to tie the trip in with AUSMIN defence talks, with the earliest being just a month after US President Barack Obama visits Australia in mid-March.
The Obama trip will be one of several US presidential trips to Australia being planned for his current term as leader, a diplomatic source said.
Whether Mr Obama makes it to Melbourne is yet to be confirmed, as details of his itinerary are being finalised.
It will depend on what leisure time the first family has left over after formalities in Canberra and their personal choice on what attractions - ranging from the Great Barrier Reef to the Opera House or an MCG footy match - to attend.