A Perth man living in North Korea as a university student has reportedly been arrested, with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirming that it is providing consular support to his family.

29-year-old Alek Sigley is studying a master's degree in Korean literature at Kim Il Sung University in Pyongyang, and operates a tour company that organises trips for foreign students.  

"The situation is that Alek has not been in digital contact with friends and family since Tuesday morning Australian time, which is unusual for him," said Lesley Parker, the spokesperson for the Sigley famiy.  "Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is therefore seeking to confirm his whereabouts and welfare."

Finance minister Mathias Cormann said the Australian embassy in South Korea was working with an intermediary country to get in touch with Pyongyang.

"There is obviously some complications in providing consular assistance into North Korea. We work through the Swedish Government in North Korea and all of these steps are underway," Cormann said.  "There is not really much more that we can say at this stage, other than that we are undertaking all of the necessary steps to provide the appropriate support."

Cormann did not know if Prime Minister Scott Morrison would raise the issue during his meeting with Donald Trump before the G20 summit in Osaka, because of Trump's friendly relationship with North KOrean leader Kim Jong-un.