Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said the eight suicide bombings on April 21, 2019, have been declared by the federal government as a 'terrorist act" for the purpose of the Australian Victim of Terrorism Overseas Payment scheme.

"The AVTOP scheme ensures Australian victims of terrorist events overseas, such as the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka, have access to financial support," Mr Dutton said in a statement on Sunday.

"The declaration of these attacks means that Australian residents who were harmed, or lost a close family member, as a result of the attacks may seek a one-off payment of up to $75,000 in financial assistance."

The Sri Lankan bombings targeted churches and hotels, killing over 253 people and injuring more than 485.

"We condemn those responsible for the horrific terrorist attacks on innocents and have extended our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those killed and injured, and to the government and people of Sri Lanka," Mr Dutton said.

The government has also declared a previous terrorist attack, which took place in Hyderabad, India, on 25 August 2007, for the purposes of the scheme.

Two almost simultaneous bombings occurred at a restaurant and an amusement park in Hyderabad, killing 42 people and injuring over 50.

The declaration of these attacks brings the total number of overseas terrorist acts declared by the Australian government for the purposes of the scheme to 42.

Australian Associated Press