Cabinet colleagues of Christian Porter and Linda Reynolds have rallied behind them as Scott Morrison puts the final touches to a reshuffle expected to be announced this weekend.
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The attorney-general and defence minister, who have been on leave, are both expected to be retained in cabinet but moved to other portfolios.
Mr Porter took mental health leave after revealing at a media conference he was the person accused in media reports of a historic rape in 1988, when he and the alleged victim were teenagers.
He strongly denies the claim and is taking defamation action in relation to media reporting of the allegations.
The prime minister has been taking advice on whether the defamation action presents perceived or actual conflicts of interest for Mr Porter as attorney-general.
There have also been calls for an independent inquiry into whether Mr Porter is a fit and proper person for the role.
Cabinet minister Simon Birmingham said he was sure the prime minister would look carefully at the solicitor-general's advice.
"And if he thinks there needs to be changes as a result of it, he'll make them," he said.
Senator Reynolds took leave in February to receive treatment for a pre-existing heart condition.
She has been under pressure over her handling of a rape allegation by her former staffer Brittany Higgins, exacerbated by her calling Ms Higgins a "lying cow" for which she apologised.
Ms Higgins' high-profile case has also triggered a national debate over the treatment of women and workplace behaviour in Parliament House.
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, who is likely to replace Senator Reynolds in the defence portfolio, denied Mr Morrison was afraid to sack her.
"I don't think the PM is afraid to sack anyone if they've done the wrong thing," Mr Dutton told the Nine Network.
He said Senator Reynolds had done an outstanding job in defence, and provided what she believed was enough support to Ms Higgins.
If appointed, Mr Dutton would be the sixth defence minister in eight years.
Cabinet colleague Dan Tehan said he looked forward to both of the ministers returning to work in coming weeks.
"They've done very good jobs in their cabinet roles."
Labor leader Anthony Albanese said there was little point to the reshuffle.
"Shuffling the deck will not change the bad hand that this government is dealing Australians," he said.
It is speculated Employment Minister Michaelia Cash will be the new attorney-general, with Mr Porter taking over her portfolio.
The University of London honours graduate and former Freehills solicitor would be only the second woman to hold the position.
Her elevation would also make history in that the nation's two most senior law positions - attorney-general and High Court chief justice - would be held by women.
Government Services Minister Stuart Robert is tipped to take on Mr Dutton's home affairs role.
Australian Associated Press
