It comes amid concerns about a proposed Sino-Solomons security pact that involves police, security forces and training.
Chief of Joint Operations Lieutenant General Greg Bilton says it would be an unusual circumstance to be co-operating with the Chinese in the Solomon Islands, with Canberra and Beijing both providing training to the same organisation.
"It does change the calculus if Chinese navy vessels are operating from the Solomon Islands," he told reporters on Thursday.
"They are in much closer proximity to the Australian mainland and that would change the way we would undertake day-to-day operations, particularly in the air and at sea."
Lt Gen Bilton said such a presence would result in changed patrolling patterns and maritime awareness activities.
AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said he was aware there was going to be some form of training proposal from China but he had not personally seen the proposed memorandum of understanding for a security pact.
But Mr Kershaw said Australia wanted to remain the partner of choice for the Solomon Islands police.
"We've been there a long time ... (and) it is a little bit personal. We did lose an officer of ours," he told Senate estimate hearings.
"So we're not about to let other countries come in and try and change that whole framework. It works.
"Community crime has dropped there, the police force are more professional than ever before and we want to maintain that position of being the partner of choice in the region."
Finance Minister Simon Birmingham denied Australia had failed in its Pacific foreign policy despite a senior official at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet revealing he was unaware of any phone conversations between Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his Solomons counterpart.
"The government is very conscious of ensuring that we respect the sovereignty of every Pacific island nation," Senator Birmingham said.
Mr Morrison has said the Solomon Islands government has not raised any issues about the support provided by Australia.
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