He's the first detainee at the U.S. Guantanamo Bay prison camp to be charged under new rules for special military trials.

Hicks was captured in Afghanistan and has been held at Guantanamo Bay, on Cuba, for more than five years without trial.

Ongoing delays in bringing him before a court have led to growing calls in Australia for his release.

After the charges of supporting terrorism were announced, Australian Prime Minister John Howard said he was "very pleased" the process had been accelerated.