The Rudd government says it's confident uranium sent to Russia won't be used for weapons.

But it will still complete a more detailed analysis before it begins exporting the resource.

Australia, which has the world's largest uranium reserves, has paved the way for sales to Russia, despite concerns about military armament and nuclear spills.

Russia was a member of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and will sign a separate agreement acknowledging uranium can only be used for peaceful purposes, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said.

"So we've come to the conclusion that we can safely export uranium to Russia and it won't be diverted for military purposes," he told ABC Radio.

Russia was in fact reducing its nuclear stockpile, so "there's no need for Russia to convert anyone's uranium or divert it for nuclear weapons purposes".

The government will go through a formal ramification process before it sends its first shipment, Mr Smith added.

Trade Minister Simon Crean said there was a lesson for India to learn in the latest developments.

It wants Australia's uranium, but is not a signatory to the non-proliferation treaty.

"This signals to India that this is the way in which they can be recipients of our supply and it's for India to respond to," he told ABC Television.

"Our position is clear and consistent."