Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday said his centre-left government would consider tougher gun laws after a mass shooting in Sydney's Bondi beach killed 15 people, the country's worst act of gun violence in almost three decades.

He said the tougher laws being considered would include limits on the number of guns used or licensed by individuals and a periodical review of gun licences.

“The government is prepared to take whatever action is necessary. Included in that is the need for tougher gun laws,” Albanese said.

“People’s circumstances can change. People can be radicalised over a period of time. Licences should not be in perpetuity,” he added.

Albanese was speaking after the two shooters who carried out the attack were identified by state broadcaster ABC and other local media outlets as Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram.

The father was killed at the scene, taking the number of dead to 16, while the son was in a critical condition in hospital

Police did not, however, release their names but said the father had held a firearms licence since 2015 and had six licensed weapons.

Home Minister Tony Burke said the father arrived in Australia in 1998 on a student visa while his son is an Australian-born citizen.

Police did not provide details about the firearms, but videos from the scene showed the men firing what appeared to be a bolt-action rifle and a shotgun.

"We are very much working through the background of both persons. At this stage, we know very little about them," New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said. (Agencies)