Perth man Nick Norris and some of his grandchildren are among the 298 people who died when Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine overnight.
While authorities are yet to confirm names of those on board, Fairfax Media understands his family - including his wife in Perth - have been informed of his death.
The Boeing 777 en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down in separatist-controlled eastern Ukraine, claiming the lives of 298 passengers and crew.
It is understood Mr Norris, a managing director of a Perth-based change management consultancy company, was in Europe on holiday. It is believed he often travelled to the United Kingdom for work.
A colleague of Mr Norris told Fairfax Media that while he was aware of the news, he was still waiting for confirmation.
Deputy Prime Minister Julie Bishop said MH17 was believed to be connecting to Perth, although Perth Airport is yet to confirm this.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade described the loss of MH17 as a tragedy.
"Malaysia Airlines advised that there were 298 people on board and there are no survivors of the crash," she said.
"They further confirmed there were 27 Australians on board MH17. The nationalities of all of those on board are not yet known so the final number may be higher.
The department is contacting the families of the Australians involved and offering counselling and consular assistance."
She confirmed Australian officials, including a consular crisis specialist, were preparing to travel to Kiev to assist local officials with the recovery of Australians involved.
If you have any concerns for the welfare of Australian family or friends, you should attempt to directly contact them.
If you are unable to contact them and still hold concerns for their welfare, you should call DFAT’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on + 61 2 6261 3305 from overseas, or within Australia on 1300 555 135 (local call cost).
Malaysia Airlines has also established a call centre in Malaysia (+603 7884 1234) and The Netherlands (+317 0348 7770).
The nationalities of all of those on board are not yet known so the final number may be higher. The Department is contacting the families of the Australians involved and offering counselling and consular assistance.
The news of Perth victims comes as Perth widow Danica Weeks spoke on 6PR expressing her sympathy for families that may be affected by the tragedy, which has claimed the lives of 298 people, including 27 Australians
