Australia's transport minister said on Monday that an air service staff shortage that caused hundreds of delays at Sydney Airport on Friday and Saturday was "unacceptable."

More than 250 domestic and international flights departing from Sydney were delayed on Friday and Saturday due to departure spacing that was enacted in response to staff shortages at Airservices Australia, the government-owned entity that provides air traffic control services at major airports.

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Catherine King said in a statement that the issues had caused significant disruptions to passengers, staff and airlines.

"The delays and disruptions we have seen at Sydney Airport over the last three days have been unacceptable," she said.

King on Monday morning met with the chief executive officer of Airservices Australia and said the agency has committed to implementing improved rostering at Sydney from early September.

Following the delays on Friday and Saturday, a Jetstar Airways flight taxiing ahead of takeoff and a Qatar Airways plane being towed were involved in a near-collision at Sydney Airport on Sunday morning.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported on Monday that an air traffic control ground worker and tug operator have been stood down pending the outcome of an investigation into the incident.

Australian Transport Safety Bureau Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell told ABC radio on Monday that the incident could have been far more serious if not for the actions of the Jetstar pilot who braked suddenly to avoid a collision.