The 29-year-old, who won at Noosa last year and in 2013 and 2014, is aiming to become only the second four-time men's champion behind Craig Walton, who claimed five titles between 2002 and 2007.

Royle is the second-highest Australian on the international rankings, at No.29, behind Tasmania's world No.4 Jacob Birtwhistle.

He beat Birtwhistle at Noosa last year and a similar performance will only enhance his case for a berth at Tokyo 2020.

After finishing ninth at Rio 2016, he is hoping to retain his berth for the individual event and also be part of the new relay race, in which Australia appear a realistic chance to feature on the podium.

"The last three years, the Australian [relay] team have got the whole set - gold, silver and bronze - at the world championships, against the best teams from every country," Royle said.

"It's still a new event, and we're definitely in with a shot.

"Triathlon Australia are really targeting the relay, and they've asked the athletes to commit to the event, so we're treating it very seriously.

"Obviously you still need to be able to perform in individual races to get selected, but it's definitely given us all something to aim for."

Royle said the pressure would be on all Australia's Olympic hopefuls to perform in next year's early-season world series races.

"It's discretionary now, up to the selectors," he said.

"They'll decide the team in late May, early June, and the athletes chosen for the relay will also be competing in the individual event.

"We'll have three main races, in Abu Dhabi, Bermuda and Yokohama, that will be important, but I'd like to think I've been on the team now and the selectors know what I can do."

Royle said he was in good shape and confident heading into Noosa. "I'm as fit, if not fitter as the previous years I've won it, so I'd like to think I'm in with a shot," he said.

AAP reports: Ashleigh Gentle will be chasing a record seventh title in the women's event at Noosa.

Gentle is already planning for Tokyo's hot, dirty water after competing in Tokyo's Olympic test event earlier this year. Rio's 2016 Games faced similar issues with water quality.

Gentle has asked for transparency ahead of Tokyo, where she is likely to nab one of three discretionary berths for Australian women and presents as a genuine medal chance in both the individual and inaugural mixed team event.

"If it's bad I just want to know," she said.

"Even if it looks dirty, if it's in the safe levels I'm happy to swim in it.

"But at the Olympics people will put their body in whatever, because it's a once in a lifetime experience.

"They need to do what's best for athletes and that sometimes gets lost in the organisation of such big event."