A 57-year-old Australian police officer has been shot dead on a rural property in Tasmania while serving a warrant to repossess a home, say police.

The officer had arrived at a house in North Motton, near the town of Ulverstone, on Monday morning when he was fired at by "a member of the public", Tasmania Police said in a statement.

A second police officer returned fire, injuring the suspect's hand. The suspect surrendered and later received treatment in hospital, police said.

Deadly shootings remain rare in Australia, which has strict gun laws.

Following Monday's shooting a crime scene was established in North Motton and the coroner was notified, a police spokesperson said, adding that "there is no ongoing threat to the public".