The international schedule will limit his outings this summer, but Sixers have signed him onto their list and he is locked in to face Renegades at the SCG before flying to Perth ahead of the opening Test against Pakistan which starts on December 14.

It is unlikely Smith will be available for any other matches, including the finals, due to Australia commitments.

"The impact that Steve was able to make in such a short time last season is testament to the kind of player he is," Rachael Haynes, the head coach of Sydney Sixers, said. "We have no doubt Sixers fans can expect the same level of entertainment when he takes to the field again this summer."

"Anyone would want to open in T20 cricket," Smith told AAP at the start of the summer. "It was cool to be able to show what I could do in the Big Bash. Hopefully I can replicate that internationally as well."

Melbourne Stars will also be without Mark Steketee and Beau Webster for the opening-night game against Heat while Sixers won't have Todd Murphy available against Renegades.

Other clubs will also hope there is a chance of briefly seeing their Test players during the eight-day gap between the Sydney Test, which ends on January 7, and the opening game against West Indies from January 17.

Australia's three frontline multiformat quick bowlers - Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood - are not yet attached to any BBL teams and are unlikely to play given their workloads.