Overseas counsellors

Counsellors work to strengthen our international networks and advise us about key initiatives in their host countries.

United States and Canada

Our minister-counsellor is based in the Australian Embassy in Washington DC.

Australia, the United States (US) and Canada have a long history of cooperation and collaboration. We share many similar policy challenges including:

• driving diversification of global supply chains to bolster our economic and national security
• cooperating to develop the safe and responsible technologies of the future including AI, biotech, and quantum
• increasing cross-border collaboration on science and research
• supporting the economic uplift of the Indo-Pacific region.

United States

The US is Australia’s most important economic partner and our second largest two-way trading partner, valued at AUD133.2 billion in 2024. We share 100 years of mateship and enduring cooperation on economic and national security issues.

Canada

As leading mining nations, Canada and Australia share the responsibility of sitting at the forefront of global net zero ambitions. Both countries are trusted suppliers of the commodities vital to the economic, energy, and national security of our key trading partners.

Key priorities

• Leading engagement with US and Canadian governments to promote our shared economic resilience in priority policy areas including industry development, science and technology, and resources and critical minerals.
• Increasing cross-border cooperation and opportunity for Australia’s growing businesses, industries and regions. This includes strengthening market access and investment in our resources sector. It also includes diversifying supply chains and securing Australia’s place as a trusted partner in the global artificial intelligence (AI) landscape.
• Supporting increased science and technology collaboration between the US, Canada and Australia, including cooperation at the leading edge of new technologies.

China

Our counsellor is based in the Australian Embassy in Beijing.

China is a key partner for Australia's industry, resources and science sectors. It is our largest export destination, primarily driven by the export of Australian natural resources.

Key priorities

• Facilitating engagement with the Chinese government and industry on portfolio issues.
• Supporting trade and investment under the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
• Maintaining Australia’s resources trade interests through engagement with resources stakeholders and in-country activities promoting our resources credentials, policies and investment opportunities.
• Helping identify and highlight opportunities for collaboration. As both economies pivot into a low emissions future, decarbonisation is a broad opportunity area.
• Supporting bilateral engagement through the Australia-China Policy Dialogue on Steel Decarbonisation and the Australia-China Science and Research Fund as part of the Global Science and Technology Diplomacy Fund.

Europe

Our counsellor is based at the Australian Mission to the European Union in Brussels.

Australia, the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) share views on many global economic issues. We cooperate in promoting international prosperity in a range of forums including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Energy Agency (IEA).

European Union

Australia’s relationship with Europe is deep-rooted and wide ranging. The EU is Australia's fourth largest two-way trading partner and second largest source of foreign investment. Australia and the EU launched negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) in June 2018, and negotiations are now in their final stages. The EU’s regulations and standards for current and emerging industries and technologies are globally influential.

United Kingdom

The UK is one of our most like-minded partners in the world. Our countries enjoy a high level of cooperation across a wide range of foreign policy, defence, security, intelligence, trade and economic issues.

The Australia-UK FTA entered into force on 31 May 2023 and provides opportunities for Australian industry.

Key priorities

• Increasing economic and policy connections in the areas of industry, science, technology, innovation, digital, space and resources.
• Collaborating on critical minerals, artificial intelligence, quantum and other emerging technologies, space and astronomy through a range of dialogues, joint meetings and working groups.
• Representing Australia at OECD Committees on science, technology, innovation, entrepreneurship and digital economy and engaging with other relevant OECD and IEA work.

India

Our counsellors are based in the Australian High Commission in New Delhi and the Australian Consulate-General in Bengaluru.

India is an important strategic partner to Australia in science, critical technology, space, critical minerals, resources and energy. India is Australia’s fifth largest trading partner and a critical market for our coal, copper, natural gas and mining services.

Export opportunities for Australia are growing as India looks to:

• increase uptake of renewable energy and natural gas
• become a global hub for production, usage and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives
• become a global manufacturer of batteries, solar panels and hydrogen electrolysers
• collaborate with international partners for mining of critical minerals
• increase its steel production and lower emissions from the sector
• increase innovation by supporting its space sector
• facilitate deeper engagement in science and innovation, including on technology, digital and emerging technologies.

Key priorities

New Delhi

• Supporting the Australia India Critical Minerals Investment Partnership and regular Critical Minerals Joint Working Group meetings under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the Field of Mining and Processing of Critical and Strategic Minerals.
• Implementing the Australia-India Renewable Energy Partnership, including establishing a Solar Training Academy and Technology Commercialisation Challenge. Our counsellor in New Delhi also supports energy and climate change functions of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
• Supporting Australia’s role as president of negotiations for COP31.

Bengaluru

• Growing the impact of research and development collaborations through support for projects funded under the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund and various Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) initiatives.
• Supporting Australia-India space cooperation by serving as a conduit between the Australian Space Agency and the Indian Space Research Organisation. This includes fostering greater awareness of commercial space opportunities through the Space Industry Roundtable series.
• Monitoring developments and identifying opportunities for development, adoption and governance of critical technologies like artificial intelligence (AI).
• Monitoring Indian government efforts to enhance domestic advanced manufacturing and security of supply chains.

Indonesia

Our counsellor is based in the Australian Embassy in Jakarta.

Indonesia is one of Australia’s most important bilateral relationships. We enjoy a dynamic and expanding relationship with a strategic focus on innovation, economic integration and sustainable development.

Key priorities

• Implementing the Electric Vehicle (EV) Mechanism MoU through negotiation with Indonesian partners and alignment with Australia's strategic interests, in consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and DCCEEW.
• Implementing activities under the Australia-Indonesia Energy Dialogue Letter of Intent (LoI), working with Indonesian government and Australian industry partners in consultation with DFAT.
• Supporting our department to navigate our interests in Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 and ensure collaboration is consistent with the Future Made in Australia agenda.
• Promoting bilateral scientific engagement, supporting interest from researchers in both countries and working with DFAT to obtain funding.

Japan

Our counsellor is based in the Australian Embassy in Tokyo.

Japan is a key partner for Australian resources, industry and science. It is our second largest export market and fourth largest investor.

Key priorities

• Engaging with Japanese investors in the resources sector, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), coal and minerals.
• Supporting cooperation between Japan and Australia on industrial decarbonisation and net-zero technologies, including green metals.
• Promoting science collaboration with Japan, including in quantum technology and AI.

Republic of Korea

Our counsellor is based in the Australian Embassy in Seoul.

The Republic of Korea (ROK) is Australia’s fourth largest trading partner and third largest export market. The elevation of the Australia-ROK bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in December 2021 signalled greater intent to cooperate on issues our department leads.

Key priorities

• Establishing and growing relationships with relevant government and commercial stakeholders to advance portfolio interests in industry, science, technology and resources.
• Promoting collaboration for resources trade and investment in areas of complementary interests, including harnessing new opportunities in critical minerals.
• Enabling science and technology collaboration.