The Australian Government is now operating in line with Caretaker Conventions, pending the outcome of the 2025 federal election.
Counsellors work to strengthen our international networks and advise us about key initiatives in their host countries.
We also work with Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s (DCCEEW) Counsellor located in Paris.
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:
The US is Australia’s most important economic partner and our third largest two-way trading partner, valued at $US 84 billion in 2023. We share 100 years of mateship and enduring cooperation on economic and national security issues.
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.
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.
Our Europe Counsellor is based at the Australian Mission to the European Union in Brussels. We work closely on resources and energy issues with the DCCEEW counsellor based at the Australian Delegation to the OECD in Paris.
Australia, the European Union and the United Kingdom 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).
Australia’s relationship with Europe is deep-rooted and wide ranging. The EU is Australia's third 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 while negotiations have paused for now they will continue, but may take some time. The EU’s regulations and standards for current and emerging industries and technologies are globally influential.
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 A-UKFTA entered into force on 31 May 2023 and provides opportunities for Australian industry.
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 sixth 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:
Our counsellor is based in the Australian Embassy in Jakarta.
Indonesia is one of Australia’s most important bilateral relationships and enjoy a dynamic and expanding economic relationship with a strategic focus on innovation, economic integration, and sustainable development.
Our counsellor is based in the Australian Embassy in Tokyo.
Japan is Australia’s second largest export market and is a key partner for Australian industry and science.
Our counsellor is based in the Australian Embassy in Seoul.
The Republic of Korea 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.
