Diplomatic missions of Australia

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Diplomatic missions of Australia
Diplomatic missions of Australia

Australian diplomatic missions are posts representing the Commonwealth of Australia in foreign countries. They are mostly maintained of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with some smaller posts being run by Austrade. There are currently over eighty Australian missions overseas.[1]

After federation in 1901, Australia's presence abroad was largely limited to state and Commonwealth agents and trade offices. Britain played a defining role in Australia's foreign policy, limiting its need for missions abroad. In 1939 there were only two External Affairs officers posted overseas: one in London (known as Australia House), and one in Washington attached to the British embassy. Australia House were used for scenes of the Gringotts bank in the film Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

The Second World War necessitated increased co-operation with foreign countries independent of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office. By 1940, a base of four missions had been established in Washington, Ottawa, London and Tokyo, and as World War II progressed missions to Australia's wartime allies were established in Noumea, Chungking and Moscow.

Australian diplomatic missions today number at over eighty, although the number of Australian diplomats overseas has dramatically been reduced. Missions have been closed in Berne, Prague, Almaty, Damascus, Kupang, Houston, Addis Ababa, Lusaka, Algiers, Cape Town, Dar es Salaam, Bridgetown and Caracas.

Australia and Canada have an agreement that provides for consular services to each other's citizens at a number of locations around the world. At this time, there are 21 cities where Canadians can obtain consular services from Australian offices, and 19 locations where Canadian offices provide consular services to Australians. In an emergency, Australians can also seek assistance from British offices around the world if there is no resident Australian office.

Listed below are the countries and cities where an Australian diplomatic mission is situated, including embassies, High Commissions, consulates, consulates-general and other delegations (excluding honorary consulates).[2]

Contents

[edit] Europe

Australian High Commission in London
Australian High Commission in London
Australian Embassy in Berlin
Australian Embassy in Berlin
Australian Embassy in Paris
Australian Embassy in Paris

[edit] North America

Australia House, the official residence of the High Commissoner of Australia to Canada.
Australia House, the official residence of the High Commissoner of Australia to Canada.

[edit] South America

[edit] Africa

[edit] Asia

Australian Embassy in Tokyo
Australian Embassy in Tokyo

[edit] Oceania

Australian High Commission in Wellington
Australian High Commission in Wellington
Australian High Commission in Nuku'alofa
Australian High Commission in Nuku'alofa

[edit] Multilateral organisations

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Languages