Australia maintains some 80 diplomatic missions, which include Australian Embassy, Consulates and High Commissions, in foreign countries around the world to represent the interests of the Commonwealth of Australia.

An Australian Embassy has many functions, but in brief an Australian Embassy is responsible for the peaceful advancement of Australia’s interests abroad.

In this regard, an ambassador in an Australian Embassy and their staff may deal with a range of matters including politics, economics, commerce, trade and investment, culture, defence, and development co-operation.

The Australian Embassy is also responsible for passport handing and services, entry clearances and Australian Visas.

In addition, the Australian Embassy will also be involved with providing information and assistance to Australians overseas.

Consular services provided by the Australian Embassy include: providing assistance in the case of an accident, serious illness or death, and arrangements for family to be informed; helping Australians that are arrested and arranging for family to be informed if wished; providing a list of local solicitors; and providing emergency assistance in the case of civil disturbances and natural disasters.

An Australian Embassy will provide information on Australian Elections, so that Australians visiting or residing overseas are able to vote in elections; notarial services; travel advisories and travellers hints from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and online registration for Australians overseas.

The online registration for Australians overseas by the Australian Embassy is an important tool, as it allows consular staff to contact Australians in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family emergency. It may also be used to pass other information such as new travel advisories, notice of elections and information on other matters relevant to travellers and expatriates.

Unfortunately, the consular section in an Australian Embassy cannot help in all cases. An Australian Embassy cannot:

Provide visas or work permits for other countries;
Get you out of prison;

Obtain preferential treatment for you in prison, hospital, or in any dealing you might have with the local authorities;

Investigate crimes in foreign countries;

Arrange travel or accommodation bookings or store your luggage;

Pay hotel, medical, or any other expenses;

Collect or hold mail for you;

Provide funds to pay your legal costs or fines, represent you at legal proceedings or give legal advice; AND

Issue pensions, although an Australian Embassy can assist you to contact government authorities in Australia to help resolve this issue. 
In Europe, an Australian Embassy can be found in Vienna (Austria), Brussels (Belgium), Zagreb (Croatia), Copenhagen (Denmark), Paris (France), Berlin (Germany), Athens (Greece), Vatican City (Holy See), Budapest (Hungary), Dublin (Ireland), Rome (Italy),  The Hague (Netherlands), Warsaw (Poland), Lisbon (Portugal), Moscow (Russia), Belgrade (Serbia), Madrid (Spain), Stockholm (Sweden).

In North America, an Australian Embassy can be found in Mexico City (Mexico), and Washington D.C. (US).

In South America, Buenos Aires (Argentina), Brasilia (Brazil), and Santiago de Chile (Chile) all host an Australian Embassy.

An Australian Embassy can be found in the African cities of Cairo (Egypt), and Harare (Zimbabwe).

In Asia, an Australian Embassy is in Kabul (Afghanistan), Rangoon (Burma), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Beijing (People’s Republic of China), Jakarta (Indonesia), Tehran (Iran), Baghdad (Iraq), Tel Aviv (Israel), Tokyo (Japan), Amman (Jordan), Seoul (Republic of Korea), Vientiane (Laos), Amman (Lebanon), Kathmandu (Nepal), Manila (Philippines), Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Bangkok (Thailand), Dili (Timor-Leste), Ankara (Turkey), Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), and Hanoi (Vietnam).

In Oceania, an Australian Embassy is found in Pohnpei (Federated States of Micronesia), and Meneng (Nauru). 

While all large overseas diplomatic missions are generally referred to as an Australian Embassy in common language, missions between Commonwealth countries are known as high commissions.

For example, the diplomatic mission in Australia House London is referred to as the Australian High Commission to the United Kingdom.

Among all Commonwealth nations the term ‘embassy’ is not used to describe diplomatic centres because the countries have had a close relationship and joint history, therefore they reserve the term for foreign missions only.

Australia maintains a diplomatic mission with most Commonwealth countries, including New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, Bangladesh, Cyprus, India, Fiji, and Malaysia to name a few.

Australian and Canadian governments have a joint agreement to provide consular services to each other’s citizens at a number of locations around the world, for example, when there is not an Australian Embassy.

Currently, there are 21 cities where Canadian can obtain services from an Australian Embassy or diplomatic centre at a number of locations around the world.

There are 19 cities where Canadian offices will provide consular services to Australians.

In an emergency, Australians can seek assistance from British offices around the world should there not be an Australian Embassy or diplomatic mission. 

23 March 2010