Foreign relations of Australia

Foreign relations of Australia are influenced by its position as a leading trading nation and as a significant donor of humanitarian aid. Australia's foreign policy is guided by a commitment to multilateralism and regionalism, as well as to build strong bilateral relations with its allies. Key concerns include free trade, terrorism, refugees, economic cooperation with Asia and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Australia is active in the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations. Given its history of starting and supporting important regional and global initiatives, it has been described as a regional middle power par excellence.

It maintains significant ties with ASEAN and has become steadfastly allied with New Zealand, through long-standing ties dating back to the 1800s. The country also has a longstanding alliance with the United States of America. Over recent decades Australia has sought to strengthen its relationship with Asian countries, with this becoming the focus of the country's network of diplomatic missions. In 2021, Australia signed a significant security partnership with the United Kingdom and the United States of America (AUKUS) aimed at upholding security in the Indo-Pacific region. In 2026 Australia signed a treaty with Papua New Guinea, which Anthony Albanese and James Marape described as "a mutual defense treaty that will enabled unprecedented integration of their defense forces and military personnel" and in response to Chinese diplomatic statements to the effect that the pact should not preclude relations with other states Marape stated that "This is not a treaty that sets up enemies but consolidates friendships and China — we’ve been transparent — we have told them that Australia … has become our security partner of choice and they understand." The Papua New Guinea-Australia Mutual Defense Treaty or Pukpuk treaty benefits both states allowing for deeper cooperation, joint training, interoperability and exchange of skills, and jungle warfare training.