When traveling abroad, you’re subject to the laws and regulations of the country you’re visiting. If something happens to you or you need assistance, you should know how to contact your country’s representative offices.

Embassies and consulates are vital diplomatic resources for foreign travelers. If you get in legal trouble, you can reach out to them for guidance and assistance. If there’s an emergency or natural disaster, they can act as a conduit, connecting you to your home country. They also help strengthen friendship ties and trade relations between nations and provide other important services to their citizens abroad, like issuing passports and visas. Here’s everything you need to know about embassies and consulates for travel to Australia.

 

Purposes of Embassies and Consulates

Embassies and consulates represent the interests of one country in a different country, serving as a foreign government’s official diplomatic representation in the host country. For example: The Australian embassy in the United States represents the Australian government and its citizens, while the American embassy in Australia represents the USA.

Embassies and consulates promote friendly relationships between governments in matters of foreign affairs, but these diplomatic missions also exist to support their citizens living or traveling abroad. They can assist with legal issues, visas, documents, and more.

Distinguishing Between Embassies and Consulates

Embassies and consulates both serve different purposes, so it’s important to understand the difference between each.

With locations throughout the host country, consulates help travelers and citizens of the host country with services like getting visas, emergency assistance, and passport replacement.

Embassies, on the other hand, are more involved in the ongoing diplomatic relationships between the two countries. Typically located in the host country’s capital city, the embassy is led by the head ambassador of the foreign country. The ambassador is the highest-ranking official diplomat representing the foreign government on foreign soil. Embassies also may or may not assist with consular services.

International Embassies and Consulates in Australia

Around 122 countries currently have embassies in the Australian capital city of Canberra, with consulates general and other consular-services offices in locations across the country.

Below, you’ll find a list of addresses, phone numbers, emails, and opening hours for the following countries:

  • United States of America
  • United Kingdom
  • The Netherlands
  • Germany
  • Singapore

Bookmark this page in case you need emergency consular assistance during your time in Australia. Please note that hours of   are listed in local time and may vary, so call or email in advance to confirm hours and availability, especially as some embassies and consulates general only allow visits by appointment.

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United States

Embassy

US Embassy in Canberra
Moonah Place
Yarralumla, ACT 2600
Phone: +61 (02) 6214-5600
Email: AskEmbassyCanberra@state.gov
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Consulates

US Consulate General, Melbourne
553 St Kilda Road
Melbourne, Victoria 3004
Phone: +61 (03) 9526-5900
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm

US Consulate General, Perth
16 St George’s Terrace, 4th Floor
Perth, WA 6000
Phone: +61 (08) 6144-5100
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

US Consulate General, Sydney
50 Miller Street, Suite 2
Sydney, NSW 2060
Phone: +61 (02) 8219-2100
Hours of Operation: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

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United Kingdom

Embassy

British High Commission Canberra
130 Commonwealth Avenue
Yarralumla, ACT 2600
Phone: +61 (02) 6270-6666 / +44-20-7008-5000
Hours of Operation: By appointment only. Phone lines open 24/7

Consulates

British Consulate-General Sydney
Gateway Building, Level 16
1 Macquarie Place
Sydney, NSW 2000
Phone: +61 (02) 8247-2200 / +44-1908-51-6666
Hours of Operation: By appointment only. Phone lines open 24/7

British Consulate-General Melbourne
90 Collins St, 17th Floor
Melbourne, VIC 3000
Phone: +61 (03) 9652-1600 / +44-1908-51-6666
Hours of Operation: By appointment only. Phone lines open 24/7

British Consulate-General Brisbane
100 Eagle Street, Level 9
Brisbane, QLD 4000
Phone: +61 (07) 3223-3200 / +44-1908-51-6666
Hours of Operation: By appointment only. Phone lines open 24/7

British Consulate-General Perth
251 Adelaide Terrace, Level 12
Perth, WA 6000
Phone: +61 (08) 9224-4700 / +44 1908 51 6666
Hours of Operation: By appointment only. Phone lines open 24/7

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The Netherlands

Embassy

Netherlands Embassy in Canberra
120 Empire Circuit
Yarralumla, Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: +61 (02) 6220-9400 / +31-247-247-247
Email: can@minbuza.nl
Hours of Operation: Monday to Thursday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm; Friday, 9:00 am to 12:30 pm

Consulates

Netherlands Consulate-General in Sydney
Westfield Tower 2, Level 23
101 Grafton Street
Sydney, NSW 2022
Phone: +61 (02) 8305-6800
Hours of Operation: By appointment only. Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

 

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Germany

Embassy

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Canberra
119 Empire Circuit
Yarralumla, ACT 2600
Phone: +61 (02) 6270-1911
Hours of Operation: Monday to Thursday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; Friday, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm

Consulates

Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Sydney
100 William St, Level 17
Sydney (Woolloomooloo), NSW 2011
Phone: +61 (02) 8302-4900
Hours of Operation: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:30 am to 12:00 pm; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm

Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Adelaide
147 Pirie Street, Suite 809
Adelaide, SA 5000
Phone: +61 (08) 8224-0682
Email: adelaide@hk-diplo.de
Hours of Operation: By appointment only. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Brisbane
Gold Tower, Level 32
10 Eagle Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: +61 (07) 3221-7819
Email: brisbane@hk-diplo.de
Hours of Operation: In-person visits by appointment only. Monday to Friday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Cairns
Shop 11 The Conservatory
12 Lake Street
Cairns, QLD 4870
Phone: +61 (07) 4041-5344
Email: cairns@hk-diplo.de
Hours of Operation: By appointment only. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Darwin
15 Cavenagh Street
Darwin CBC, NT 0800
Phone: +61 (08) 8981-2010
Hours of Operation: By appointment only

Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Hobart
179 Murray Street (RACT House), Level 2
Hobart TAS 7000
Phone: +61 (03) 6235-5112
Email: hobart@hk-diplo.de, germany@consulhobart.com
Hours of Operation: By appointment only

Honorary Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Melbourne
370 St Kilda Road, Suite 311
Melbourne, VIC 3004
Phone: +61 (03) 9645-8888
Email: melbourne@hk-diplo.de
Hours of Operation: In-person visits by appointment only. Phone hours: Monday to Thursday, 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm; Friday, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm

Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Perth
22 Stirling Highway, Suite 4, Level 2
Nedlands, WA 6009
Phone: +61 (08) 6319-2870
Email: perth@hk-diplo.de
Hours of Operation: By appointment only

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Singapore

Embassy

High Commission of the Republic of Singapore in Canberra
17 Forster Crescent
Yarralumla, ACT 2600
Phone: +61 (02) 6271-2000
Email: singhc_cbr@mfa.sg
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

Australia: Know Before You Go

Doing your research before traveling helps you avoid issues and be prepared in case of an emergency. For more information on other aspects of travel to Australia, including travel restrictions, health and safety, banking, money, and currency, and extending your stay, visit our Australia content hub.

Obtaining the proper visa is an essential part of planning your trip. At Entriva, we can easily and efficiently help you with every aspect of getting an Australia visa. Start your visa application process.