The Australian Embassy is managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with additional specialist sections provided by attached agencies. At present the Embassy consists of the following sections:
Political Section
The Political Section is staffed with officers from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Section:
- manages bilateral political contacts
- reports on political developments in China
- reports on China's foreign relations and strategic issues
- makes representations on issues related to regional and multilateral forums
- also covers social policy, human rights
Economic Section
The Economic Section is staffed with officers from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Section:
- manages bilateral economic contacts
- reports on economic developments in China
- pursues improved access to Chinese markets
- makes representations on regional and multilateral trade issues
Commercial Section
The Commercial Section is staffed with officers from the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) . The Section:
- assists Australian companies seeking to export goods or services to China by providing services such as market research, customer qualification, in-market visit programs, business development and marketing strategies
- encourages and assists with two-way investment
- provides business information to Australian companies on the Chinese market
- assists Chinese companies wishing to source Australian products, or seeking investment opportunities in Australia.
Visa Section
The Visa Section is staffed with officers from the Department of Home Affairs. The Section:
- processes visa applications for business people and tourists wishing to visit Australia
- provides advice to other visa offices that process student visas and permanent visas from applicants living in China
- consults with the Chinese government on matters of mutual interest relating to the international movement of people (including people smuggling and trafficking)
- also responsible for matters relating to Australia\'s multicultural society and indigenous affairs.
Consular and Administration Section
The Consular and Administration Section is staffed with officers from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Section:
- provides consular assistance to Australians in distress
- issues passports to Australian citizens
- provides a range of other documentation services to Australians
- provides administrative support services for rest of the Embassy, (financial, personnel, property).
Defence Section
The Defence Section is staffed with officers from the Australian Defence Force. The Section:
- manages bilateral military contacts and exchanges
- promotes regional and global security through transparency and mutual understanding
- reports on developments in China's military and strategic issues
- consults with the Chinese military on defence and security issues
For further information, please check:
Defence Online Media Room
Defence Leadership
Education and Research Section
The Education Section is staffed with officers from the Department of Education, Skills and Employment. The Section:
- Consults with the Chinese government and the education sector on cooperation in education and training
- Is responsible for Australian international education quality and regulation
- Conducts international education research and analysis to provide strategic intelligence and advice on China’s education market
- Develops and provide information on regulatory matters and Australian education policy issues to education agents and media
- Engages with foreign government bodies on inbound and outbound scholarship opportunities
Industry Section
Staffed with officers from the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources this section:
• works with the Chinese government on matters related to resources, energy, science and vocational education
• facilitates closer linkages between companies and institutions in both countries in these areas
• supports the delivery of the Australia-China Science and Research Fund.
Development Cooperation Section
The Development Cooperation Section:
- manages Australia's bilateral and multilateral development assistance program in China, Mongolia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
- focuses on poverty alleviation and governance
- provides policy advice on development cooperation needs, opportunities and emerging trends and issues
- consults with the Chinese government, and other development partners as appropriate, on the design and implementation of the development cooperation program.
Public Affairs and Culture Section
The Public Affairs and Culture Section is staffed with officers from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Section:
- advances Australian foreign, trade and other policy interests in China through media and social media engagement, public programs, events and international visits
- projects a positive, accurate and contemporary image of Australia and what it can offer China
- coordinates all media queries, media activities and social media content relating to the Embassy’s work in China
- encourages the development of people-to-people links, including implementing the Global Alumni Strategy in China, strengthening the Australian Studies Centre network and supporting the New Colombo Plan and youth engagement activities
- delivers cultural and economic diplomacy programs that highlight Australia’s creative excellence and showcase Australia as an open, innovative and inclusive society
- promotes the strengthening and broadening of networks and partnerships between Australia and China in arts, culture and creative industries
Police Liaison Section
The Police Liaison Section is staffed with officers from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) . The Section:
- manages bilateral law enforcement contacts
- cooperates with Chinese law enforcement authorities on matters of common concern, including drug trafficking, people smuggling, money laundering and related trans-national crime.
Agriculture Section
The Agriculture Section is staffed with officers from the Department of Agriculture. The Section:
- seeks and maintains market access for Australian agricultural, fisheries and forestry products in China
- reports on developments in China affecting Australia's agriculture, forestry and fisheries exports
- consults with the Chinese government on related issues, especially quarantine issues
Customs and Border Protection Section
The Customs Section is staffed with officers from the Department of Home Affairs. The Section:
- manages bilateral and multilateral customs contacts and exchanges in PR China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, the Republic of Korea and Mongolia
- cooperates with the General Administration of China Customs and other law enforcement authorities on matters of common concern
- handles issues such as trade facilitation, commercial matters including anti-dumping and border issues such as drug trafficking and smuggling
Treasury Section
The Treasury Section is staffed with officers from the Department of the Treasury. The Section:
- reports on macro-economic and structural policy developments in China that have implications for the Australian economy
- reports particularly on developments in China's banking and financial services sector
- manages bilateral contacts with China's economic agencies
- provides information about Australia’s foreign investment framework
Agricultural Research Cooperation Section
The Agricultural Research Cooperation Section is staffed with officers from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Section:
- manages bilateral agricultural research cooperation projects in China
- identifies areas of potential agricultural research cooperation
- consults with Chinese research organisations on the design and development of bilateral agricultural research cooperation projects
Intellectual Property Section
The Intellectual Property (IP) Section is staffed with officers from IP Australia. The Section:
- conducts outreach activities to help Australians understand how to protect their IP in China
- develops resources for IP Australia’s China web content, including the Guide to Protecting your IP in China
- provides information and guidance in response to specific IP enquiries (contact form here)
- manages Australia’s bilateral IP engagement with China