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Embassy Structure
 

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
  
   
• promotes bilateral economic relations including work on the FTA Feasibility Study
  
   
• makes representations on regional and multilateral trade issues

Commercial Section

The Commercial Section is staffed with officers from the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) and Invest Australia. 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.  

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

Visa Section

The Visa Section is staffed with officers from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). 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

Education Section

The Education Section is staffed with officers from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). 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
• Manages the Endeavour Awards program; liaise and engage with foreign government bodies on inbound and outbound scholarship opportunities
• 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
   

Innovation and Science Section

The Innovation and Science Section is staffed with an officer from the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. The section:

• assists implementation of major bilateral cooperation programs and events
• manages bilateral innovation and science communication and liaison
• reports on innovation and science developments in China
• facilitates exchange of visits on science, research and innovation between governments, research institutes and universities
  

Development Cooperation Section

The Development Cooperation Section is staffed with officers from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) . The Section:

• manages Australia's bilateral and multilateral development assistance program in China, Mongolia and the Democratic Peoples 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 using the media and public events
  
   
• projects a positive, accurate and contemporary image of Australia and what it can offer China
  
   
• encourages the development of people-to-people links, including Australian studies
  
   
• arranges or assists with Australian cultural events in China that showcase our unique characteristics

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
  
   
• includes drug trafficking, people smuggling, money laundering and related trans-national crime
  
   
• also responsible for customs issues

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Section

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Section is staffed with officers from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry ( DAFF ). 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 Australian Customs and Border Protection Service ( Customs ). 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  
  
  For further information on customs matters and requirements please go to the following links:
  
  Travellers/Tourists to Australia
  
  Exporters/Importers
  
  Anti-Dumping
  
  Media and Forms

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 Ministry of Finance and other key economic agencies

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

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)