Bilateral relations
The Australian Government has limited all bilateral cooperation with Belarus due to its support for Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Australia only engages bilaterally with Belarus when it is critical to delivering on our national interests.
The Australian Government has asked all state, territory and local governments and public universities to put on hold existing bilateral cooperation with the Belarusian government, including Belarusian subnational government entities, and to reconsider new engagement.
From 4 December 2024, any new arrangements between Australian state, territory and local governments and public universities, and universities in Belarus (or Russia), must be notified under the Foreign Arrangements Scheme.
For more information see the Foreign Arrangements Scheme or contact the Foreign Arrangements Branch in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at foreignarrangements@dfat.gov.au.
Sanctions
Australia has imposed costs on Belarus, including trade measures and targeted sanctions, in response to its support for Russia’s invasion on Ukraine.
Our measures include:
- Sanctions on Lukashenko and his immediate family, Belarusian senior officials, and defence entities supporting Russia;
- An additional 35 per cent tariff on goods produced or manufactured by Belarus (extended to 24 October 2027);
- Limiting all bilateral cooperation with Belarus.
Media releases and statements
- Visit to Australia by Svitlana Tsikhanouskaya, 6 November 2025
- Universal Periodic Review of Belarus, 3 November 2025
- United Nations Third Committee Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Belarus, 27 October 2025
- Interactive Dialogue with Group of Independent Experts on Belarus, 19 September 2025
- Joint statement on the 5th anniversary of the fraudulent 2020 presidential election in Belarus, 9 August 2025
- Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Belarus, 26 June 2025
- Joint Statement on Belarus Presidential Election, 28 January 2025
- Interactive Dialogue on the Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, 3 July 2024
- Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s report on the situation of human rights in Belarus in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election and in its aftermath, 19 March 2024
- National Statement during the Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner Report on Belarus, 22 March 2023
- Interim oral update of the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in Belarus, 23 September 2022
- Interactive Dialogue OHCHR Report on Belarus, 17 March 2022