Poland
Political overview
Poland is a parliamentary republic. The executive branch consists of the President as the head of state, the Prime Minister as the head of government and the Council of Ministers. The President is directly elected using a two-round system for a five-year term, with a two-term limit. All ministers are proposed by the Prime Minister, appointed by the President, and approved by the Sejm.
The legislative branch is a bicameral legislature consisting of the Sejm (lower house) and the Senate (upper house). The Sejm has 460 seats. Members are directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms. The Senate has 100 seats. Members are directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms.
Poland marks its National Day on 11 November, celebrating the day Poland regained its independence in 1918 from the German, Austro-Hungarian, and Russian Empires.
Foreign policy
Poland is a founding member of the United Nations (1945) and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (1973) and joined the World Trade Organization in 1995, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in 1996 and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1999.
Poland joined the European Union in May 2004, including the Schengen area from April 2003 and the Eurozone from September 2008.
Bilateral relations
Australia and Poland established diplomatic ties in 1972, but our bilateral connections predate this. During the Second World War, Australian and Polish forces fought alongside each other in the Siege of Tobruk in 1941, and Australian aircrew flew in support of the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. After the war (between 1947 and 1954), around 50,000 Polish citizens emigrated to Australia. Two further waves of migration (from 1957 to 1966 and from 1980 to 1991) saw an additional 40,000 Poles arrive in Australia.
Abiding community, commercial and academic links underpin a warm bilateral relationship characterised by shared democratic values and support for agreed international rules and norms.
Australia and Poland have also both provided military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in response to Russia's unilateral, illegal, and immoral aggression.
Poland has an Embassy in Canberra, a Consulate-General in Sydney and Melbourne, and consulates in Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and Hobart.
Fast facts
- Polish visitors to Australia (visitor arrivals - 2023) – 14,900
- Australian visitors to Poland (resident returns - 2023) – 17,040
- Resident Australian population born in Poland (2021 census) – 45,884
- Australian residents of Polish descent (2021 census) – 209,281
High level engagement
- 2024 – Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Minister for Defence the Hon Richard Marles MP visited Poland in April.
- 2022 – His Excellency General the Hon David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) was the first Australian Governor-General to visit Poland during the 50th Anniversary year of full diplomatic relations.
Agreements and arrangements with Poland
- Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments (1991)
- Double Taxation (1991)
- Extradition (1999)
- Air Services (2005)
- Cooperation in Environmental Technologies, Goods and Services (2006)
- Social Security (2010).
A comprehensive list of bilateral agreements and texts is available at the Australian Treaties Database.
Public diplomacy
The Australian Embassy in Warsaw hosts and supports activities throughout the year to commemorate international days and showcase Australian culture, people-to-people and historical links to Poland. Past activities have included film festivals, performances and book launches by Australian writers. The Embassy regularly supports activities in support of LGBTI rights in Poland, including the Warsaw Equality Parade held in May or June each year. In 2024, the Australian Embassy took over the role of Coordinator for the LGBTQIA+ Diplomatic Corps Support Group. This active grouping supports the efforts of LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Groups in Poland.
Following the catastrophic bushfires of the 2019/20 summer, generous donations were coordinated by a volunteer fire brigade in southern Poland (Poreba Spytkowska) and made to Kosciuszko National Park. In 2020, Poland’s popular Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity (Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy) also drew nationwide attention to Australian bushfire support and unveiled a large Australian flag as a sign of solidarity.
Economic diplomacy
Australia has a healthy economic relationship with Poland. In 2023, Australia's two-way goods and services trade with Poland was valued at $2.7 billion. Major imports from Poland that year comprised silver and platinum, services, goods vehicles, soap and cleansers, and telecom equipment. Australia's major exports were dominated by coal, and recreational travel, education-travel, and arms and ammunition, aircraft, spacecraft and parts.
In 2023, the total stock of Australian investment in Poland was valued at $3 billion and the stock of Polish Foreign Direct investment in Australia was valued at $6 million.
More economic and trade information can be found in the Poland Country Economic Factsheet.
Business
Several Australian companies have a commercial presence in Poland, including Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (logistics), Balamara Resources (coal mining), Amcor (packaging), ResMed (medical technology), Cromwell Property Group (real estate), Squiz (digital services), ZIP (fintech), IFM Investors (energy and logistics), Nufarm Polska (agrochemicals), ORICA Poland (mining explosives) and Centor (manufacturing). Austrade’s priority sectors in Poland include agribusiness and food, hydrogen, sustainable mining, defence and aerospace.
For more information contact Austrade’s office in Warsaw.
Australian Embassy in Warsaw
Travel
See Smartraveller for information on travelling to Poland.