Bilateral relations

Türkiye and Australia have longstanding friendly ties, cooperating across a range of issues including counter terrorism and organised crime. The Foreign Ministers of Australia and Türkiye speak at regular intervals. Australia committed $11.5 million and deployed our disaster assistance response teams following the February 2023 earthquakes in southeastern Türkiye.

Australia and Türkiye are both members of the G20, OECD and the MIKTA (Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Türkiye and Australia) forum, an informal grouping that addresses diverse international challenges. Our relations are underpinned by strong people-to-people links and annual high-level visits. Direct flights between Istanbul and Melbourne commenced in March 2024.

Foreign policy

Türkiye is a sophisticated foreign policy actor, and in recent years has been a major player in developments, dialogue and regional collaboration. Türkiye is currently hosting around 3.6 million registered Syrian refugees. It has significant economic, security and cultural links with Central Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. It is a member of the NATO alliance and is a candidate state for EU membership.

For more information, see the Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Fast facts

• Turkish visitors to Australia (2023) – 10,030
• Australian visitors to Türkiye (2023) – 55,700
• Resident Australian population born in Türkiye (2021 census) – 38,568
• Australian residents of Turkish descent (2021 census) – 87,164
• Turkish work and holiday (FY 20223–24) – 61
• Turkish students in Australia (FY2023–24) – 6,553

High level engagement

• 2024 – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence the Hon Richard Marles visited Türkiye for Anzac Day commemorations
• 2023 – Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel the Hon Matt Keogh and Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Greg Bilton visited Türkiye for Anzac Day commemorations
• 2023 – Foreign Minister Penny Wong met with Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on the margins of the G20 in New Delhi
• 2023 – Senator Andrew McLachlan visited Türkiye for a MIKTA Speakers’ Consultation
• 2022 – Deputy Chief of Air Force Stephen Meredith visited Türkiye for Anzac Day commemorations
• 2019 – Chief of Defence Force Angus Campbell visited Türkiye for Anzac Day commemorations.

Agreements with Türkiye

• Extradition Treaty
• Work and Holiday Visa Arrangement
• Defence Framework Agreement
• MOU on counter-terrorism and organised crime
• Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement
• Air Services Agreement
• Double Taxation Agreement

Public diplomacy

The Australian Embassy in Ankara manages a public diplomacy program focusing on promoting Australian trade and education, advocating our values, and strengthening people-to-people links. The Embassy engages with Turkish leaders and authorities, alumni of Australian universities, business, civil society, and others to raise Australia’s public profile in Türkiye, including via social media and through hosting events.

Through the Direct Aid Program, Australia uses small grants to work with local communities in Türkiye. There is an emphasis on education, health, gender equality, increased access to STEM, and empowerment of the most vulnerable – particularly, individuals with disabilities, youth, migrants, and refugees.

Australian Embassy in Ankara

Uĝur Mumcu Caddesi
No: 88, 7th Floor Gaziosmanpaşa
Ankara 06700
Facebook: Australia in Türkiye
Twitter: @AusAmbTürkiye

Australian Consulate in Istanbul

Harbiye Mahallesi, Asker Ocağı Cad
Süzer Plaza No:15,
34357 Şişli/Beşiktaş/İstanbul

Australian Consulate in Çanakkale

Kolin Hotel Kepez 17111/ Çanakkale

Economic diplomacy

The Australian Embassy in Ankara and Consulate-General in Istanbul drive Australia's economic diplomacy agenda with assistance from Austrade's Istanbul Office. Developing awareness of respective trade and investment opportunities in Türkiye and Australia is a priority.

Istanbul is a major hub linking Turkiye and Europe with other continents. It is a centre of tourism, transport services, energy and advanced manufacturing business. FinTech and health services are growing sectors in Türkiye and there is potential for increased Australian exports. Education, tourism and agriculture are other areas of potential growth.

More economic and trade information can be found in the Türkiye country/ economic fact sheet [PDF].