The Australian Government has a long tradition of accepting honorary consuls and over two-thirds of the consular posts established in Australia are headed by honorary consular officers. Honorary consuls can make a substantial contribution to aspects of individual bilateral relationships especially if the country they represent does not maintain diplomatic representation in Australia.
Your appointment as an honorary consul is based on a formal agreement between the government of the country you represent (the sending state) and the Australian Government, as outlined in the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR).
Accreditation
You should be given a commission by the sending state outlining the consular functions you are required to perform. These will include some or all of the functions specified in Article 5 of the VCCR.
Once your nomination has been accepted, we will formally advise the sending state. If you are to be the head of a consular post, we will issue an exequatur to you. This is a document signed by the Chief of Protocol which authorises you to perform consular functions. If the sending state has a diplomatic mission in Canberra, we will send the exequatur to the mission for passing to you. If there is no diplomatic mission, we will send it to you directly.
Before you exercise functions, however, you must formally be accredited by the Protocol Branch of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
You must complete the Honorary Consul - Commencement/Renewal [PDF] form and the Acknowledgement - Honorary Consuls' Immunities [Word] and return these to Protocol Branch. Please provide your telephone number/s and confirm (by ticking the relevant section on the form) that these may be published in the Consular List. We will then issue an identity card to you, and update the details of your post on the Consular List, which is published on the DFAT website. As these details will be made public, so that consular clients can contact you, please consider any privacy related concerns.
Your accreditation will usually be valid for five years (the end date is shown on your identity card). It is your responsibility to ensure that your identity card remains valid. If you propose to continue in the role, you should contact Protocol Branch six weeks before the expiry of your identity card and we will consult with the sending state about renewing your accreditation.
It is important that your contact details for clients are kept up to date on the Consular List. Please advise us quickly if your details change.
NOTE YOUR IDENTITY CARD EXPIRY DATE HERE:
Privileges and immunities
The purpose of consular privileges and immunities is not to benefit you as an individual but to ensure the efficient performance of consular business on behalf of the country you represent. In accordance with the VCCR, your privileges and immunities are limited to acts performed in the exercise of consular functions. These do not include driving a motor vehicle, so immunity does not apply to traffic or parking offences. Your privileges and immunities do not extend to family members or support staff.
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Exemption from customs duties |
Only specified articles imported for post's official use e.g. coats of arms, flags, signs, seals and stamps, printed matter. No motor vehicles. |
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| Arrest and detention |
Not immune, but if you are arrested, detained or prosecuted, you have a right to have this fact promptly reported to the sending state. |
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Prosecution |
Not immune, except in respect of acts performed while exercising consular functions. |
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Requirement to give evidence |
Not immune, except in relation to consular functions. |
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Personal search |
Not immune |
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Official premises search |
Not immune, although the Australian Government is obliged to protect consular premises from intrusion, damage or impairment of dignity. |
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Official papers |
Yes, provided they are kept separately from your private or other business papers. |
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Residential entry and search |
Not immune |
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Motor vehicle search |
Not immune |
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Drink driving and breath testing |
Not immune |
Offices and vehicles
For the benefit of both clients and the local authorities, it is useful to designate consular premises, including by display of the national flag and coat of arms of the country you represent.
Motor vehicle registration is a matter for the authorities in the state or territory where you reside, and arrangements vary. You may be eligible to obtain consular licence plates for a vehicle registered in your name. Check with the DFAT office in your capital city.
Car pennants should not be flown except on specific occasions such as Head of State visits, when the vehicle is being used solely for official business of the sending state, and arrangements have the prior agreement of the police.
Client access
Your hours of business will be published along with your contact details in the Consular List. You should make contingency arrangements, for example through website and telephone messaging, to manage any emergencies and cover periods of absence.
Many honorary consuls receive administrative and technical support from persons in their office or home. Such persons are not accredited by the Australian Government, are therefore not empowered to perform substantive consular functions, and cannot act in your place if you are absent. You cannot deputise others to perform substantive consular functions.
Getting started
Depending on the kind of consular business you expect to perform, you might find it useful to establish contacts with the police, prisons, funeral directors, courts, hospitals, immigration offices, airports and religious organisations in your jurisdiction. The Dean and other colleagues in the Consular Corps may also have advice and tips to assist you.
Further information to help with consular enquires in Australia can be found on the DFAT website at Consular enquiries in Australia
The Protocol Guidelines contain essential and detailed information on practical matters you may need to become familiar with, such as presentation of credentials by non-resident heads of mission and airport facilitation for some categories of eligible visiting dignitaries.
Continuing your accreditation
Please let us know promptly if your contact details change, so that we can update your entry in the Consular List. This includes changes to your physical address, phone number, email, and office hours.
Your appointment as an honorary consul is contingent on your good character, conduct and reputation and having no conflict of interest (or perception of conflict of interest) with any other roles or responsibilities. If your circumstances change, casting doubt on any ethical considerations, you must advise us promptly.
Finishing your accreditation
You must advise DFAT and remove all official signage from your home and office when your appointment as honorary consul ends. If consular number plates for a motor vehicle have been obtained they must be surrendered to the relevant motor vehicle registry at the conclusion of your appointment. Identity cards should be returned to the nearest DFAT office.
Contacting Protocol Branch and state offices
Protocol Branch and the DFAT offices in capital cities are available to assist with enquiries about your status and operations. For routine matters, email Protocol.Branch@dfat.gov.au. In an after-hours emergency, you may call the Duty Officer on 0418 167 127.
Contact details for state offices
New South Wales
Phone: (02) 9356 6262
dfat.nsw@dfat.gov.au
Northern Territory
Phone: (08) 8982 4199
dfat.darwin@dfat.gov.au
Queensland
Phone: (07) 3405 4799
Brisbane@dfat.gov.au
South Australia
Phone: (08) 8403 4899
adelaide.sa@dfat.gov.au
Tasmania
Phone: (03) 6238 4099
dfat.tasmania@dfat.gov.au
Victoria
Phone: (03) 9221 5444
vso@dfat.gov.au
Western Australia
Phone: (08) 9231 4499
dfat.wa@dfat.gov.au