Embassy of Australia

The Embassy of Australia represents Australians while facilitating entry to and exit from foreign countries by Australians.

The Australian Embassy, like most embassies, exists to represent a country, Australia in this case, and its citizens in foreign countries. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Australian government is the administrative department for all Australian embassies. The heads of this department are the Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Hon Stephen Smith; the Minister for Trade, The Hon Simon Crean; the Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, The Hon Bob McCullan; and the Parliamentary Secretary for Trade, The Hon Anthony Byrne.

The Australian Embassy is referred to as the Consular, which is another word for "representative." In addition to representing Australia in other countries, the Australian Embassy:

• Assists Australians in foreign countries
• Provides travel information to Australians
• Aids in the acquisition of passports
• Enables Australians to complete oversea registration online
• Maintains information about former residents of Australia, to include benefits, payments, and services
• Mitigates the return of Australian residents
• Offers social and employment services to Australians
• Holds elections for its governing members
• Accommodates the following services for residents living in Australia:
• Citizenship
• Taxation issues
• Drivers licenses
• Birth, marriage, and death certificates
• Police clearances
• Marriage overseas
• Authentications and apostilles

Providing Assistance to Australians in Foreign Countries

Whereas the Australian Embassy affords a great deal of assistance to Australians overseas, there are limitations to the services that the embassy can provide. Generally, providing assistance means helping Australians that are in trouble. This includes making the most of limited healthcare resource and helping Australians in the event of legal trouble. Alternately, a Consular cannot supersede local cultural mores, religious beliefs, or a legal system within the scope of what is generally considered just by Australian standards. Thus, according to the Australian government, Australian Consults can:

• Issue emergency passports and other travel documents
• Provide assistance in the case of an accident, serious illness, and death
• Provide financial assistance in the event of real emergencies in the form of loans
• Provide assistance in the event of an arrest, to include notifying next of kin, furnish a list of local lawyers, conduct prison visits, and ensure just treatment
• Provide assistance during natural disasters and civil uprisings
• Provide travel advice
• Witness and signature certification
• Provide a list of local doctors

Alternately, according to the same entity, Australian Consults cannot:

• Arrange travel plans, bookings, or luggage storage
• Pay for travel accommodations, medical bills (or any bills for that matter), or reimbursements for lost belongings
• Provide funds for legal costs or administer legal advice
• Get citizens out of prison or arrange special treatment in prison
• Provide interpreter, telephone, or photocopy services
• Investigate crimes
• Pay pensions or arrange social security payments
• Obtain work permits or visas for individuals
• Investigate crimes
• Perform marriage ceremonies