New Blog 1: Australian Consulate

Australian Consulate

Australian diplomatic missions are posts representing the Commonwealth of Australia in foreign countries. They are mostly maintained of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with some smaller posts being run by Austrade. There are currently over eighty Australian missions overseas. After federation in 1901, Australia's presence abroad was largely limited to state and Commonwealth agents and trade offices. Britain played a defining role in Australia's foreign policy, limiting its need for missions abroad. In 1939 there were only two External Affairs officers posted overseas: one in London (known as Australia House), and one in Washington attached to the British Embassy.