Commonwealth of Australia

The bilateral relatiosnhip between Brazil and Australia is founded upon many shared values: both are continental countries, with multi-ethnic societies, democratic states, vibrant  economies. Both are global leaders in the production and export of agricultural products and minerals.

Diplomatic relations between Brazil and Australia were established in 1945. In 1946, Australia's first diplomatic representation in Latin America was established in Rio de Janeiro. In the same year, in reciprocity, the Brazilian legation was established in Canberra. The creation of the Brazil-Australia Political Consultations mechanism in 1990 gave fresh momentum to bilateral relations, which were elevated to the level of Strategic Partnership in 2012. Brazil and Australia have a history of cooperation and convergence on issues of the multilateral agenda, such as the G20 and the World Trade Organization - WTO ("Cairns Group").

The Brazil-Australia Plan of Action, which is part of the Memorandum of Understanding between Australia and Brazil for the Establishment of an Enhanced Partnership, signed in September 2010 in New York, provides for the continuation of the consultations mechanism as well as increased cooperation in all priority areas of the Brazil-Australia relationship: trade and investment; science and technology; agriculture; sanitary and phytosanitary affairs; development cooperation; mining and energy (including biofuels); sports; education and training; financial services; visas; culture; legal cooperation; regional security; environment and multilateral issues.

Following the efforts to implement the Plan of Action, the Memorandum of Understanding on Technical Cooperation for the Development in Third Countries and the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on Major Sporting Events (which confirmed Canberra's support for the major sporting events held in Brazil – Rio 2016 Olympics and 2014 World Cup) were signed during the working visit of then-foreign minister Kevin Rudd to Brazil (Foz do Iguaçu, December 2010).

The creation of the Strategic Partnership in 2012 was an important milestone in bilateral relations, with the main objective of intensifying high-level contacts between the two countries.

In 2021, the Agreement on Science, Technology and Innovation cooperation came into force. It is aimed at promoting and facilitating the development of cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

In 2021, trade between Brazil and Australia totaled $1.716 billion, with imports of $1.155 million and exports of $561 million. Some of the main Brazilian sales to Australia include civil engineering installations and equipment, vechicles, agricultural machinery, coffee beans, fruit juices, footwear and medicines; while coal, crude aluminum, cereal and medical instruments and appliances account for Brazilian imports from that country.

Finally, an important component of the bilateral relations has been the growing number of young Brazilians wishing to study in Australia, estimated at nearly 14,000 in 2021. Prior to international travel restrictions related to the pandemic, the number of Brazilian students in Australia totaled more than 27,000.

Chronology of bilateral relations