British High Commission
Canberra
Canberra
The British High Commission in Australia maintains and develops relations between the UK and Australia.
We represent the British government in its relations with the Australian government and present British policies to the Australian government and to Australians. We report and explain Australian policies to the British government and support British interests. We also co-ordinate the political, economic, environmental and commercial activities of the British government.
Find out more on our UK and Australia news page. We provide services to British nationals living in and visiting Australia. You can access UK government services while in Australia.
Urgent assistance
If you’re travelling in Australia, see how to Return to the UK during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. If you cannot return at this time, see how to stay safely in Australia during coronavirus.
See also our coronavirus travel advice for all our latest guidance on travel during coronavirus.
If you’re in Canberra and you need advice which is not covered by reading our travel advice then you can contact us online
If you’re in Canberra and you need urgent help (for example, you’ve been attacked, arrested or someone has died), call +61 (0)2 6270 6666.
Get an emergency travel document
You can apply for an emergency travel document if you’re abroad and your passport has been lost or stolen, damaged or expired, and you can’t get a new or replacement passport in time to travel.
Apply online for an emergency travel document.
If the person needing the emergency travel document is under 16, a parent or guardian should apply on their behalf.
If you are travelling in more than 3 weeks, check if you can get a new or replacement passport in time to travel.
If you are not a British citizen or have not had a British passport before
If you’re not sure, check if you’re a British citizen.
If you’re not a British citizen but think you may be eligible, contact us to apply for an emergency travel document.
Other consular services
Register a same-sex marriage
While registering same-sex marriages in all our consulates around Australia was a service we once provided, due to updates in Australian legislation and the legalisation of same-sex marriages, we no longer register same-sex marriages in British consulates in Australia.
We do however still convert civil partnerships into marriages, please see below:
Convert a civil partnership into a marriage
We can convert an existing civil partnership into marriage.
You must have been living in Australia for 28 days.
You don’t have to convert your civil partnership into a marriage in the country you formed it in.
What to bring with you:
- your original passport and your partner’s original passport
- original civil partnership certificate
- proof of residence, such as your driving licences, employer’s letters, or bank statements/utility bills
You must pay fees: see the list of fees.
See convert a civil partnership into a marriage for full details.
Bookings are by appointment only. Please don’t make formal arrangements until our staff have confirmed the date and time.
Notarial and documentary services
Our consulates around Australia are unable to carry out notarial acts under the Commissioner of Oaths Act 1889, and on instruction from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London.
This includes certifying documents as true copies of originals, administering oaths or taking affidavits. For these or other notarial acts, or the legalising of documents, please contact a notary public.
Consular fees
We charge fees for some of our services. See the list of fees.
We also provide services in:
Our people
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Ingrid Southworth
Deputy Head of Mission, British High Commission Canberra
-
Michael Ward
British Consul General and Director General UK Trade & Investment Australia and New Zealand
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Brigadier Marcus Simson
Defence Adviser, Australia
-
Christopher Holtby OBE
British Consul General, Melbourne
Contact us
British High Commission Canberra
Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia
Telephone: +61 (0)2 6270 6666
Fax: +61 (0)2 6273 3236
Public access to the British High Commission is by appointment only.
24/7 support is available by telephone for all routine enquiries and emergencies. Please call +61 (0)2 6270 6666.
For consular enquiries, use the contact form: www.gov.uk/contact-consulate-canberra
For non-consular enquiries, email australia.enquiries@fco.gov.uk
British Consulate-General Sydney
Consul-General and Director General UK Trade & Investment: Mr Michael Ward
Level 16, Gateway Building, 1 Macquarie Place
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia
Telephone: +61 2 9247 7521
Public access to the British Consulate is by appointment only.
24/7 support is available by telephone for all routine enquiries and emergencies. Please call +61 (0)2 9247 7521.
For consular enquiries, use the contact form: www.gov.uk/contact-consulate-sydney
For non-consular enquiries, email australia.enquiries@fco.gov.uk
British Consulate-General Melbourne
Consul-General: Mr Chris Holtby
17th Floor, 90 Collins St
Melbourne VIC 3000
Australia
Telephone: +61 (0)3 9652 1600
Public access to the British Consulate is by appointment only.
24/7 support is available by telephone for all routine enquiries and emergencies. Please call +61 (0)3 9652 1600.
For consular enquiries, use the contact form: www.gov.uk/contact-consulate-melbourne
For non-consular enquiries, email australia.enquiries@fco.gov.uk
British Consulate Perth
Level 12
251 Adelaide Terrace
Perth WA 6000
Australia
Telephone: +61 (0)8 9224 4700
Public access to the British Consulate is by appointment only.
24/7 support is available by telephone for all routine enquiries and emergencies. Please call +61 (0)8 9224 4700.
For consular enquiries, use the contact form: www.gov.uk/contact-consulate-perth
For non-consular enquiries, email australia.enquiries@fco.gov.uk
British Consulate Brisbane
Level 9
100 Eagle Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
Australia
Telephone: +61 (0)7 3223 3200
Public access to the British Consulate is by appointment only.
24/7 support is available by telephone for all routine enquiries and emergencies. Please call +61 (0)7 3223 3200.
For consular enquiries, use the contact form: www.gov.uk/contact-consulate-brisbane
For non-consular enquiries, email australia.enquiries@fco.gov.uk
Corporate information