Foreign Relations of Australia - Southeast and East Asia

Australia and East Timor are near neighbours with close political and trade ties. East Timor, one of the poorest countries in Asia, lies about 610 kilometres (380 mi) northwest of the Australian city of Darwin and Australia has played a prominent role in the young republic's history. Australia led the military force that helped stabilise the country after it chose independence from Indonesia in 1999 and has been a major source of aid since.

• Australia has an embassy in Dili.
• East Timor has an embassy in Canberra and a consulate general in Sydney.

• Australia's High commission is situated in Brunei's capital Bandar Seri Begawan while Brunei's High commission is located in Australia's capital Canberra
• Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations

Since Indonesian independence, the two countries have maintained mutual diplomatic relations, formalised co-operation (especially in the fields of fisheries conservation, law enforcement, and justice cooperation), a measure of security co-operation, broadening treaty relationships, co-membership of regional forums, and co-participation in several multilateral Treaties of significance.

Recent years have seen a deepening of Australia's aid commitment to Indonesia, and Australia has become a popular venue for Indonesian students.

In 2008–09 Indonesia is the largest recipient of Australian aid at a value of $462 million.

Australia-Japan relations are generally warm, substantial and driven by mutual interests, and have expanded beyond strong economic and commercial links to other spheres, including culture, tourism, defence and scientific cooperation.

• Australia has a high commission in Kuala Lumpur.
• Malaysia has a high commission in Canberra.
• Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
• Both Australia and Malaysia are members of the Five Power Defence Arrangements and often participate in military exercises together.

Australia and Kazakhstan relations began in 1992. Since then Kazakhstan has opened a consulate in Sydney in 1996, but it closed in 2003 due to resource constraints. There have been a number of high level visits taken place between the two countries to sign cooperation agreements between the two countries. Trade relations are modest.

Australia and Mongolia established relations in 1972. Relations have grown stronger in recent years with free-market reforms in Mongolia and high profile visits from leaders of both countries. Trade between the two countries is small but mainly based on mining and there have been steps to grow this. Australia provides foreign aid to Mongolia.

Australia and Nepal have had diplomatic relations for over 50 years. They have a modest trade relationship but Australia provides more foreign aid than exports. Australia has a few points of interest such as in tourism, commerce and education.

Diplomatic relations are stressed due to North Korea's nuclear weapons program. Since October 2006 visas have not been issued for North Korean citizens and North Korean ships have been banned from Australia's ports. Economically, relations are more modest, North Korea ranks 125th in the order of Australia's trade partners, with two way trade valued between A$6–11 million.

• Australia has an embassy in Manila.
• Philippines has an embassy in Canberra and a consulate general in Sydney.

• Australia does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, in conjunction with its recognition of People's Republic of China, as the sole legitimate government of China.
• Nevertheless, Australia supports Taiwan's participation in international organisations and encourages private investment.
• Taiwan has four economic and cultural offices in Australia.
• The two countries have a large trade relationship, with exports to Taiwan in 2011 worth over $9 billion and imports from Taiwan worth $3.8 billion.

• Australia has a high commission in Singapore.
• Singapore has a high commission in Canberra.
• Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
• Both Australia and Singapore are members of the Five Power Defence Arrangements and often participate in military exercises together.

• During the Korean War, Australia has sent 17,000 soldiers to offer military cooperation with South Korea.
• Economic ties has been strengthened while trade value between the two reached $18 thousand million in 2007.

• Thailand is represented through its embassy in Canberra and a consulate general in Sydney.
• Australia has an embassy in Bangkok.
• Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement

Each country has an embassy with the other.