The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is the largest coral reef system on Earth, visible even from space.
Commonwealth of Australia
AustraliaAustralia and New Zealand+6:00Hours ahead of the UAE
About the Country
General Information
National Identity
Official Language(s)No official language at the federal level (English is the de facto national language)
National CurrencyAustralian Dollar (AUD)
National Day(s)26 January (Australia Day)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalCanberra
Economic CapitalSydney
Cultural CapitalMelbourne
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 14 h
Direct flights to Sydney
Primary AirportSydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD)
Primary PortPort of Melbourne
Geography
Land Area7,688,287 km²
Length of the Coastline25,760 km
Highest PointMount Kosciuszko (2,228 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverMurray River (longest river, Australia's principal river system, vital for irrigation and agriculture)
ClimateMostly arid to semi-arid (interior), temperate (south), tropical (north)
Border Countries
None (island)
0Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research
Key Facts
Australia has more than 10,000 beaches.
Australia is home to unique wildlife, with 83% of its mammals found nowhere else in the world.
Australia is one of the world’s largest exporters of iron ore, coal and natural gas.
Australia’s Indigenous cultures are among the oldest continuous cultures on Earth, dating back over 60,000 years.
The Sydney Opera House is one of the most iconic buildings globally and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Vegemite is one of Australia’s most iconic foods, known for its strong salty flavour and cultural significance.
Lake Hillier in Western Australia is famous for its naturally pink colour, although its appearance can vary due to changes in salinity and environmental conditions.
The island of Tasmania has some of the cleanest air in the world, monitored by global atmospheric research stations.
Australia’s Daintree Rainforest is one of the oldest rainforests on Earth, estimated to be over 180 million years old.
Australia’s Great Ocean Road is the world’s largest war memorial, built by returning soldiers after World War I.
Australia is divided into six states and two territories, each with its own government and legislative powers.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research
Economic Overview
Macroeconomic Snapshot
GDP, current prices1,840.0Billions of USD · 2025
Real GDP growth2.0%Annual percent change · 2025
GDP per capita, current prices66,352USD per capita · 2025
Population27.73Millions of people · 2025
General government gross debt51.0%% of GDP · 2025
Income levelWorld Bank classificationHigh Income
Last Updated: October 2026Source: IMF DataMapper; World Bank Open Data
Economic Comparison
| Indicator |  UAE | AustraliaUAE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP, current pricesBillions of USD · 2025 | 1,840.0 | 614.4 | |
| GDP, PPPCurrent int$, Billions · 2025 | 1,986.4 | 871.7 (2024) | |
| Real GDP growthAnnual percent change · 2025 | 2.0% | 6.2% | |
| GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita · 2025 | 66,352 | 54,151 | |
| PopulationMillions of people · 2025 | 27.73 | 11.35 | |
| Unemployment rate% of total labor force · 2025 | 4.20% | 1.73% | |
| Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change · 2025 | 2.9% | 1.3% | |
| General government gross debt% of GDP · 2025 | 51.0% | 33.9% | |
| Income levelWorld Bank classification | High Income | High Income |
Last Updated: October 2026Source: IMF DataMapper; World Bank Open Data
Foreign Trade
Australia's Top 5 Trade Partners
- 01
China
- 02
United States of America
- 03
Japan
- 04
South Korea
Australia’s Imports
Top 5 Import Sources
- 01
- 02
- 03
- 04
- 05
Singapore
Top 5 Imports Globally
- Machinery and mechanical appliances
- Vehicles (other than railway rolling stock)
- Mineral fuels, mineral oils and distillation products
- Electrical machinery and equipment
- Pearls, precious stones, precious metals and articles thereof
Australia’s Exports
Top 5 Export Destinations
- 01
- 02
- 03
- 04
Top 5 Exports Globally
- Mineral fuels & oils
- Ores, slag and ash
- Pearls, stones, precious metals and its articles
- Meat and edible meat offal
- Cereals
Last Updated: October 2026Source: ITC Trade Map (2025)
Political Overview
Leadership
H.E. Sam Mostyn
Since July 2024
Hon. Anthony Albanese
Since May 2022
Senator the Hon. Penny Wong
Since June 2022
Senator the Hon. Katy Gallagher
Since June 2022
Senator the Hon. Don Farrell
Since June 2022
Hon. Richard Marles
Since June 2022
Political Summary
Political System
Federal Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
The Head of State is the Monarch (King Charles III), represented by the Governor-General. The Head of Government is the Prime Minister.
Ruling Party
Australian Labor Party (ALP): Centre-left (since 2022)Re-elected in May 2025.
Main Opposition Force(s)
Liberal–National Coalition, which includes:Liberal Party of Australia (LP): Centre-rightNational Party of Australia (NP): Centre-right to right-wing
Next Presidential Election
Not applicable (Hereditary)
Next Legislative Election
Between August 2027 and May 2028 (exact date not yet determined)
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research
Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs
57Organizations
14Member
25Founding Member
9Partner, Observer or Participant
9Not a Member
No organisation matches.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations
Competitiveness Indexes
| Index | Year | Rank Out of | Australia | UAE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| 2026 | 70 | 17 | 5 | |
| 2022 | 153 | 35 | 27 | |
| 2023 | 5 | 3.7 | 4 | |
| 2026 | 110 | 4 | 22 | |
| Talent | ||||
| 2025 | 69 | 19 | 9 | |
| 2025 | 135 | 10 | 25 | |
| 2025 | 193 | 7 | 15 | |
| Innovation | ||||
| 2026 | 139 | 20 | 25 | |
| 2025 | 69 | 23 | 9 | |
| Governance | ||||
| 2024 | 193 | 8 | 11 | |
| 2024 | 198 | 24 | 9 | |
| Society | ||||
| 2026 | 161 | 9 | 51 | |
| 2026 | 171 | 13 | 44 | |
| 2025 | 172 | 20 | 13 | |
| 2025 | 148 | 13 | 69 | |
| 2026 | 163 | 20 | 73 | |
| 2025 | 147 | 11 | 21 | |
| 2026 | 169 | 29 | 71 | |
| AI | ||||
| 2024 | 36 | 24 | 8 | |
| 2025 | 195 | 9 | 19 | |
No index matches.
Last Updated: October 2026Source: International rankings and indices
Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic Relations and Representation
Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations10 Mar 197551 years of relations
UAE Ambassador
H.E. Dr. Fahad Obaid Al TaffaqUAE Ambassador to Australia · ResidentForeign Ambassador
H.E. Ridwaan JadwatAmbassador of Australia to the UAE · ResidentLast Updated: June 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research
Flights by UAE Carriers
Passenger Flights
October 2026 figures38Total Weekly Passenger Flights
EYEtihad Airways10
EKEmirates28
FZflydubai0
G9Air Arabia0
Cargo Flights
October 2026 figures0Total Weekly Cargo Flights
EYEtihad Cargo0
EKEmirates SkyCargo0
Last Updated: October 2026Source: GCAA
Consular Information
| 2025 Figures | Tourists | Residents | Students | Golden Visa Holders |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Australia Nationalsin the UAE | - | - | - | - |
UAE Citizensin Australia | - | - | - | - |
Last Updated: October 2026Source: MoFA
Main Agreements and MoUs
| Agreement / MOU | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 6 Nov 2024.Entered into force on 1 Oct 2025. |
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 6 Nov 2024.Entered into force on 1 Oct 2025. |
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement | Not Signed | - |
ASAAir Services Agreement | Signed | Signed on 8 Sep 2002. |
FTAFree Trade Agreement | Not Signed | Australia–GCC FTA negotiations were launched in Jul 2007. The last negotiation round was held in Jun 2009.Australia–GCC FTA negotiations were paused in 2009. No agreement text was finalised or signed. |
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research
UAE Foreign Assistance
| UAE Aid to Australia | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total Amount (2021–2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount (USD Mn) | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Last Updated: October 2026Source: UAEAID
Bilateral Visits
Official Visits from the UAE
- H.E. Reem bint Ebrahim Al HashimyMinister of State for International CooperationMay2026
- H.E. Sara bint Yousef Al AmiriMinister of EducationNov2024
- H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiMinister of State for Foreign TradeNov2024
- H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al NahyanDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign AffairsNov2024
- H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiMinister of State for Foreign TradeSep2024
- H.E. Reem bint Ebrahim Al HashimyMinister of State for International CooperationMay2024
- H.E. Ahmed bin Ali Al SayeghMinister of StateFeb2024
- H.E. Reem bint Ebrahim Al HashimyMinister of State for International CooperationMay2023
- H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al NahyanMinister of Foreign Affairs and International CooperationMay2018
Official Visits to the UAE
- H.E. Richard MarlesDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of AustraliaMay2026
- H.E. Don FarrellMinister of Trade and Tourism of AustraliaJan2026
- Hon. Anthony AlbanesePrime Minister of AustraliaSep2025
- Hon. Sam MostynGovernor-General of AustraliaApr2025
- H.E. Richard MarlesDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of AustraliaDec2024
- H.E. Richard MarlesDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of AustraliaApr2024
- H.E. Don FarrellMinister of Trade and Tourism of AustraliaFeb2024
- H.E. Penny WongMinister of Foreign Affairs of AustraliaJan2024
- H.E. Chris BowenMinister of Climate Change and Energy of AustraliaDec2023
- H.E. Richard MarlesDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of AustraliaNov2023
- H.E. Chris BowenMinister of Climate Change and Energy of AustraliaJan2023
- H.E. General the Hon. David HurleyGovernor-General of AustraliaMay2022
- H.E. Marise PayneMinister of Foreign Affairs of AustraliaFeb2022
- H.E. General the Hon. David HurleyGovernor-General of AustraliaJan2022
The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.
Last Updated: May 2026Source: Internal Research
Trade
Non-Oil Bilateral Trade
| USD Millions | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | % Change (2024–2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE imports from Australia | 3,630 | 3,424 | 3,333 | 4,532 | +36.0% |
| UAE exports to Australia | 518 | 464 | 517 | 866 | +67.6% |
| UAE re-exports to Australia | 387 | 343 | 360 | 414 | +14.8% |
| Total non-oil trade with Australia | 4,535 | 4,231 | 4,210 | 5,812 | +38.1% |
| CAGR (2022–2025) | 8.62% | ||||
Last Updated: October 2026Source: MoFT
Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners
36thNon-oil trade partner of the UAEout of 246
29thSource of UAE importsout of 242
36thDestination for UAE exportsout of 221
59thDestination for UAE re‑exportsout of 227
Last Updated: October 2026Source: MoFT
Key Trade Commodities
Top 5 Imports from Australia
- 1Products of the chemical or allied industries
- 2Vegetable products
- 3Mineral products
- 4Live animals and animal products
- 5Pearls, precious stones, precious metals and articles thereof
Top 5 Exports to Australia
- 1Base metals and articles thereof
- 2Plastics, rubber and articles thereof
- 3Pearls, stones, precious metals and its articles
- 4Machinery, electrical equipment and parts thereof
- 5Products of the chemical or allied industries
Top 5 Re-exports to Australia
- 1Pearls, stones, precious metals and its articles
- 2Machinery, sound recorders, reproducers and parts
- 3Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and transport equipment
- 4Optical, medical, precision and musical instruments, and parts thereof
- 5Products of the chemical or allied industries
Last Updated: October 2026Source: FCSC
Foreign Direct Investment Flows
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)617.2USD Millions
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)2,071.8USD Millions
Capex and jobs data include estimated values.
Last Updated: November 2026Source: fDi Markets
Major Companies and Investments
Major Australian Companies in the UAE
CSL LimitedBiotechnology
WorleyEngineering, energy
Macquarie GroupFinancial services
ANZ GroupBanking
Brambles - CHEP Middle EastLogistics, supply chain
CochlearMedical devices
Major UAE Companies in Australia
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
Business Support
Dubai Chambers
Business Council(s)Australian Business Council
International Office(s)Sydney, Australia
UAE-Australia Joint Business Council
Joint Business Council(s)Established in 2020, no meeting since.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Various UAE Chambers
Cooperation Opportunities
Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research