They acknowledge two distinct maritime boundaries conclusively delimited by the Australia–New Zealand Maritime Treaty of 2004. In 2017, a major poll showed that New Zealand was considered Australia's "best friend", a position previously held by the United States.
Today, Australia enjoys bilateral security relationships with both New Zealand and the US under ANZUS. The treaty, while not formally revoked after the US- New Zealand nuclear dispute, no longer fully exists in practice.
Varied landscapes
As well as the beautiful beaches, Australia is also home to snowy mountains, incredible national parks, rainforests and desert. The landscape truly differs from state to state, which is why this country is so fun to explore.
Australia has plentiful supplies of natural resources, including the second largest accessible reserves of iron ore in the world, the fifth largest reserves of coal and significant gas resources.
The Australia–Japan partnership is Australia's closest and most mature in Asia and is fundamental to both countries' strategic and economic interests. The relationship is underpinned by a shared commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law, as well as common approaches to international security.
Japan has been Australia's closest and most consistent partner in Asia since the 1980s. Each country views the bilateral trade, investment and diplomatic relationship as vital to its national interest and both countries also appreciate their important role in Asia and have a shared desire to see it prosper.
The Australia-China bilateral relationship is based on strong economic and trade complementarities and longstanding community and cultural links. In 2014, the Australian Prime Minister and Chinese President agreed to describe the relationship as a "comprehensive strategic partnership".
Today, Japan is Australia's closest partner in Asia, and Japan describes Australia as its most important security partner after the US, a common ally of both countries. The Ninth Japan- Australia 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations were held in June 2021.
As well as being the friendliest country, Australia is also home to world's friendliest city.
Since that time, United States has been the most important security ally. The close security relationship with the United States was formalized in 1951 by the Australia, New Zealand, United States Security (ANZUS) Treaty which remains the cornerstone of Australian security arrangements.
Australians are very friendly and easy-going people. In fact, Australians are renowned for their laid-back nature and unique sense of humour. Another thing Australians are known for is their love of sport, recreation and the great outdoors.
Overview – bilateral relations
Australia has a long-standing bilateral relationship with Iran. We have maintained an uninterrupted diplomatic presence in Iran since our Embassy opened in Tehran in 1968. Iran has maintained a diplomatic presence in Australia since opening its Embassy in Canberra in 1971.
Australia and the Republic of Korea (ROK, also known as South Korea) are comprehensive strategic partners with a strong bilateral relationship underpinned by trade, shared regional strategic interests, and strong people-to-people links.
Shared membership of important global and regional multilateral forums including the G20, APEC and the EAS. Australia has a mature relationship with Russia that allows us to confront our differences directly when necessary but work constructively where our interests intersect.
Australia is China's seventh largest trading partner. Forty years ago, two-way trade was less than $100 million. Now it is more than $100 billion. Cooperation on climate change issues is an important part of the bilateral relationship.
Australia does not possess any nuclear weapons and is not seeking to become a nuclear weapon state. Australia's core obligations as a non-nuclear-weapon state are set out in the NPT.
Lismore and Yamatotakada city share Australia and Japan's oldest sister city relationship, having signed the Sister City Agreement in 1963.
1957: Prime Minister Kishi Nobusuke said to the people of Australia: "It is my official duty, and my personal desire, to express to you and through you to the people of Australia, our heartfelt sorrow for what occurred in the war."
Between February 1942 and November 1943, during the Pacific War of World War II, the Australian mainland, domestic airspace, offshore islands, and coastal shipping were attacked at least 111 times by aircraft from the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Force and Imperial Japanese Army Air Force.
Few ethnic groups are as concentrated in one state as Koreans are in New South Wales, where 33% of Australia's population live.
Australia and Italy are two highly developed and complementary G20 economies with robust international engagement and enduring people-to-people ties. Australia and Italy established diplomatic relations in 1959.