The Australian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate-General in Dubai advance Australia's foreign policy, security, international development, trade, investment and business interests in the UAE and foster a strong partnership between the governments and people of Australia and the UAE.
A broad range of Australian Government departments are represented, reflecting the strength and diversity of our bilateral relationship. They include the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of Defence, the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
The Embassy and Consulate promote Australian culture and offer passport and consular services to Australian citizens living in or visiting the UAE. The Embassy in Abu Dhabi provides consular services to Australians in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the Consulate in Dubai to those in the northern Emirates.
Bilateral relations between Australia and the United Arab Emirates
Bilateral relations between Australia and the UAE are warm, multi-faceted and growing rapidly. They are underpinned by extensive trade relations, and the UAE is Australia’s largest Middle East trade and investment partner. We enjoy good defence, aviation security and law enforcement cooperation, the latter underpinned by agreements on mutual legal assistance in criminal law matters and extradition. Our defence relationship with the UAE is strong and enduring. The UAE provided generous support to Australian evacuations from Afghanistan.
On 17 September 2024 Minister for Trade and Tourism Senator the Hon. Don Farrell announced negotiations on the Australia – UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement had concluded. More information on the CEPA can be found in the Media Release and on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s website.
The bilateral relationship is underpinned by enduring people-to-people links. Over 300 Australian companies are operating in the country. Numbers of Australians in the UAE have dropped in recent years, coinciding with reduced flights throughout the pandemic. Emirates and Etihad Airlines continued to operate services to Australia during the pandemic, owing to their view of the long-term importance of the Australian market.
The Australian Ambassador to the UAE is based at the Australian Embassy in Abu Dhabi. Australia also has a Consulate-General/Trade Commissioner in Dubai. State government offices representing New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria and South Australia are also based in the UAE.
Mr Ridwaan Jadwat
Australian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and Special Envoy to the OIC
Mr Jadwat is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). He was most recently the First Assistant Secretary, Middle East and Africa Division, and has held the role of Australia’s Special Envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation since December 2018.
Mr Jadwat was Australia’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Yemen from June 2018 until December 2020. Mr Jadwat has also served at Australian missions in Tehran (Deputy Head of Mission) and Kuala Lumpur (Counsellor).
Prior to his appointment as the head of the Middle East and Africa Division in March 2023, Mr Jadwat was the Head of the Southeast Asia Division and the Southeast Asia Maritime Division in the Office of Southeast Asia.
Mr Jadwat was seconded to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet from 2015-2018 and served as Assistant Secretary, South and South-East Asia, Americas and the Middle East, International Division, and as the Head of Policy in the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit Taskforce.
Mr Jadwat holds a Bachelor of Economics (Social Sciences) and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Sydney, and a Graduate Diploma in Foreign Affairs and Trade from Monash University.
Public Holidays Closure - 2024
- Monday 01 January - New Year's Day
- Friday 26 January - Australia Day
- Friday 29 March - Good Friday
- Monday 01 April - Easter Monday
- Wednesday 10 April - Eid Al-Fitr
- Thursday 11 April - Eid Al-Fitr
- Monday 17 June - Eid Al Adha
- Tuesday 18 June - Eid Al Adha
- Wednesday 19 June - Eid Al Adha
- Monday 08 July - Islamic New Year (in lieu)
- Monday 02 December - UAE National Day (in lieu)
- Wednesday 25 December - Christmas Day
- Thursday 26 December - Boxing Day
- Friday 27 December - Additional Holiday
Public Holidays Closure - 2025
- Wednesday 01 January - New Year's Day
- Monday 27 January - Australia Day
- Monday 31 March - Eid Al-Fitr
- Tuesday 1 April - Eid Al-Fitr
- Wednesday 2 April - Eid Al Fitr
- Friday 18 April - Good Friday
- Monday 21 April - Easter Monday
- Monday 09 June - Eid Al Adha
- Tuesday 10 June - Eid Al Adha
- Friday 27 June - Islamic New Year (in lieu)
- Monday 02 December - UAE National Day (in lieu)
- Thursday 25 December - Christmas Day
- Friday 26 December - Boxing Day
- Monday 29 December - Additional Holiday
