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
Australia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) established diplomatic relations in 1975. The relationship is warm and multi-faceted, underpinned by extensive trade ties, with the UAE remaining Australia’s largest Middle East trade and investment partner. Cooperation spans defence, aviation security, and law enforcement, supported by agreements on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and extradition. The defence relationship is strong and enduring, with the UAE having facilitated generous support to Australian evacuations from Afghanistan.
High-level visits have reinforced the strength of the relationship. In April 2025, Governor-General HE the Hon Sam Mostyn AC visited the UAE, and met HH President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as well as HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi, ‘the Mother of the Nation.’ In September 2025, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited to mark the entry-into-force of the Australia-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement. He met President HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the leaders jointly announced the elevation of bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership, reflecting shared values and a commitment to deepening cooperation across trade, education, climate action, and regional security. The announcement coincided with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and the UAE.
In 2024, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP; Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong; Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell; and Assistant Foreign Minister, the Hon Tim Watts MP, all visited the UAE. These visits underscored Australia’s commitment to deepening engagement with the UAE and the broader Gulf region.
On 17 September 2024, Minister Don Farrell, announced the conclusion of negotiations on the Australia–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The agreement eliminated tariffs on over 99 per cent of Australian exports to the UAE and 100 per cent of UAE exports to Australia, delivering on the Australian Government’s commitment to open new opportunities for trade diversification. CEPA is Australia’s first-ever Free Trade Agreement to include a chapter on First Nations trade and investment, encouraging cooperation between our two countries. More information on CEPA can be found on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s website.
People-to-people links remain central to the relationship. Around 25,000 Australians live and work in the UAE, contributing to sectors such as education, finance, construction, and hospitality. More than 300 Australian companies operate in the country. Emirates and Etihad Airlines operate dozens of flights to Australia every week, underscoring the long-term importance of the Australian market.
Australia’s diplomatic presence in the UAE comprises the Australian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and a Consulate-General in Dubai. State government offices representing New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria, and South Australia are also based in the UAE, supporting trade and investment initiatives across the country
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 - 2026
- New Year's Day - Thursday, 1 January
- Australia Day Monday - 26 January
- Eid Al-Fitr - Friday, 20 March
- Additional Eid Al-Fitr Holiday - Monday 23 March
- Good Friday - Friday 3 April
- Easter Monday - Monday 6 April
- Eid Al-Adha - Wednesday 27 May
- Eid Al-Adha - Thursday 28 May
- Eid Al-Adha - Friday 29 May
- Labour Day - Monday 5 October
- UAE National Day - Wednesday 2 December
- Christmas Day - Friday 25 December
- Boxing Day (in lieu) - Monday 28 December
- Additional Public Holiday - Tuesday 29 December
