Greek-Australian relations are characterized as cordial due to historical and diaspora ties. The success – over the course of decades – of the Greek-Australian community has helped to shape, maintain and further strengthen Australia’s relations with Greece.
The Greek Diaspora in Australia is an integral part of the Australian society. Across Australia there are numerous Greek communities, local Greek associations as well as Federations of Associations. The Greek-Australians of second generation are mainly gathered in the States of Victoria and of New South Wales. Melbourne and Thessaloniki are sister-cities since 1984.
Australia and Greece share strong historical bonds fighting side by side during WWI and WWII, especially in the Battle of Crete. During WWI, the island of Limnos has been the base as well as the medical facility for approximately 50,000 Australian soldiers and nurses who took part in the Gallipoli campaign.
In May 1941, during the Battle of Crete, Australian soldiers were fighting side by side with Greek, New Zealander and British soldiers against the Nazi invasion. Every year commemorative events for the anniversary of the Battle of Crete take place in various Australian cities as well as in Greece.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, with headquarters in Sydney, plays a major role and produces extensive philanthropic and educational work.
The very good level of the bilateral relations is reflected in the frequent exchange of high-level visits, in the extensive institutional framework for bilateral cooperation and in the excellent cooperation in international fora.
Bilateral Relations
Australia
Greece has embassy-level diplomatic relations with Australia. Greece also has Consulates General in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, as well as a Consulate in Perth, Honorary Consulates General in Brisbane and Darwin, and Honorary Consulates in Newcastle and Hobart. Australia maintains an Embassy in Athens and an Honorary Consulate in Thessaloniki.
Bilateral Relations
For information on bilateral economic relations, such as country business guide, country report, useful contacts and other trade updates, click link below:
http://agora.mfa.gr/ta-grafeia-oikonomikon-emporikon-upotheseon/grafeia-ana-xora/office/816
The Greece-Australia educational relations are based on a bilateral Agreement on Education (1979). Respective MOU’s for the implementation of the educational cooperation have been signed with relevant States. Seven Chairs of Modern Greek Language and Culture Studies are operational in Australian universities (Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, Hobart, Perth).
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, which has its seat in Sydney, plays a significant role and has undertaken remarkable philanthropic and educational initiatives.
Click here for information regarding the visa requirements for Greek citizens who want to travel to Australia.
Click here for information regarding visa requirements for citizens of Australia who want to travel to Greece.
Contact details for Greek Missions
Canberra
Embassy
Head of Mission : Stavros Venizelos, Minister Plenipotentiary First Class
Canberra
Consular Office
Head: Christoforos Kallinakis
Adelaide
Consulate General in Adelaide
General Consul : Alexandra Theodoropoulou, First Counsellor of Embassy
Melbourne
Consulate General in Melbourne
Consul General : Emmanuel Kakavelakis, First Counsellor of Embassy
Sydney
Consulate General in Sydney
General Consul : Ioannis Mallikourtis, First Counsellor of Embassy
Sydney
Office for Economic and Commercial Affairs
Head: Chryssoula Prokopaki, Third Secretary for Economic and Commercial Affairs
Sydney
Public Diplomacy Office
Head: Athanassios Lambrou, First Counsellor for Public Diplomacy
Perth
Consulate in Perth
Consul : Eleni Georgopoulou, First Counsellor of Embassy
Brisbane
Honorary Consulate General in Brisbane
Postal Address: G.P.O. Box 138, Brisbane QLD 4001, Australia
Honorary Consul : Georgios Mastrokostas
Darwin
Honorary Consulate General of Darwin
Postal address: GPO Box 48, Darwin N.T. 0801, Australia
Honorary General Consul: Ioannis Anihtomatis
Newcastle
Honorary Consulate in Newcastle
P.O. Box 495, East Maitland (Newcastle), Newcastle N.S.W. 2323, Australia
Honorary Consul: Zisis Antoniadis