Australian diplomatic representation in the United Kingdom
Australian High Commission in London
Find current contact details, opening hours, location, passport and consular services, appointments and visitor information for the Australian High Commission in London.
Contact information
Contact the Australian High Commission in London
Use the current official details below to contact the Australian High Commission in the United Kingdom.
Before visiting: passport and in-person notarial services require an appointment. Do not attend Australia House for these services without checking the current arrangements first.
Location
Where is the Australian High Commission in London?
The Australian High Commission is located at Australia House on the Strand, at the corner of Strand and Aldwych in central London.
Public transport: Temple is the nearest London Underground station. Passport and notarial clients should allow additional time for security screening before their appointment.
About the mission
About the Australian High Commission in the United Kingdom
The Australian High Commission in London is Australia’s diplomatic mission to the United Kingdom.
Australia House has served as the home of Australia’s representation in the United Kingdom for more than a century. It was officially opened in 1918 and is the oldest continuously occupied diplomatic building in London.
The High Commission supports the extensive relationship between Australia and the United Kingdom across diplomacy, defence and security, trade and investment, culture, education and people-to-people links.
Australia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom is The Hon Jay Weatherill AO.
Services for Australians
Consular services
The Australian High Commission in London provides consular assistance, Australian passport services and eligible notarial services.
Consular assistance
Australians living in or visiting the United Kingdom can contact the High Commission for consular assistance in situations including serious illness or injury, arrest or detention, deaths and major emergencies.
Australian passports
The Australian Passport Office in London processes passport applications for Australians in the United Kingdom. Eligible adult and child renewals can be submitted by post, while other applications require an in-person appointment.
Notarial services
The High Commission provides eligible Australian notarial services including Apostilles, Authentications, certified copies, Certificates of No Impediment to Marriage, signature witnessing, affidavits, oaths and affirmations.
Visa and citizenship matters: Australian visa, immigration and citizenship matters are administered by the Australian Department of Home Affairs. The High Commission’s consular and passport sections cannot advise on individual visa or citizenship applications.
Visitor arrangements
Appointments at the Australian High Commission in London
An appointment is required for any Australian passport application that must be lodged in person. Applicants without an appointment will not be seen.
Applicants should arrive approximately ten minutes before their scheduled passport appointment to allow time for security screening.
In-person notarial services also require an appointment. Demand for these services can be high, so check current availability before making travel arrangements to London.
Current notarial demand: the High Commission has advised that in-person notarial appointments are currently fully booked until December 2026. Cancellations may become available, and clients should also check whether their service can be completed by mail.
Diplomatic responsibility
Australian representation in the United Kingdom
The Australian High Commission in London is Australia’s diplomatic mission to the United Kingdom and provides consular services to Australian citizens living or travelling in the UK.
The High Commission is also Australia’s principal passport office in the United Kingdom.
Edinburgh: the former Australian Passport Office in Edinburgh ceased operation in 2014. Australian passport services in the United Kingdom are now managed through the Australian High Commission in London.
Planning your visit
Before visiting Australia House
Check whether your application can be submitted by post before travelling to London and prepare all required original documents for any in-person appointment.
Check postal eligibility
Eligible adult passport renewals can be lodged by post. Eligible renewal applications for children aged 15 or younger who have previously held an Australian passport can also be submitted by post.
Attend when required
First adult passports, replacement passports and other applications that do not qualify for postal renewal must be lodged in person. Applicants aged 16 or 17 must attend their passport appointment.
Bring original documents
Documents presented at a passport interview must be originals. The Passport Office does not accept photocopies, including copies certified by a Notary Public or Justice of the Peace.
Passport processing: allow at least six weeks from lodging your application to receiving an ordinary Australian passport. There is no priority or fast-track service for ordinary passport applications lodged in the United Kingdom.
Postal passport applications: eligible postal applications should be sent using a tracked Royal Mail service. Current instructions specifically advise applicants not to use a courier.
Urgent travel: an Emergency Passport may be available when urgent travel is required and there is not enough time to receive an ordinary passport. The London Passport Office advises that an eligible Emergency Passport can be issued within two business days after the application is submitted.
Notarial services by mail: Apostilles, Authentications and certified copies are currently required to be submitted by mail. Services requiring the witnessing of a signature or certain identity-related acts may require personal attendance.
Security screening: airport-style security screening operates at the High Commission. Avoid bringing large bags or unnecessary items. Public toilets and baby-changing facilities are not available inside the High Commission.
Frequently asked questions
Australian High Commission in London
Does Australia have a High Commission in the United Kingdom?
Yes. The Australian High Commission is located at Australia House on the Strand in central London.
Where is the Australian High Commission in London?
The High Commission is located at Australia House, Strand, London WC2B 4LA, United Kingdom.
How can I contact the Australian High Commission?
Call the main switchboard on +44 20 7379 4334. Australians requiring consular assistance can call +44 20 7887 5776.
What are the High Commission’s opening hours?
The High Commission’s general office hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday, excluding UK bank holidays and designated Australian national holidays.
Who is the Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom?
The Hon Jay Weatherill AO is Australia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
Does the High Commission provide Australian passport services?
Yes. The Australian Passport Office at the High Commission processes Australian passport applications in the United Kingdom.
Can I renew my Australian passport by post in the UK?
Eligible adult renewal applications can be submitted by post. Eligible child renewals for children aged 15 or younger who have previously held an Australian passport can also be lodged by post.
Who must attend a passport appointment in London?
Applications that do not qualify for postal renewal must generally be lodged in person by appointment. Applicants aged 16 or 17 must attend their appointment personally.
How long does an Australian passport take in the UK?
Allow at least six weeks from lodging your application to receiving an ordinary passport. There is no priority or fast-track service for ordinary passport applications lodged in the United Kingdom.
Can I get an emergency Australian passport in London?
An Emergency Passport may be available for eligible urgent travel. The London Passport Office advises that an Emergency Passport can be issued within two business days after the application is submitted.
Do I need an appointment for passport services?
Yes, if your passport application requires personal lodgement. Applicants will not be seen without an appointment.
Does the High Commission provide notarial services?
Yes. Services include eligible Apostilles, Authentications, certified copies, Certificates of No Impediment to Marriage, signature witnessing, affidavits, oaths and affirmations.
Can I obtain an Apostille at an in-person appointment?
Current High Commission instructions require Apostille, Authentication and certified-copy requests to be submitted by mail.
Are notarial appointments available?
In-person notarial services normally require an appointment. The High Commission has advised that appointments are currently fully booked until December 2026, although cancellations may become available.
Is there an Australian Passport Office in Edinburgh?
No. The former Edinburgh Passport Office ceased operation in April 2014. Australian passport services in the United Kingdom are managed through the Passport Office at the Australian High Commission in London.
Does the High Commission process Australian visas?
Australian visa, immigration and citizenship matters are administered by the Australian Department of Home Affairs. The High Commission’s consular and passport sections cannot provide advice on individual visa applications.
What should I do in a consular emergency?
During UK business hours, call the Consular Section on +44 20 7887 5776. For urgent assistance outside business hours, call Australia’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305. A UK free-call number, 0808 589 0165, is also published for emergency assistance.