Ambassador's Message
Namaste and welcome to the website of the Australian Embassy in Nepal.
The year 2025 will mark the 65th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between Australia and Nepal. In 1984 Australia established a resident mission in Kathmandu, led by Chargé d’Affaires Mr Adrian Sever. Australia’s first Ambassador to Nepal, Ms Di Johnstone, was appointed in 1986 and was the first of five women (so far!) to hold his post. Other female Ambassadors have included Anne-Marie O’Keeffe (1994-1996), Susan Grace (2009-2013), Felicity Volk (2021-2024) and current Ambassador, Leann Johnston.
Since the late 1980s, the friendship between our countries has flourished through formal links such as high-level visits, our Bilateral Consultation Mechanism, an active development assistance program and trade and investment ties. Equally important are our rapidly expanding people to people links.
Around 180,000 Nepalis have made Australia their home and they are contributing to our countries’ close relations, including through growing business connections. Nepali is the third most commonly spoken language in Canberra, Hobart and Darwin (Cultural diversity of Australia | Australian Bureau of Statistics (abs.gov.au)). Most Australian state capital cities enjoy annual Nepali community or Momo festivals, organised by our highly respected Nepali community groups. In addition, Australia is delighted to be providing a world class education to around 60,000 Nepali students.
Almost 40,000 Australians visited Nepal in the past year, enjoying the tourism offerings of Nepal’s rich and ancient culture, spiritual tourism and trekking through natural environments unparalleled in their beauty. And each year, groups of Australian undergraduate students thrive on their Australia Government funded study opportunities in Nepal through the New Colombo Plan (New Colombo Plan | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au)).
Australia deeply values its friendship with Nepal, evidenced through our close partnership to support Nepal’s development priorities. In 2023, our aid program totalled $27.1 million (Nepal Development Cooperation Factsheet | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au)), providing support for Nepal’s federalism agenda, climate resilience, social inclusion, disaster preparedness and capacity building under the Australia Awards program.
Staff at the Embassy deal with a range of matters, including diplomatic relations, trade and two-way investment, development cooperation, and consular matters.
The Embassy’s role is to strengthen Australia’s position as an enduring partner and friend of Nepal. It seeks to elevate Australia’s reputation as an open and inclusive country with knowledge and expertise to share, and as an attractive place to study, live, visit and invest.
Consular staff provide services to Australians living in and travelling through Nepal, including during times of stress and emergency. Consular staff also provide electoral services, notarial services, and are responsible for issuing Australian passports.
Namaste!
Leann Johnston
Ambassador of Australia to Nepal
Call for Expressions of Interest for Direct Aid Program
NGOs and not-for-profit companies can apply for grants of up to AU$60,000 for projects that contribute to sustainable development. This year we are seeking projects that address:
- human trafficking, modern slavery and forced labour;
- climate change, especially in the agriculture sector;
- entrepreneurship and trade facilitation, particularly in agribusiness and ICT.
To be eligible, organisations must be registered with Nepal’s Social Welfare Council.
Please apply here DAP Expressions of Interest
Applications close on 17 November 2024. We look forward to seeing your expression of interest!
Passport and Notarial Services
"LOVE YOUR EYES" A Children Activity Book Remind of FHF-TIO Friendship Through Mithila Arts
June 2024
Australia’s Ambassador to Nepal, HE Felicity Volk and Dr Reeta Gurung, Chief Executive Officer from Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology (TIO) launched an important new resource to promote eye health in children.
Australian Embassy Media Release
Menopause – A Neglected Public Health Issue
June 2024
The Australian Embassy hosted a public seminar, Menopause to Meno-peak, in Kathmandu with high profile advocates including singer and philanthropist, Ani Choying Drolma, and Australian mountaineer, Allie Pepper, to raise awareness about menopause.
Australia Awards alum and Tribhuvan University’s Lecturer of Sociology, Dr Neeti Aryal Khanal, and President of the Himalayan Dialogues, Dr Sunoor Verma, joined the panel discussion which was attended by government, diplomatic, civil society, media and members of the public.
Australian Embassy Media Release
Ambassador Volk calls for greater cooperation and investment to secure heritage
May 2024
Australia’s Ambassador to Nepal HE Felicity Volk joined the National Conference on Restitution of Heritage from 26‐27 May, to urge deeper cooperation among countries, governments and communities for the restitution of stolen heritage to places of origin.
Australian Embassy Media Release
Australia and Nepal Sign Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement
February 2024
On 9 February 2024, Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator The Honourable Penny Wong and Nepali counterpart Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal, Mr Narayan Prakash Saud witnessed the signing of the Australia-Nepal Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA). The signing event occurred in the margins of the Seventh Indian Ocean Conference, held in Perth, Australia, from 9-10 February.
The Honourable Mr Tim Watts MP, Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador of Nepal to Australia, HE Kailash Raj Pokharel, signed the TIFA, which seeks to deepen economic relations and promote expanded trade between Australia and Nepal.
Australian Embassy Media Release
OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
The Australian Government encourages Australian enterprises operating overseas and multinational enterprises operating in Australia to observe the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The Guidelines provide voluntary principles and standards for responsible business conduct in a variety of areas, including:
- human rights;
- employment and industrial relations;
- environment;
- combating bribery, bribe solicitation and extortion;
- consumer interests;
- science and technology;
- competition; and
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taxation.
The Australian National Contact Point (AusNCP) promotes the use of the OECD Guidelines and contributes to the resolution of issues relating to their implementation, including facilitating access to conciliation services.
First visit by an Australian Parliamentary Delegation to Nepal
October 2023
An Australian parliamentary delegation led by the Hon Milton Dick MP, Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, will visit Nepal from 3-7 October 2023. This is the first ever Australian Parliamentary Delegation visit to Nepal in over six decades of diplomatic ties with Nepal, signalling the flourishing bilateral relationship. Other members of the delegation include Ms Libby Coker MP, Ms Joanne Ryan MP, Senator Dean Smith and Senator Ralph Babet.
Australian Embassy Media Release
अष्ट्रेलियाली संसदीय भ्रमण टोलीको पहिले नेपाल भ्रमण
अष्ट्रेलियाली संघिय संसदको तल्लो सदन प्रतिनीधी सभाका सभामुख मानिनीय श्री डीक मिल्टनको नेतृत्वमा एक संसदीय प्रतिनीधी मण्डलले यही १६ असोज देखि २० असोज सम्म नेपालको भ्रमण गर्दैछ । अष्ट्रेलिया र नेपालबिच रहिआएको दौत्य सम्बन्धको छ दशकमा अष्ट्रेलियाली संसदीय टोलीको यो पहिलो नेपाल भ्रमण हो र यस भ्रमणले हाम्रा दुई देशहरुबिचको सम्बन्ध सुदृढ हुँदै गएको देखाउँछ । यस भ्रमण टोलीमा प्रतिनीधी सभाका सांसदहरु लिब्वी कोकर र जोआन रियान र अष्ट्रेलियाली संसदको माथिल्लो सदन सिनेटका सदस्य सिनेटरहरु डीन स्मिथ र राल्फ वाबेट सहभागी छन् ।
Australian Assistant Foreign Minister Watts in Kathmandu on a two-day visit
May 2023
Australian Embassy Media Release
Australia returns 13th century Ratneshwar temple strut to the community in Patan
May 2023
Today, Australia returned a 13th century tundaal (temple strut) to the head priest of the Ratneshwar temple, Mr Heramba Raj Rajopahdyay. The handover of this important artefact was made by the Director of the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW), Dr Michael Brand, at a ceremony attended by Australia’s Assistant Foreign Minister, The Hon Tim Watts, MP, Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr Suresh Adhikari, and Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Mr Chiri Babu Maharjan.
Australian Embassy Media Release
Australian Minister hands over rescue equipment
May 2023
On Wednesday, Australia’s Assistant Foreign Minister, The Honourable Tim Watts, MP, handed over an Australian-made Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC) to the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) for use at Pheriche Aid Post and the Everest ER Clinic at Everest Base Camp.
Australian Embassy Media Release
Latest Update on COVID-19 and the border
From 6 July, the Australian Government will no longer require travellers to:
- Declare or prove their vaccination status when entering Australia.
- Passengers will no longer be required to submit a Digital Passenger Declaration or Maritime Travel Declaration
- Seek travel exemptions to enter Australia (for non-Australians).
- Travellers departing Australia will not be asked to provide evidence of their vaccination status.
It is important to remember that airlines, vessel operators and other countries may have specific requirements that travellers need to comply with.
For more information of COVID-19 requirements please click here
Smartraveller
Smartraveller has the latest, authoritative travel advice so you can be informed and prepared about overseas travel. Subscribe to receive travel advice updates - by simply supplying your name and email address – straight to your inbox.
You can now also subscribe to the new SMS service - by supplying your mobile number – to receive critical alerts in the event of a crisis overseas.
In a crisis, Smartraveller will activate a crisis page on its website. It will make it easier for you or someone you know to contact the Australian Government if you need help. It will supplement the consular emergency hotline.
Visit www.smartraveller.gov.au to subscribe or connect with Smartraveller on Facebook and Twitter.
You should also review the Travel Advice for Nepal and subscribe to automatically receive email updates each time we update our travel advice.
Information for Australian Travellers
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Australian Embassy Nepal: +977 1 437 1678
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Consular Duty Officer (24 hour): +61 2 6261 3305
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Toll Free (local call cost - within Australia only) 1300 555 135
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Other Australian Embassies, consulates and missions websites around the world
Opening hours
The Embassy is open from 8:30am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.
We are closed on some Australian and Nepali public holidays.
Embassy Public Holidays
