Some may wonder why the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has State Offices. The old distinctions between domestic and foreign and trade policies were never particularly clear, but as a result of the increasingly globalised world we live in, are ever more blurred. It is therefore essential that DFAT maintains strong linkages with the broader community, participating in international relations and trade, at the state and local government level, with business, with academia and with NGOs.
The Victorian State Office helps DFAT in this important task, providing a range of services in support of our Portfolio Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries, assisting the Victorian Government in its overseas endeavours, maintaining contact with the business community and assisting the general public, where needed, with consular services.
Where we can, we will be delighted to assist you and some more information on the sorts of areas which may be of interest are listed below. But first, a list of helpful sites you may wish to consult:
- Travel advice – Smartraveller website
- Visas to visit Australia – Department of Immigration and Citizenship
- Visas to travel overseas – Foreign Embassies and Consulates in Australia
- Exporting and investing – Austrade
- Passports - Passport services
- Legalising documents - Notarial services
For emergency consular assistance, please call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre: +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555135 (local call cost within Australia).
Consultations and public events
Australian Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Consul-Generals regularly undertake consultations in Victoria. The visitors and events list includes details of forthcoming visits and relevant contact officers. Please note that while all requests for appointments with visitors to the office will be considered, visit programs may already be finalised.
The Victoria State Office conducts public events and consultations on trade and foreign policy issues in metropolitan and regional Victoria. These events feature guest speakers, such as Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Consul-Generals, high profile overseas visitors and specialists from the department.
The Victoria State Office can arrange for someone from the department to address your school, business, organisation or community group on:
- foreign policy
- trade negotiations and the benefits of trade
- consular services
- careers in the department.
Email the Business Relations Officer for more information: firstname.lastname@example.org
The DFAT Victoria State Office organised a Consular Corps tour to Geelong and the surrounding region, on 8-9 May 2013. The delegation included representatives from 13 countries, including Chile, People's Republic of China, Croatia, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Lebanon, Malta, Oman, Sri Lanka and Turkey. The Hon. Kelvin Thompson, Parliamentary Secretary for Trade, hosted a dinner for the Corps with senior business, education and government leaders. The tour will help build Geelong's international engagement.
- Australia-Malaysia 2013 Cultural Exchange Program
- 30 May 2013: Trans-Pacific Partnership Consultations
More: Visitors and Events
The Victoria State Office provides protocol services to the Consular Corps. These services include processing of arrival and departure notifications, diplomatic visa renewals and issue of identity cards, airport facilitation for foreign dignitaries and liaison and representation at Corps’ functions. For more information please view the department’s Protocol Guidelines.
The department offers a range of publications designed to provide information on Australia, Australian foreign and trade policies and the economic and political climate in other countries. To browse, download or order departmental publications please visit the publications page.
Business liaison services
The Victoria State Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade plays an important role in making sure that the Australian Government is in touch with the needs of Victorian businesses.
We liaise closely with the Victorian Government and other Commonwealth agencies to deliver quality services to your business.
More: Services for business
DFAT Victoria State Office
- Phone: (03) 9221 5555
- Fax: (03) 9221 5455
- Email: email@example.com
Level 14, Casselden Place
2 Lonsdale Street (corner of Spring Street)
Melbourne VIC 3001
9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday