Bilateral relationship
Australia and Italy first established diplomatic relations in 1949 and are highly-developed, complementary G20 economies with robust international engagement across shared strategic, economic, and cultural interests. The relationship is underpinned by close and enduring people-to-people links, particularly shaped by the post-World War II migration wave. The Italian community has made a profound contribution to Australian society, enriching its culture, lifestyle, and identity; especially in food, art, design, sport, and architecture.
According to the 2024 Census, over one million Australians identify as being of Italian descent, with more than 156,070 residents born in Italy. These deep connections continue to foster collaboration across government, business, academia, and civil society.
Australia and Italy cooperate closely in multilateral forums, including the United Nations and G20, and share a commitment to upholding the rules-based international order. Australia and Italy collaborate in areas such as counter-terrorism, science and technology, climate action, and cultural exchange.
Both countries are partners in the Square Kilometre Array project—an international effort to build the world’s largest radio telescope, with sites in Australia and South Africa. The Australian Space Agency maintains a strong partnership with the Italian Space Agency (ASI), with growing prospects for joint space missions and satellite technology development.
Foreign policy
Italy’s foreign policy is centred on a strong European Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), and multilateralism more broadly. Italy was one of the six founding members of the European Economic Community (EEC), signed in Rome in 1957. This later became the European Union with the signing of the Treaty of Maastricht in 1992. Italy joined the European Monetary Union in 1999, with the Euro becoming common legal tender in Italy in 2002.
Italy joined NATO in 1949 as one of its founding members. It has contributed to NATO led missions including in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo. One of NATO’s three Joint Force Commands is located in Naples, while Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily provides logistical support to Italian, US, and other NATO member forces. The NATO Defence College, the international military college for NATO members, is based in Rome.
Italy joined the UN in 1955. To date, it has served seven times as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, most recently in 2017. UN agencies based in Rome are the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and the World Food Programme.
Italy was one of several countries that signed the convention founding the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 1960.
Fast facts
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Italian visitors to Australia (2024)
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65,950
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Australian resident returns from Italy (2022)
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126,720
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Resident Australian population born in Italy (2024 census)
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156,070
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Australian residents of Italian descent (2021 census)
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1,108,364
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Italian working holidaymakers (2024)
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13,745
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Italian students in Australia (2025)
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2,966
High level engagement
- July 2025 – Assistant Foreign Minister of Italy (Undersecretary) Giorgio Silli visited Australia and met with Minister for Small Business, International Development and Multicultural Affairs The Hon Dr Anne Aly, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Foreign Affairs and Trade The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite, and Assistant Minister for Tourism, Pacific Island Affairs and Northern Australia Senator The Hon Nita Green.
- October 2024 – Trade and Tourism Minister Farrell met with Italian Vice Minister for Enterprises and Made in Italy Valentino Valentini.
- November 2023 – Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Watts and Assistant Minister for Trade and Manufacturing Ayres both met with Italian Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Assistant Foreign Minister) Giorgio Silli during his visit to Australia.
- May 2023 – Prime Minister Albanese met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima.
- January 2023 – Assistant Minister for Trade Ayres visited Rome.
- November 2022 – Prime Minister Albanese met with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Bali.
- June 2022 – Prime Minister Albanese met with then Prime Minister Mario Draghi at the NATO Summit in Madrid.
- May 2022 – Prime Minister Albanese had a phone call with then Prime Minister Mario Draghi shortly after the Australian elections.
Agreements with Italy
Australia has numerous bilateral agreements with Italy, including on social security, double taxation, trade and cooperation.
Texts of bilateral agreements are available at the Australian Treaties Database.
Trade and investment
In 2024, Australia’s goods and services trade with Italy was valued at $12.37 billion (up from $9 billion in 2021), with the balance of trade strongly in Italy’s favour. Australia’s principal exports to Italy that year were recreational travel, uncoated flat-rolled iron & steel, education-related travel, wool & other animal hair, and coal. Major imports from Italy comprised recreational travel, medicaments (incl veterinary), mechanical handling equipment & parts, travel goods, bags & like containers, and jewellery. In 2024, total stock of investment between Italy and Australia was valued at $19.8 billion (Australian stock of investment in Italy totalled $12.9 billion).
Australian companies active in Italy include Lendlease, which is developing the Milan Innovation District, and Macquarie, with stakes in Autostrade per l’Italia and Open Fiber. Italian investment in Australia spans infrastructure (Webuild, Ghella), defence (Leonardo), energy (Eni, Enel), and food (PreGel, Ferrero). Collaboration is growing in areas like sustainability and advanced manufacturing, especially between Victoria and Lombardy. The Italian Trade Agency lists over 60 Italian firms with a stable presence in Australia as of 2025.
More economic and trade information. [PDF 289 KB]
Australia continues to seek opportunities to promote Australian business and raise awareness of potential benefits of increased trade between Australia and Europe, including Italy.
Opportunities for Australian businesses in Italy include renewable energy; agribusiness and food; advanced manufacturing; digital technologies; international health; international education; and infrastructure and rail.
See Austrade’s office in Milan for more information on doing business in Italy.
Public diplomacy
The Australian Embassy in Rome manages a public diplomacy program that encompasses art, culture, sport, science and technology. It is focussed on supporting Australian excellence in areas such as film, theatre, art, music, science, space, literature, and sport.
The Embassy is also committed to incorporating the perspectives and views of First Nations Australians into all aspects of its public diplomacy work.
Australian Embassy in Rome
Via Antonio Bosio, 5
00161, Rome
Ph: +39 06 8527 21
Email: info-rome@dfat.gov.au
Travel
See Smartraveller for information on travelling to Italy.