Warm relationship based on trade, sporting ties and international cooperation.

Key engagement

Common interests in multilateral forums, principally the UN, its organisations and the Commonwealth.

Outlook

Trade and investment opportunities exist in Jamaica for Australian businesses. Meat, wine and security equipment especially.

Bilateral relations

Australia and Jamaica established diplomatic relations in 1974

Australia is represented in Jamaica from its High Commission in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Australia also maintains an Honorary Consul in Jamaica. Jamaica's High Commissioner to Australia is resident in Tokyo, with an Honorary Consul in Sydney.

Foreign relations

Australia and Jamaica are members of the Commonwealth, World Trade Organisation (WTO), International Maritime Organization (IMO), United Nations (UN), and United Nations organisations

Jamaica is a member of the the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States and other regional organisations.

It is a member of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) grouping, which includes small island states in the Caribbean, Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Barbados will join the Commonwealth Blue Charter Coral Reef Protection and Restoration Action Group in 2020, a group Australia co-champions with Belize and Mauritius.

Foreign Policy White Paper

Fast facts

Jamaican visitors to Australia (2019 Dept of Home Affairs) #

400

Australian visitors to Jamaica (primary destination 2019 Dept of Home Affairs) #

600

Resident Australian population born in Jamaica (2016 Census)

1,021

Australian residents of Jamaican descent (2016 Census)

3,105

Jamaican students in Australia ((2019 Dept of Education)

29

# This data is owned by Home Affairs. It provides quarterly updates to this data on its website.

High level engagement

2020 June – Australia’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Jamaica's Foreign Minister, Kamina Johnson-Smith, participated (via video link) in the 2nd Female Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

2019 June – Australian Chief of Defence Force, Gen Angus Campbell, met Jamaica’s Defence Force Commander, Lt Gen Rocky Meade, in Canberra

2019 March – then Foreign Minister Julie Bishop met Jamaica's Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson-Smith at CHOGM, London

2017 September – Foreign Minister Julie Bishop met Jamaica's Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson-Smith at UNGA Leader's Week, New York.

2017 July – Foreign Minister Julie Bishop met Jamaica's Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson-Smith in Grenada.

2017 June – Australia's Ambassador for Women and Girls, Dr Sharman Stone, visited Jamaica.

Agreements with Jamaica

There are no bilateral agreements between Australia and Jamaica

Public diplomacy

Through the Direct Aid Program (DAP), the Australian Government supports community projects in Jamaica. Recent projects have focused on cervical cancer prevention and control, foot care for people with diabetes, and on-the-job training for the hearing-impaired.

Economic diplomacy

The Australian Government supports Australian investors in Jamaica by providing support and advice on political, economic and regulatory environments.

Information on our economic partnership can be found in our Jamaica trade/economic fact sheet [PDF].

Business

Austrade’s Mexico City Office aims to attract foreign direct investment from Jamaica into Australia, identifies market opportunities in Jamaica, and promotes the capabilities of Australian exporters and education providers

Austrade

Austrade offices

Australian High Commission in Trinidad and Tobago

18 Herbert Street, St Clair, Port of Spain
Trinidad and Tobago

Tel: +1 (868) 822 5450

General: ahc.portofspain@dfat.gov.au

Facebook: Australia in the Caribbean

Travel

See Smartraveller for information on travelling: smartraveller.gov.au

last updated November 2020