Key engagement

Australia and Romania have shared interests in international peace and security, multilateralism, security challenges, democratic values and strong people-to-people links.

Bilateral relations

Australia and Romania established diplomatic relations in 1968.

The relationship between Australia and Romania is built on community ties and a like-minded approach to a range of global issues, including international security, cyber, disarmament and non-proliferation. Australia and Romania are both committed to international peace and security, including through our respective contributions to UN peacekeeping missions. Romania has represented Australia's consular interests in Syria since 2013.

Our people-to-people ties are reinforced by the 15,268 people born in Romania in Australia and 28,103 Australian residents of Romanian descent, as of the 2021 Australian census.

Foreign policy

Romania's foreign policy is predominantly focused on relations with its neighbours and within the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Romania last held the EU presidency in the first half of 2019. Romania entered the Schengen zone in January 2025. It is a candidate country to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Romania takes an active role in multilateral institutions. It is committed to non-proliferation and responsible export controls for conventional arms and dual-use goods, through membership of the Australia Group and other Non-Proliferation groupings such as the Wassenaar Agreement, the Zangger Committee, and the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Romania joined the World Trade Organization in 1995.

Romania has provided multifaceted assistance to Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February 2022.  It continues to be a major corridor for Ukrainian grain and a critical link in the global food security chain. It shares a close relationship with the Republic of Moldova and is supporting its EU accession. 

Fast facts

Romanian visitors to Australia (year ending 2024)

2,660

Australian resident returns from Romania (2024)

3,030

Resident Australian population born in Romania (2021 census)

15,268

Australian residents of Romanian descent (2021 census)

28,103

High level engagement

• October 2025: The Hon Milton Dick MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives, led a parliamentary delegation to Romania, meeting among others: H.E. Mr Nicușor Dan, President of Romania; H.E. Ilie Bolojan, Prime Minister of Romania; H.E. Mr Mircea Abrudean, President of the Romanian Senate; H.E. Mr Sorin-Mihai Grindeanu, President of the Chamber of Deputies.
• June 2023: Deputy Foreign Minister, Traian Hristea, visited Australia. He met Assistant Minister to Foreign Affairs, The Hon Tim Watts MP, and a number of Members of Parliament – including members of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade.
• October 2018: An Australian Parliamentary Delegation led by then Senator the Hon Ian Macdonald visited Romania and met with then Prime Minister HE Viorica Dăncilă and then Foreign Minister HE Teodor‑Viorel Meleşcanu.
• March 2013: Then State Secretary for Global Affairs, Ovidiu Dranga, visited Australia and met with then Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Richard Marles MP.

Agreements with Romania

• 2012: Air Services Agreement
• 2001: Double Taxation Agreement
• 1997: Trade and Economic Agreement
• 1994: Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement

Political overview

The Romanian Parliament comprises two chambers: the Chamber of Deputies (330 seats); and the Senate (136 seats). Members of parliament serve four-year terms. The President appoints the prime minister based on parliamentary elections. The constitution gives parliament a central place in the system of state authorities. It has power in exceptional circumstances to dismiss or suspend the president.

Under Romania's presidential political system, an executive president is elected directly for a maximum of two five-year terms and is the head of state. While in office, the president must renounce all party positions and affiliations. The president is the commander of the armed forces, represents the state in foreign relations and may take part in government meetings to discuss issues of national interest.

Public diplomacy

The Australian Embassy in Athens raises awareness of Australia's culture and values in Romania, advocates global trade liberalisation, and promotes Australia as a contemporary, creative, successful, diverse and tolerant nation, and an innovative and attractive trade and investment partner.

The Australian Embassy in Athens is responsible for Romania

Australia has a Consulate in Bucharest, headed by an Honorary Consul.

• Facebook: Australia in Greece
• Twitter: @AusAmbAthens

Economic diplomacy

In 2024, Australia's two-way goods and services trade with Romania was valued at AUD454 million, dominated by goods and services exports from Romania to Australia, valued at AUD422 million. Australian goods and services exports to Romania for the same period were valued at AUD31.9 million.

Major Australian goods imported from Romania included ‘other services’; household-type equipment, telecommunication equipment and parts, and mechanical handling equipment and parts.

Major Australian goods exports to Romania included recreational travel, education-related travel, business-related travel and rubber articles. 

Since 2020, Macquarie has been active in Romania's energy sector having acquired the assets of the CEZ Group. It has since divested the renewable energy generation assets while retaining ownership of the distribution network.

Australia's Antarctic research icebreaker, the RSV Nuyina, was built in Romania.

More economic and trade information [PDF]

Australia continues to seek opportunities to promote Australian business and raise awareness of potential benefits of increased trade between Australia and Romania. 

More information about the Australia-EU FTA

Business

Australia's trade and investment priorities include attracting Romanian investment to Australia, including in Australia's IT and new technologies sectors.

The construction in Romania of Australia's icebreaker RSV Nuyina (completed in 2021) exemplifies the potential for further business engagement. Romania's energy, mining, IT, agriculture, manufacturing and services sectors present opportunities for Australian businesses.

Austrade's Prague Office is responsible for Romania, and assesses potential trade and investment opportunities in Romania.

Travel

Smartraveller information on travelling to Romania