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The Embassy of Australia in London |
Contact
Address
Australia House, Strand, London, WC2B 4LA
Phone Number
020 7379 4334
Website
www.uk.embassy.gov.au
The Ambassador
H.E. The Hon. Jay Weatherill
H.E. The Hon. Jay Weatherill is an eminent Australian statesman with a distinguished career rooted in executive governance, economic modernization, and strategic advocacy. He assumed his high-level diplomatic duties at Australia House in January 2026, bringing an elite portfolio of political and industrial leadership.
Before his ambassadorial deployment to the Court of St James's, Mr. Weatherill served a celebrated 16-year tenure in the South Australian Parliament, most notably serving as the 45th Premier of South Australia for over six years (2011–2018). Throughout his political career, he held several key ministerial portfolios, including Treasury, State Development, Education, and the Environment. Following his time in office, he served as the Executive Director of Democracy and Engagement at the McKinnon Foundation. Highly recognized for pioneering national debates on sovereign defense capabilities, renewable energy targets, and environmental preservation, his appointment to London is a highly strategic choice designed to elevate Australia's priority defense and economic partnerships in Europe.
History
The Australian High Commission in London holds the unique distinction of being Australia's oldest diplomatic mission, established following the passage of the High Commissioner Act in 1909. Its iconic home, Australia House on the Strand, is a historic landmark whose foundation stone was laid by King George V in 1913.
The High Commission operates as the vital nexus for executing the complex, multi-tiered geopolitical alliance between Canberra and London. Historically, the mission's core mandate focuses extensively on navigating international security, advanced technological sharing, and reciprocal trade architectures. Under High Commissioner Weatherill's contemporary leadership, a primary pillar of the mission is driving the implementation of the historic AUKUS trilateral security partnership, specifically focusing on the delivery and integration of nuclear-powered submarine capabilities amid evolving global security dynamics. Additionally, the mission heavily manages the landmark UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement (AFTA), promotes deep transcontinental cooperation in clean energy innovation, and oversees extensive consular operations for the massive Australian diaspora and student network residing across the United Kingdom.
