Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Name

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Legal name

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Website

https://dfat.gov.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Foreign Affairs and Trade Services

NAICS

International Affairs (92812), National Security and International Affairs (928), International Affairs (928120), Public Administration (92)

SIC

International Affairs (9721), Foreign Governments (8888), Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111)

akta.pro primary industry

Country Development Assistance Programs (Bilateral ODA) (BPADABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK), Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) & Official Export Finance (FSABAKAC)

Keywords

• Diplomatic services
• Consular assistance
• Trade promotion
• Development assistance
• Sanctions administration

Headquarters

HQ city

Australian Capital Territory

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government appropriations and official development assistance (ODA) funding: DFAT is funded through Australian Government appropriations. The 2026-27 ODA budget is $5.209 billion. Revenue is not generated commercially but allocated through parliamentary appropriations to support foreign affairs, trade promotion, and development objectives.

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

DFAT is the Australian Government department responsible for conducting Australia's foreign affairs, trade policy, and international development assistance. It delivers consular services and travel advisories to Australian citizens overseas, negotiates and implements free trade agreements (FTAs), manages the official development assistance (ODA) program, administers sanctions and non-proliferation regimes, issues passports, and represents Australia in multilateral forums. Services are delivered through a global network of 100+ diplomatic posts, domestic state and territory offices, and digital platforms including Smartraveller, the FTA Portal, AusDevPortal, and the Pax sanctions system.

Product overview

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is a government department, not a commercial technology company. Its digital services consist of government service portals and information systems including: Smartraveller (travel advisories and emergency information), the DFAT FTA Portal (free trade agreement tariff lookup tool), AusDevPortal (development project database), Pax (sanctions permit system), Australia Awards and New Colombo Plan (scholarship programs), consular services, passport services, and the Crisis Hub for international emergency information. These services operate as independent government portals rather than an integrated product platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Smartraveller: Official Australian Government travel advisory service providing travel advice and consular assistance information
• Australian Passport Office
• AusDevPortal
• FTA Portal
• Diplomatic Academy
• Australia Awards
• New Colombo Plan
• Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme
• Australian Sanctions Office (ASO)

Products and services

• Smartraveller

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 73% of Australia's total trade in goods and services is with APEC partners, totalling almost AUD $1 trillion ($933.2 billion) in 2024-25.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

35 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021ASEAN is central to Australia's foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific. Australia became ASEAN's first Dialogue Partner in 1974 and elevated the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in October 2021. The 5th anniversary of the CSP is celebrated in 2026. Key initiatives include the Aus4ASEAN Futures Initiative ($204 million, 2022-2032), the ASEAN-Australia Centre, and the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit held in Melbourne in March 2024 to mark the 50th anniversary of dialogue relations.
• The Quad (Australia, India, Japan, United States)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Quad is a diplomatic partnership focused on a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Quad countries cooperate on maritime security, economic prosperity, critical and emerging technologies, and humanitarian assistance. Key initiatives include the Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre, Quad Infrastructure Fellowship Program, Quad Health Security Partnership, Quad Clean Energy Supply Chain Diversification Program, and the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness. Foreign Ministers meet annually, with Leaders' Summits held regularly.
• APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPEC is a forum of 21 Asia-Pacific economies. Australia is a founding member since 1989. APEC economies account for over 73% of Australia's total trade in goods and services (almost AUD $1 trillion in 2024-25). APEC is guided by the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040. Australia hosts its APEC Support Program providing technical cooperation to ODA-eligible developing economies.
• United Nations (UN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralia participates in the UN system through permanent missions in New York and Geneva. Australia joined the UN Peacebuilding Commission for a two-year term in 2025, contributes over $165 million AUD annually to the UN Peacekeeping budget, and is a top-10 donor to the UN Secretary-General's Peacebuilding Fund ($15 million AUD per year). Australia is a leading advocate for the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) principle.
• The Commonwealth of NationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralia is an active member of the Commonwealth of Nations, participating in Commonwealth Foreign Affairs ministerial meetings and leveraging the Commonwealth network for diplomatic engagement and development cooperation.
• G20coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralia participates in the G20 as a member economy, engaging on global economic governance, trade, investment, and development policy coordination with the world's major economies.
• OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralia is a member of the OECD, participating in economic policy coordination, development standards, and international best practice frameworks across trade, investment, and development.
• WTO (World Trade Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralia participates in the WTO as a founding member, engaging in multilateral trade negotiations, trade dispute settlement, and trade policy monitoring across goods, services, and intellectual property.
• MIKTA (Mexico, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Türkiye, Australia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIKTA is an informal grouping of five middle-power democracies spanning four continents. Australia participates as a member, engaging in coordinated diplomatic initiatives on global challenges including trade, security, and development.
• East Asia Summit (EAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe EAS is the Indo-Pacific's premier leader-led forum for strategic dialogue, with 19 members including all ASEAN countries plus Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia, and the US. Australia is a founding member (2005). EAS members represent ~53% of world population and ~60% of global GDP. Australia's two-way trade with EAS countries was $906 billion in 2024 (71.9% of total trade).
• ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAANZFTA is a regional free trade agreement between ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand. It is one of Australia's three regional and four bilateral FTAs with Southeast Asia, and a pathway for Australian business to access the ASEAN Economic Community.
• Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCEP is a free trade agreement among 15 Asia-Pacific economies (ASEAN members plus Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea). RCEP is in force and provides a framework for trade and investment across the Indo-Pacific.
• Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPTPP is a high-standard trade agreement among 11 Pacific Rim countries. Australia is a member, with CPTPP in force and serving as a key pillar of Australia's trade engagement in the Indo-Pacific alongside RCEP and bilateral agreements.
• China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChAFTA is the bilateral free trade agreement between Australia and China, in force, providing tariff reductions and improved market access for Australian goods, services, and investment.
• Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAI-ECTA is in force, providing the foundation for expanded trade and investment between Australia and India. A more comprehensive CECA is under negotiation.
• Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIA-CEPA is in force, supporting bilateral trade and investment between Australia and Indonesia. The agreement is part of Australia's deepened Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Indonesia.
• Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJAEPA is in force, providing Australian exporters with preferential access to the Japanese market across goods, services, and investment.
• Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement (KAFTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAFTA is in force, delivering tariff cuts and improved market access for Australian businesses in the South Korean market.
• Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAUSFTA is in force, providing the framework for Australia's trade and investment relationship with its major security ally, the United States.
• Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (A-UKFTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA-UKFTA is in force, establishing preferential trade terms between Australia and the United Kingdom following Brexit.
• Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (UAE-CEPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUAE-CEPA is in force, establishing a comprehensive trade and investment framework between Australia and the United Arab Emirates.
• ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralia participates in the ARF, the primary venue for dialogue on political and security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, engaging 27 participants including all ASEAN members and key partners.
• Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralia participates in IPEF alongside the US, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and ASEAN members, focusing on trade, supply chains, clean energy, and tax and anti-corruption pillars.
• Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralia works with the Pacific Islands Forum, guided by the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Australia is the Pacific family's largest development partner, delivering record ODA to the region.
• Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASNO is an office within DFAT that works to enhance Australia's domestic and international security through effective regulation and treaty implementation, supporting partners across the Indo-Pacific and strengthening global non-proliferation regimes.
• Australia Group and Proliferation Security InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralia participates in the Australia Group (chemical and biological weapons non-proliferation) and the Proliferation Security Initiative (interdicting proliferation-related shipments), both coordinated through DFAT.
• International Development Finance Review partnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDFAT's Development Finance Review informed Australia's development policy, with the government accepting all eight recommendations. Partnerships with philanthropic organisations and impact investors are being scaled up to advance shared interests in climate and gender outcomes.
• Mekong-Australia PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Mekong-Australia Partnership supports ASEAN integration and Mekong regional cooperation, part of Australia's broader development cooperation with Southeast Asia under the ASEAN and Mekong Program.
• Partnerships for InfrastructurecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships for Infrastructure is an Australian Government initiative supporting quality infrastructure development in the Indo-Pacific, helping partner countries prepare and procure infrastructure projects.
• Pacific Labour Mobility (PALM) schemecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme enables Australian businesses to recruit workers from 9 Pacific countries and Timor-Leste, addressing labour shortages while supporting Pacific economic development.
• Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANCP supports Australian NGOs to deliver development programs in partner countries. In 2026-27, ANCP funding increased by $7 million. The program operates across the Indo-Pacific supporting disability inclusion, gender equality, and economic empowerment.
• New Colombo PlancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe New Colombo Plan is a signature scholarship and mobility program enabling Australian students to study and intern in the Indo-Pacific region. It fosters people-to-people connections and increases Australia's economic engagement with the region.
• Australia Awards (Scholarships and Fellowships)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralia Awards provides international scholarships and short courses funded by the Australian Government, building human capital and leadership in the Indo-Pacific. In 2025, over 650 new long-term scholarships and over 1,700 short-term scholarships were provided across Southeast Asia.
• Foreign Arrangements SchemecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Foreign Arrangements Scheme requires notification and assessment of foreign arrangements made by state and territory governments, universities, and other non-corporate entities with foreign governments or public agencies. Managed by DFAT to ensure transparency and national interest alignment.
• Australian Sanctions Office (ASO)coreOthersThe ASO is Australia's sanctions regulator, established within DFAT on 1 January 2020. It provides guidance on sanctions, processes permit applications via the PAX portal, and collaborates with other agencies to monitor and enforce compliance. The ASO maintains the Consolidated List of sanctioned persons and entities under 24 sanctions frameworks.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dfat
• YouTubeyoutube.com/dfat
• Facebookfacebook.com/dfat.gov.au
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/department-of-foreign-affairs-an
• Instagraminstagram.com/dfat

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade