Australia - Spain
Relations between Australia and Spain continue to expand. In 2018, we celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations with the visit to Spain of the Governor-General of Australia.
Our shared democratic values and commitment to global peace and security are a strong basis for consultation and collaboration on a broad range of bilateral and international issues.
Trade and investment links are strong, with Spanish companies bringing significant expertise in Australia's transport, infrastructure and renewable energy generation sectors. Spanish companies have established a strong and growing presence in Australia, including by basing their Indo-Pacific operations in the country.
Australian firms are taking an increasing interest in Spain, with a growing number of investments, notably in financial services, software and mining.
A key element of the bilateral relationship is defence and defence materiel. Spanish companies have won significant defence construction contracts and cooperation between the Royal Australian Navy and the Armada has grown especially close.
You can visit the Spain Country Brief and download our Spain Country Fact Sheet (PDF) for more comprehensive information on our relationship with Spain.
What's new?
Human Rights
We are continuing to deepen our engagement on human rights issues, following the succesful election of both Australia and Spain on the United Nations Human Rights Council (2018-20 term).
Work and Holiday Visas
Now even more young Spaniards are able to explore, work and study in Australia following an increase in December 2018 in the number of places available to Spanish nationals under our Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) arrangement to 3,400.
Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement
Negotiations for an Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement are currently underway. Spain is a strong proponent of trade liberalisation and is supportive of an Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement. To find out more about each negotiating round, you can visit the A-EUFTA News.
Universal abolition of the death penalty
Australia’s commitment to human rights is enduring and we support the universal abolition of the death penalty. In December 2018, Australia became a member of the International Commission against the Death Penalty (ICDP) – based in the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Download Australia’s Strategy for Abolition of the Death Penalty (PDF).