British High Commission Canberra

 
The British High Commission Canberra maintains and develops relations between the UK and Australia.

They represent the British Government in its relations with the Australian Government and present British policies to the Australian Government and to Australians. They report and explain Australian policies to the British Government and support British interests. They also co-ordinate the political, economic, environmental and commercial activities of the British Government.

Find out more on their UK and Australia news page, here: https://www.gov.uk/world/australia/news. The British High Commission Canberra provides services to British nationals living in and visiting Australia. You can access UK Government services while in Australia, here: https://www.gov.uk/world/australia.

Urgent assistance

If you are abroad, read the British High Commission Canberra’s dedicated coronavirus travel advice, at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus for all their latest guidance on travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you are in Canberra and you need advice which is not covered by reading the British High Commission Canberra’s travel advice then you can contact them online: https://www.contact-embassy.service.gov.uk/?country=Australia&post=British%20High%20Commission%20Canberra.

If you are in Canberra and you need urgent help (for example, you have been attacked, arrested or someone has died), call +61 (0)2 6270 6666.
 

Get an emergency travel document

You can apply for an emergency travel document if you are abroad and your passport has been lost or stolen, damaged or expired, and you canot get a new or replacement passport in time to travel.

Apply online for an emergency travel document, here: https://www.gov.uk/emergency-travel-document.

If the person needing the emergency travel document is under 16, a parent or guardian should apply on their behalf.

If you are travelling in more than three weeks, check if you can get a new or replacement passport in time to travel, here: https://www.gov.uk/renew-adult-passport.
 

If you are not a British citizen or have not had a British passport before

If you are not sure, check if you are a British citizen at: https://www.gov.uk/check-british-citizenship.

If you are not a British citizen but think you may be eligible, contact the British High Commission Canberra to apply for an emergency travel document: https://www.contact-embassy.service.gov.uk/?country=Australia&post=British%20High%20Commission%20Canberra. 

Other consular services

Register a same-sex marriage

While registering same-sex marriages in all our consulates around Australia was a service the British High Commission Canberra once provided, due to updates in Australian legislation and the legalisation of same-sex marriages, they no longer register same-sex marriages in British consulates in Australia. 

Convert a civil partnership into a marriage

The British High Commission Canberra can convert an existing civil partnership into marriage, visit: https://www.gov.uk/convert-civil-partnership.

You must have been living in Australia for 28 days.

You do not have to convert your civil partnership into a marriage in the country you formed it in.

What to bring with you:

• your original passport and your partner’s original passport

• original civil partnership certificate

• proof of residence, such as your driving licences, employer’s letters, or bank statements/utility bills 

You must pay fees, see the list of fees here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/australia-consular-fees--3.

See convert a civil partnership into a marriage webpage: https://www.gov.uk/convert-civil-partnership for full details.

Book an appointment to convert a civil partnership in:

• Brisbane: https://www.consular-appointments.service.gov.uk/fco/#!/british-consulate-brisbane/converting-a-civil-partnership/slot_picker

• Canberra: https://www.consular-appointments.service.gov.uk/fco/#!/british-high-commission-canberra/converting-a-civil-partnership/slot_picker

• Melbourne: https://www.consular-appointments.service.gov.uk/fco/#!/british-consulategeneral-melbourne/converting-a-civil-partnership/slot_picker

• Perth: https://www.consular-appointments.service.gov.uk/fco/#!/british-consulate-perth/converting-a-civil-partnership/slot_picker

• Sydney: https://www.consular-appointments.service.gov.uk/fco/#!/british-consulate-general-sydney/converting-a-civil-partnership/slot_picker

Bookings are by appointment only. Please do not make formal arrangements until the British High Commission Canberra staff have confirmed the date and time.

Notarial and documentary services

The British High Commission Canberra consulates around Australia are unable to carry out notarial acts under the Commissioner of Oaths Act 1889, and on instruction from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in London.

This includes certifying documents as true copies of originals, administering oaths or taking affidavits. For these or other notarial acts, or the legalising of documents, please contact a notary public, here: https://www.notarylocator.com.au.

 
Consular fees

The British High Commission Canberra charge fees for some of their services. See the list of fees at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/australia-consular-fees--3.

They also provide services in:

•Brisbane: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-brisbane

•Melbourne: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-general-melbourne

•Perth: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-perth

•Sydney: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-general-sydney