Australian High Commission

Brunei Darussalam

High Commission address: Level 6, DAR Takaful IBB Utama, Jalan Pemancha, Bandar Seri Begawan - Telephone: 222 9435 - Fax: 222 1652

The Australian High Commission in Brunei Darussalam

Selamat Datang ke Halaman Web Suruhanjaya Tinggi Australia

Message from the High Commissioner

[click here for Malay translation]

Australia and Brunei Darussalam enjoy a warm, and increasingly diverse bilateral relationship. The Australian High Commission in Bandar Seri Begawan was established shortly before Brunei gained full independence in 1984, but relations go back much earlier than this. Australian servicemen liberated Brunei from Japanese occupation in June 1945. A memorial marking this event can be found at Muara Beach and is the venue for the annual ANZAC Day ceremony organised by the High Commission.

These longstanding links between our two countries are being strengthened in a variety of ways. People-to-people ties are underpinned by strong links between educational institutions in both countries. Australia is currently the second most popular destination for Bruneian students looking to further their studies abroad and there is significant potential to expand cooperation in the education field.

Two-way merchandise trade totalled $1.3 billion in 2011, though exports of crude petroleum from Brunei accounted for the vast majority of this trade at $1.27 billion Australian goods exports to Brunei were dominated by agricultural items such as meat and live animals. Trade in services totalled $142 million, including education and air travel services.

Australia and Brunei work closely together in regional and multilateral fora such as APEC, the East Asia Summit (EAS), the World Trade Organisation and the United Nations. The two countries are parties to the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) which has been in force since 2010. This agreement delivered real commercial benefits for Australian and Bruneian exporters and investors. Both countries are also participating in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations which commenced in 2010, with participants aiming to conclude an agreement which will serve as a building block for Asia Pacific economic integration.

The strength of the bilateral relationship is also evidenced by close cooperation in a range of other fields including defence, police and law enforcement, tourism, culture, sports and the arts.

The High Commission is committed to providing Australians in Brunei with a prompt, effective and courteous consular service. I would encourage all Australians living in, or visiting, Brunei to register on the Smartraveller website www.smartraveller.gov.au to assist us in contacting you in case of a consular emergency.

I trust you find the information on this website useful and would welcome any feedback you might have. Comments can be forwarded to the following email address: (austhicom.brunei@dfat.gov.au)

Todd Mercer
High Commissioner

News

Anzac Day dawn service 25 April

All Australians and New Zealanders are invited to a dawn service to commemorate Anzac Day 2013 for the 98th Anniversary of the ANZAC Landings. Please register your attendance here.

Date:         Thursday 25 April 2013
Time:         5.50am arrival (ceremony commences at 6.00am)
Venue:       Brunei-Australia Memorial, Pantai Muara (Muara Beach), Bandar Seri Begawan
Breakfast:  A light buffet breakfast will be served after the ceremony.
RSVP:       Please register your attendance by 18 April via email: austhicom.brunei@dfat.gov.au; fax: 222 1652 or tel: 222 9435.

State and Federal Elections

Federal Elections

The Australian Federal Election will be held on Saturday 14 September 2013.

Early (in-person) voting will be offered at this post from Monday 2 September 2013. Election arrangements, including voting times, will be published on this page closer to the election.

In the meantime, you can find information relating to being overseas at election time on the Australian Electoral Commission’s website www.aec.gov.au

International Women's Day event

On 6 March, the Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Todd Mercer, hosted an afternoon tea to mark International Women's Day (IWD). The High Commissioner spoke about this year's IWD theme to end violence against women and girls in all its forms, and spoke of Australia's commitment to focusing on this issue while a member of the UN Security Council. He also highlighted the importance the Australian Government placed on working to ensure that all women have equal access to education, employment and opportunity. Recorded messages from the Governor-General, HE Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, and the Prime Minister, The Hon Julia Gillard MP, were screened during the event. The High Commissioner also read out a personalised message from the Governor-General in which she referred to the women’s roundtable she co-chaired during her State visit to Brunei in October 2012. Datin Hjh Adina binti Othman, Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports attended as the Guest of Honour. Dr Sonali Pande, a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, attended the event as the guest speaker, and delivered a presentation on the issue of osteoporosis. Other attendees included Bruneian women from a range of sectors, including government, civil society, sport and business.

Australia Day 2013

The Australian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, His Excellency Mr Todd Mercer, held a reception at his residence on Saturday 26 January to mark Australia Day 2013. More than 220 Australian citizens and Bruneians with connections to Australia attended. The High Commissioner spoke about the positive state of Australia-Brunei relations, and referred to highlight over the past year such as the visit to Brunei in October 2012 by Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO. He noted that exchanges between the two countries would be intensified during 2013 while Brunei occupies the Chair of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). The High Commissioner took the opportunity to encourage Australian citizens in Brunei to register on the Australian Government's Smartraveller website.

Photo of Todd Mercer High Commissioner
Todd Mercer speaking
at the event

High Commissioner's spouse Orieta with an Australian citizen High Commissioner's
spouse Orieta with an
Australian citizen

Guests at the Australia Day BBQ Guests at the Australia
Day BBQ

Visit by the Governor of New South Wales

The Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir visited Brunei Darussalam from 18 to 20 January 2013. During her visit the Governor had an audience with His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam during which she observed the very positive relations which exist between Brunei and Australia, and in particular New South Wales. She was also a guest of honour at the opening of the Big Ones Little Ones (BOLO) exhibition which will be on display at the Waterfront Gallery in Bandar Seri Begawan until 19 February 2013. BOLO is a visual art/education initiative founded by Australian Gallery owner Trish Amichi.

Governor of New South Wales with Pehin Nazair at the Big Ones Little Ones exhibition Governor of New South Wales
with Pehin Hazair at the Big
Ones Little Ones exhibition

Big Ones Little Ones exhibition at
the Waterfront Gallery

HMAS Sydney visit to Brunei

The Guided Missile Frigate HMAS Sydney has just concluded a four day port visit to Brunei Darussalam, the fourth and final port visit of her North and South East Asian Deployment.

On Monday 3 November, Sydney berthed at Muara Harbour after completing Exercise Penguin, an annual event that this year took the form of a Passage Exercise (‘PASSEX’) conducted with the Royal Brunei Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel Darulaman.

Later that night Sydney hosted an impressive Official Reception for 100 people, culminating in the performance of a traditional Ceremonial Sunset.

On Tuesday HMAS Sydney crew members planted donated potted vegetable gardens for disadvantaged young families in the Kampong Ayer Water Village, under the auspices of the Believe Youth Association.

During the visit, sailors enjoyed Brunei’s excellent rugby and golf facilities, as well as taking on their Royal Brunei Navy counterparts at soccer and volley-ball.

Many of the crew also took the opportunity to go diving or attend tours, and while the ship has now departed, the impressions of this beautiful country are sure to remain with many personnel as HMAS Sydney returns home to Australia after two months away.

State visit to Brunei by the Governor General of Australia

The Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, accompanied by His Excellency Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, undertook a State visit to Brunei Darussalam from 2 to 4 October 2012, the first such visit by an Australian Governor-General. For further information on the visit, click on the below link then look at the October Archives:

http://www.gg.gov.au/

Governor General with students

PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

The Hon Richard Marles MP

Visit to Brunei Darussalam reaffirms strong bilateral relationship with Australia

Media release
8 August 2012

The strong relationship enjoyed by Brunei Darussalam and Australia was reinforced during meetings between Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Richard Marles and senior Bruneian ministers in Bandar Seri Begawan.

"Today I met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Second Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Pehin Lim Jock Seng and Brunei's Minister of Education Pehin Abu Bakar," Mr Marles said.

"The relationship is in good shape. During meetings with Prince Mohamed and Pehin Lim, we reaffirmed our long-standing bilateral relationship, underpinned by traditional strengths of education, defence and trade."

Parliamentary Secretary Marles also met with Minister of Education Pehin Abu Bakar during his visit.

"I am pleased that Australia remains one of the preferred destinations for Brunei students overseas.

" MOUs between Australian universities and the University of Brunei Darussalam (UBD), as well as joint arrangements between UBD's medical faculties and the University of Queensland, underpin Brunei's strong education linkages with Australia's tertiary institutions.

Media enquiries

Parliamentary Secretary's Office: (02) 6277 4330
Departmental Media Liaison: (02) 6261 1555

MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE

Senator The Hon Bob Carr MP

Media release
5 July 2012

Foreign Minister Bob Carr today announced Mr Todd Mercer would be Australia’s next High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam.

Mr Mercer will take up his appointment in August 2012, replacing Mr Mark Sawers who has been High Commissioner since February 2009.

He is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and is currently Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Embassy, Mexico. Prior to this, he was Director, WTO Regional and Free Trade Agreements Section. Mr Mercer served overseas as Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Embassy, Chile and Second Secretary, Australian Embassy, Mexico.

Mr Mercer holds a Master of International Studies from the University of Sydney, a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Sydney, and a Graduate Diploma of Arts from Monash University.

Australia and Brunei Darussalam share strong links in trade, law enforcement and agriculture. Australia is also the second largest provider of education services to Bruneians studying overseas and has a long-standing defence relationship with Brunei, including strategic dialogue and regular bilateral military exercises.

Two-way trade between Australia and Brunei totalled A$1.3 billion in 2010-11. Australia is now the 3rd largest export market for Brunei, with crude oil imports to Australian a significant part of this trade.

Australia and Brunei are partners in the East Asia Summit (EAS), the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional forum, and the bi-annual Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) interregional forum. Australia looks forward to enhancing regional engagement with Brunei, particularly as Brunei assumes the chair of ASEAN and will host the EAS in 2013.

Media enquiries

• Minister's office: (02) 6277 7500
• DFAT Media Liaison: (02) 6261 1555

Notice for Australians living in Brunei

Have you registered on Smartraveller? Have you previously registered on Smartraveller and your contact details changed since you registered? Did you know that if you have not updated your details since your initial registration that it may no longer be current? If you answered yes or no to any of these questions you should either contact the Australian High Commission in Bandar Seri Begawan or visit the Smartraveller website at www.smartraveller.gov.au.

The Australian High Commission in Bandar Seri Begawan encourages all Australians living in Brunei Darussalam to register on the Smartraveller website.

The registration information you provide will help us to contact or find you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster or family emergency. It may also be used to pass other information to you such as important travel advice updates, notice of elections and information on other matters relevant to travellers and expatriates.

Your information is strictly protected by the Australian Privacy Act and will only be used for official correspondence.
Should you wish to receive any information, advice or assistance on updating your details or would like to check if your details are still listed on Smartraveller, please contact the Australian High Commission on 222 9435/36.

Registration of Australians in Brunei Darussalam

The Australian High Commission encourages all Australians visiting Brunei Darussalam to register on the Smartraveller website. Where Australians are moving to or residing in Brunei Darussalam and would like to be kept updated of events such as Australia Day, ANZAC Day etc we encourage Australians to register directly with the High Commission. Registration can be completed by opening the attached Registration Form, completing the details and forwarding the completed registration form to austhicom.brunei@dfat.gov.au.

Brunei-Australia Association (BAA)

For Australians living in Brunei Darussalam or Bruneians who have studied or lived in Australia, the Australian High Commission encourages you to join and participate in the Brunei Australia Association. Registration can be completed by opening the BAA Registration Form, completing the details and forwarding the completed registration form to austhicom.brunei@dfat.gov.au.