Diplomatic relations exist between Australia and Germany, as well as the historical contacts, shared values of democracy and human rights, substantial commercial links, and a keen interest in each other's culture.

As part of a strategic partnership concluded in 2013, both nations are also increasingly cooperating on security policy issues.

There were many German missionaries who emigrated to Australia, established mission stations and worked with Aboriginal Australians, in some cases helping to preserve their languages and culture.

At the conclusion of the war, an Australian delegation participated in the negotiating of the Treaty of Versailles, codifying the partitioning of the former German Empire among the winners.

The German consul, Carl Ludwig Sahl (1840–1897),[5] who spent most of his life in the South Pacific region, received his acceptance by British authorities on October 18, 1872;[6] he served in Sydney until his death in 1897, and was buried there.

[5] After the First World War, the first consul of the Weimar Republic, Dr Hans Büsing, arrived to Australia in 1924.

[10] For about 27 years after the collapse of Nazi Germany, the Australian government refused to recognise East Germany or accept East German passports, due to ideological and political reasons; Australia viewing the GDR as a satellite state aligned and heavily influenced by the Soviet Union, while the GDR viewed Australia as a product of British colonialism, intent on destroying Marxism–Leninism.

[11] A significant number of Australia–Germany bilateral treaties include agreements on trade, science, space, taxation/social security, extradition, and other matters.