The position has the rank and status of an ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary and holds non-resident accreditation for Nauru, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

Germany and Australia have enjoyed diplomatic relations since 1952, although official consular representation existed in Sydney and Melbourne since 1879 and an embassy for the German Democratic Republic, with its own ambassador, also existed between 1972 and 1990.

The Consulate in Sydney was also re-established in 1952 with Reinhold Renauld von Ungern-Sternberg appointed until 1956.

Based in Sydney, with responsibility for "Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand and the Fiji-Islands".

Diplomatic relations were severed on 5 September 1939 and Switzerland acted as repository for German interests thereafter.