Bilateral Relations
Australia and Iraq engage regularly on political, security, economic and humanitarian issues.
Australia has had diplomatic relations with Iraq in various forms since 1935.
Australia has had diplomatic relations with Iraq in various forms since 1935. Australia opened an Embassy in Baghdad in 1976 and Iraq established an Embassy in Canberra in 1995.
After the closure of the Australian Embassy in Baghdad in 1991, and the closure of the Iraqi Embassy in Canberra in 2003, full diplomatic relations resumed when both Embassies reopened in 2004, following the transfer of authority from the Coalition Provisional Authority to the Iraqi Interim Government.
Australian assistance
Australia has made a significant contribution to the Global Coalition to Defeat Da’esh and remains committed to its mission. Together with New Zealand, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) trained over 47,000 Iraqi security personnel as part of Task Group Taji. This concluded in June 2020. The ADF continues to make practical contributions in Iraq towards countering terrorism, and ensuring security and stability through Operation Okra and Operation AUGURY-GLOBAL. Australia also provides personnel to the NATO Mission Iraq’s headquarters.
Australia has committed over $207 million in humanitarian and stabilisation assistance to Iraq since 2014. Australian funding helps provide food, medical services and protection to people in need, as well as stabilisation support to areas liberated from Da’esh control. See Iraq humanitarian response for more details on Australia's current humanitarian package.
Economic Overview
Iraq is classified as an upper-middle income economy. The International Monetary Funded estimates Iraq’s real GDP growth for 2023 was 3.7 per cent.
Oil remains critical to Iraq’s economy, accounting for over 85 per cent of government revenue and 99 per cent of exports. Iraq holds the fourth largest crude oil reserves of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Iraq is the group’s second-largest crude oil producer.
Iraq faces post-conflict challenges, as well as longstanding political and sectarian divisions. Economic progress depends on improved internal security, combatting corruption and further economic reform.
For more information on the Iraqi economy, please see our Iraq fact sheet [PDF].
Trade and Investment
Two-way goods and services trade between Australia and Iraq was valued at $173.5 million in 2021-22.
Australia has exported wheat to Iraq for over 50 years. Wheat was the largest Australian export to Iraq in 2023, valued at $122.3 million. A further $23.2 million in vegetables and dairy products were exported to Iraq in 2022.
As Iraq seeks to diversify its economy, there is strong potential for growing the trade relationship, especially in grains and other food products, pharmaceuticals, education and agricultural technology.
Information on doing business and opportunities in Iraq
People to people links
There is a sizeable Iraqi community in Australia. According to the ABS Migration Australia data, from June 2022, 104,170 people born in Iraq were living in Australia.
Recent High Level Visits
- Governor General, David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) visited Baghdad in December 2019 to meet then President Dr Barham Salih and Australian Defence Force personnel.
- Then Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited Baghdad in December 2018 to meet then Prime Minister Adil Abd Al-Mahdi and Australian Defence Force personnel.
- Then Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove, visited Baghdad November 2018 to meet then President Barham Salih and Australian Defence Force personnel.