Where to get an apostille in Australia: competent authority and Apostille Convention status

Source: HCCH, Convention 12 status table and competent authority pageRetrieved 5 November 2026Independent information site: we are not the Hague Conference, nor an apostille authority, nor the source of the data.

Australia is a party to the Apostille Convention, in force since 16 March 1995 (accession). HCCH lists as competent authority, among others: The Secretary to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Commonwealth of Australia.

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Convention

Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (HCCH Convention No. 12)

Status

Contracting Party in the HCCH status table

Type

Accession (A)

Ratification, accession or succession, as printed

11-VII-1994

Entry into force (EIF), as printed

16-III-1995 (16 March 1995)

Competent authority (Art. 6), as printed by HCCH

The Secretary to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Commonwealth of Australia Australian Embassies, High Commissions and Consulate (except Consulates headed by an Honorary Consul) are empowered to issue Apostilles on Australian public documents Within Australia, the Australian Passport Office in capital cities issues Apostilles

HCCH competent authority page

Australia - Competent Authority (Art. 6) (page last updated 27 October 2025)

Region (UN M49)

Oceania, Australia and New Zealand

Sources

HCCH status table, Convention 12, retrieved 5 November 2026; HCCH competent authorities of Australia, retrieved 5 November 2026; UN M49 regions