Oceania
Australia
Singapore's diplomatic relationships and recent highlights with Australia.
Overview
Singapore and Australia share longstanding and multifaceted relations that are built on deep, substantive cooperation in areas such as defence, economics and warm people-to-people relations.
Bilateral relations were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in 2015. The CSP is a broad-ranging agreement with over 110 completed initiatives across six pillars: Economics and Trade, Defence and Foreign Affairs, People-to-People, Science and Innovation, Digital Economy, and Green Economy. Both sides have agreed to work towards the next phase of the CSP, ahead of its 10th anniversary and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2025.
Australia is an important economic partner for Singapore. Trade and investment links between both countries are strong. The Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) was signed in February 2003 and entered into force in July 2003. A revised Agreement entered into force in December 2017. Both sides commemorated the 20th anniversary of the SAFTA in May 2023.
Singapore and Australia enjoy close defence ties, founded on substantive interactions and shared perspectives. The Singapore Armed Forces train in Australia, both unilaterally and bilaterally with the Australian Defence Force. In March 2020, Singapore and Australia signed the Treaty on Military Training and Training Area Development, a key deliverable of the CSP. Building on 30 years of Singapore’s training in Australia, the Treaty underpins the A$2.25 billion investment to jointly develop military training areas and facilities in an expanded Shoalwater Bay Training Area and a new Greenvale Training Area in Queensland, as well as advanced training facilities in Central and North Queensland. This will benefit both armed forces and deepen defence cooperation. Singapore and Australia also cooperate closely in multilateral forums such as the Five Power Defence Arrangements and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus.
Singaporeans and Australians share warm and close personal links, underpinned by close bilateral cooperation in the areas of education and arts and culture. Under the New Colombo Plan, more than 200 Australian students travelled to Singapore in the first three months of 2023, and over 4,000 student grants were awarded for study in Singapore since 2014. The Australia-Singapore Arts Group (ASAG), which facilitates collaboration between artists, arts groups and cultural institutions in Singapore and Australia, was created in 2016 and renewed for a second term in 2023.
Both countries work closely together on science and innovation. A Master Research Collaboration Agreement was signed in October 2022, which strengthened collaboration in and support for joint research and development. The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation and the National University of Singapore expanded Singapore’s current synchrotron capabilities and increased collaboration and research between scientists in October 2022, through the signing of a Synchrotron Access Agreement.
Both sides regularly update and refresh the CSP to keep it forward-looking. In August 2020, Singapore and Australia signed Singapore’s first bilateral Digital Economy Agreement (SADEA) to boost bilateral cooperation in trade facilitation, digital identities, fintech, and e-payments. Both sides signed the Singapore-Australia Green Economy Agreement (SAGEA) and launched 17 initial deliverables under the agreement in 2022. The SAGEA is a first-of-its-kind agreement that aims to catalyse economic growth and job creation in green sectors, as well as promote decarbonisation and support both countries’ green economy transition. It also serves as a pathfinder for regional cooperation in advancing trade and environmental sustainability. In 2024, both sides signed a Green and Digital Shipping Corridor MOU to accelerate maritime decarbonisation and digitalisation, and jointly developed a set of principles to guide cross-border electricity trade for the region.
Both countries are aligned on the importance of resilient supply chains. A Supply Chains Working Group was established in September 2022 to strengthen the security and resilience of our supply chains. The Working Group is exploring opportunities to strengthen trade between both markets, including in the areas of food, energy and connectivity. Under the Working Group, both sides agreed to work on a bilateral Food Pact, which will seek to increase trade in high quality food products, support Singapore as a transshipment hub, stimulate Singaporean investment into Australia and facilitate cooperation on global food security issues. Both sides have since agreed on Guiding Principles and Work Plan for the Food Pact in 2023.
Recent highlights
2024
Shadow Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Claire Chandler made a visit to Singapore under the MFA Distinguished Visitors’ Programme in January 2024. During her visit, she met Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Second Minister for Education Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman, Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of National Development Sim Ann, Minister of State in the Ministry of Social and Family Development and Ministry of Home Affairs Sun Xueling, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Manpower Gan Siow Huang, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth Alvin Tan.
PM Lee Hsien Loong visited Melbourne for the 9th Singapore-Australia Annual Leaders’ Meeting in March 2024, which was held in conjunction with the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit. He was accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.
Assistant Minister for Trade and Assistant Minister for Manufacturing Tim Ayres visited Singapore for the Maritime Week and to lead the inaugural Southeast Asia Business Exchange Mission in April 2024. Ayres met Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat and Minister of State in the Ministry of Trade and Industry Alvin Tan.
Minister for Education Jason Clare visited Singapore for the International Summit on the Teaching Profession in April 2024, during which he met Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing.
2023
Minister of State in the Ministry of Trade and Industry Alvin Tan received an introductory call by Victoria Treasurer, Minister for Trade and Investment and Minister for Industrial Relations Tim Pallas in January 2023.
Shadow Minister for Defence Andrew Hastie made a visit to Singapore under the Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship in January 2023. During his visit, he called on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, and was hosted to lunch by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen.
Shadow Minister for Cyber Security and Countering Foreign Interference of Australia James Paterson made a visit to Singapore under the S R Nathan Fellowship) in January 2023. During his visit, he called on Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Minister of State in the Ministry for Communications and Information Dr Janil Puthucheary.
Minister for Resources and Minister for Northern Australia Madeline King visited Singapore in April 2023, during which she called on Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong visited Canberra in May 2023 for the 13th Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee meeting. Australia was represented by DPM and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell.
Victoria Governor Linda Dessau made a working visit to Singapore in May 2023, during which she called on President Halimah Yacob.
PM Anthony Albanese made an Official Visit to Singapore in June 2023 to co-chair the 8th Annual Leaders’ Meeting with Acting PM Lawrence Wong, and to deliver the Keynote Address at the Shangri-La Dialogue. PM Albanese was accompanied by DPM and Minister for Defence Richard Marles.
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Assistant Minister for the Public Service Patrick Gorman visited Singapore under the S R Nathan Fellowship in July 2023. During his visit, he was hosted to dinner by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, and called on Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Transport S Iswaran, Minister for Sustainability and Environment Grace Fu, Minister for Education and Minister-in-Charge of the Public Service Chan Chun Sing and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah.
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King met Acting Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat during her visit to Singapore in July 2023.
Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic made a visit to Singapore in July 2023. During his visit, he met Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong and Minister for Communication and Information Josephine Teo.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas visited Singapore in September 2023, during which he met Minister of State in the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth Low Yen Ling.
Former Prime Minister John Howard visited Singapore in October 2023 to speak at a commemorative panel discussion on “Reflecting on Lee Kuan Yew’s Contributions to the Development of Asia and Global Relations” at the Asia Future Summit. During his visit, he met Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.
Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence Zaqy Mohamad visited Australia to observe the conduct of Exercise Wallaby 23 and officiated at the 30th anniversary commemorative celebration of the RSAF’s detachment at the Royal Australia Air Force Base Pearce.
Labor MP and Chair of the Australia-Singapore Parliamentary Friendship Network Julian Hill visited Singapore in November 2023 under the S R Nathan Fellowship. During his visit, he was hosted to lunch by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and called on Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo and Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Manpower Zaqy Mohamad.
2022
Foreign Minister Penny Wong made an Official Visit to Singapore in July 2022, during which she met PM Lee Hsien Loong, DPM Lawrence Wong and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen visited Australia in September 2022 to visit the Singapore Armed Forces troops who are participating in Exercise Wallaby and Exercise Trident at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland. During his visit, he called on PM Anthony Albanese and DPM and Minister for Defence Richard Marles.
Tasmania Premier Jeremy Rockliff led a trade mission to Singapore in October 2022, during which he met Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing.
PM Lee Hsien Loong visited Canberra for the 7th Annual Leaders’ Meeting in October 2022. He was accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong and Members of Parliament Foo Mee Har and Saktiandi bin Supaat. The Singapore-Australia Green Economy Agreement was signed during the visit. Both sides added “Green Economy” as the 6th pillar of the CSP.
Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts visited Singapore to attend the Singapore International Cyber Week in October 2022, during which he called on Minister for Communication and Information Josephine Teo.
South Australia Governor Frances Adamson led a trade mission to Singapore in November 2022, during which she called on President Halimah Yacob.
2020
Premier of South Australia Steven Marshall visited Singapore from 13 to 15 January. He called on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Heng Swee Keat and met with Minister for Communications and Information S Iswaran.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison held the 5th Singapore-Australia Leaders’ Meeting via videoconference on 23 March. Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Communications and Information S Iswaran, Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham and Australian Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds were also involved in the meeting.During the meeting, the Leaders witnessed the signing of the Treaty on Military Training and Training Area Development and seven MOUs under the ambit of the Digital Economy Agreement. MOUs on cybersecurity and food safety standards were also signed.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison spoke to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on the phone on 16 July. Prime Minister Morrison congratulated Prime Minister Lee on the results of the General Election 2020, and they exchanged views on tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and achieving economic recovery.
Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing and Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham signed the Singapore-Australia Digital Economy Agreement electronically via videoconference on 6 August.
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne made an official visit to Singapore from 7 to 9 October. She called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, was hosted to lunch by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and met Minister of State in the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Ministry of Education Sun Xueling, in her capacity as Minister for Women.
2019
Australian Minister for Defence Christopher Pyne made an introductory visit to Singapore from 26 to 28 January 2019. During the visit, he met Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, and was the keynote speaker at the 7th Fullerton Forum: The Shangri-La Dialogue Sherpa Meeting.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, and Minister for Trade & Industry Chan Chun Sing visited Sydney on 29 March for the 11th meeting of the Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee (SAJMC).
Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited Singapore for the annual Leaders’ Meeting in June 2019. He was accompanied by Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women Marise Payne.
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds visited Singapore to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue in June 2019.
Victoria Governor Linda Dessau called on President Halimah Yacob during her visit to Singapore in October 2019.
2018
Australian Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne visited Singapore on 18 January, during which he met Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.
Australian Shadow Foreign Minister Penny Wong visited Singapore from 23 to 24 January, during which she met Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu and was hosted to lunch by Second Minister for Home Affairs Josephine Teo.
Australian Minister for Human Services and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Digital Transformation Michael Keenan visited Singapore from 29 to 31 January 2018, during which he met Minister in-charge of Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Minister for Communications and Information Dr Yaacob Ibrahim.
Senior Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki bin Osman visited Perth, Australia from 1 to 2 February 2018 for the Sub-Regional Defence Ministers’ Meeting on Counter-Terrorism, where he met Australian Minister for Defence Marise Payne.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made an Official Visit to Sydney, Australia from 15 to 18 March 2018 at the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. While in Sydney, Prime Minister Lee participated in the 3rd Singapore – Australia Leaders’ Summit, an annual meeting established under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Singapore and Australia in 2015. Prime Minister Lee also co-chaired the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit with Prime Minister Turnbull from 17 to 18 March 2018.
Minister for Communications and Information Dr Yaacob Ibrahim made a working visit to Canberra, Australia from 26 to 28 March 2018, where he met Australian Minister for Law Enforcement and Cybersecurity Angus Taylor.
Australian Minister for Defence Marise Payne visited Singapore for the 17th Shangri La Dialogue on 2 June 2018, where she met Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen.
Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific Concetta Fierravanti-Wells visited Singapore on 14 June 2018, where she met Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sam Tan.
Adelaide Lord Mayor Martin Haese visited Singapore from 9 to 10 July 2018 for the World Cities Summit, and was hosted to tea by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan. Apart from Lord Mayor Haese, other Australian personalities including Australian Capital Territory Chief Minister Andrew Barr, Chief Commissioner of the Greater Sydney Commission Lucy Turnbull, Northern Territory Assistant Minister for a Vibrant Darwin CBD Paul Kirby MLA, Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis JP, Casey Mayor Emeritus Sam Aziz, Nedlands Mayor Max Hipkins, Melbourne Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood, and Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill had also visited Singapore for the World Cities Summit.
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop visited Singapore for the 51st ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings from 3 to 4 August 2018, during which she met Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.
Western Australian Minister for Tourism, Racing and Gaming, Small Business, Defence Issues, Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Paul Papalia visited Singapore from 2 to 4 September 2018, where he met Senior Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki bin Osman.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan met Australia Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne on the sidelines of the 73rdUnited Nations General Assembly in New York on 28 September 2018.
Australian Minister for Defence Christopher Pyne visited Singapore for the 5th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus from 19 to 20 October 2018, where he met Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen.
Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam met Australian Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton on the sidelines of the Sub-Regional Meeting on Counter Terrorism in Jakarta, which took place from 5 to 6 November 2018.
Australian Minister for Defence Industry Steven Ciobo visited Singapore from 8 to 10 November 2018, and was hosted to lunch by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen and breakfast by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited Singapore to 33rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits from 13 to 15 November 2018, where he met Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on the sidelines. Prime Minister Lee also chaired the ASEAN – Australia Informal Breakfast Summit on 14 November 2018, which Prime Minister Morrison attended.
Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How made a working visit to Australia from 9 to 13 November 2018, in conjunction with the Singapore Armed Force’s joint military exercise with the Australian Defence Force, Exercise Trident.
Senior Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki bin Osman met Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne on the sidelines of the 30th APEC Ministerial Meeting in Port Moresby on 15 November 2018.