Australia–Russia relations

Foreign relations (Russian: Российско-австралийские отношения) date back to 1807, when the Russian warship Neva arrived in Sydney as part of its circumnavigation of the globe. Consular relations between Australia and the Russian Empire were established in 1857. Diplomatic relations between Australia and the Soviet Union were established in 1942, and the first Australian embassy opened in 1943. Due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, relations became very tense after Australia imposed sanctions against Russia. Russia placed Australia on a list of "unfriendly countries", along with Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, the United States, European Union members, NATO members (except Turkey), Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, Micronesia and Ukraine.

Relations between the two countries severely deteriorated in 2014 due to Russia's invasion of Crimea and the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, which claimed the lives of 38 Australians. In 2017, according to a Pew Research Center survey, 37% of Australians had a favourable view of Russia, with 55% expressing an unfavourable view. Relations further deteriorated in 2022 as a result of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. At the time, a Lowy Institute study reported that only 5% of surveyed Australians said that they trust Russia ‘somewhat’ or ‘a great deal’ to act responsibly in the world, a 21-point fall from 2021.