Australian High Commission in Kiribati

Mauri and welcome to the official website of the Australian High Commission in Tarawa, Kiribati.

Australia's rich, diverse and enduring relationship with Kiribati is evidenced through bilateral and regional development investments delivering outcomes across a range of thematic areas including Health, Education, Sustainable Economic Growth, Infrastructure, Gender, Disability Inclusion, Social Protection, Climate Resilience, Fisheries, Food Security and Labour Mobility.

Further information is available here - see also the links to a number of selected regional initiatives below.

We invite you to access the resources and information contained on this website or contact us on [email protected] if you wish to make a general inquiry.

We are also on Facebook - follow us to learn more about the day-to-day activities of the high commission and its work supporting the people and Government of Kiribati.

Direct Aid Program (DAP)

DAP is a flexible small grants program (up to $20,000 per grant) administered by the Australian High Commission.  It aims to support small-scale sustainable development projects and activities that involve local communities. Where possible, community members should participate in the design, development and implementation of the project.  I-Kiribati local community and non-government organisations (NGOs) are eligible to apply.

The Australian High Commission’s Direct Aid Program (DAP) round for 2022/23 is now closed.

For more information on DAP, enquire by email to [email protected] or call 74021184 during working hours.

Follow the Australian High Commission Facebook page for updates on DAP and other activities of the Australian High Commission in Tarawa at: @australiainkiribati. 

Visas and immigration

Visit the Home Affairs website for further information regarding visas or citizenship. If you are unable to find the information you need on the Home Affairs website, telephone the Global Service Centre.

Visa services

The Australian High Commission in Kiribati has no visa function. Our office in Suva, Fiji manages visa services for clients in Kiribati.

You can apply online for most Australian visas and citizenship through ImmiAccount. This is the preferred and most efficient way to apply. Visa applications are not accepted at the Australian High Commission office in Kiribati.

Contact us

If you have read this information and still need more information or help, you can contact the Visa Office at the Australian High Commission in Suva in this link.

Australian Scholarship Awards

Applications are now closed for Australia Awards Scholarships and Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships for study in 2024.

For any scholarship enquiries, please email [email protected]

For information on Australia Awards Scholarships available to I-Kiribati citizens, please visit https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/files/australia-awards-kiribati-information-for-intake.pdf

Jobs in Australia

Australian companies associated with the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme, or any other working scheme, do not have the authority to guarantee jobs or visas. Do not send any money to any company. If asked by any company to send money then refer the matter to the Australian High Commission. Be aware that illegitimate websites exist for the sole purpose of receiving payment for services they have no intention of providing.

If you are interested in registering your interest to work in Australia as part of the PALM Scheme (either in the Seasonal Worker Program or the skilled Pacific Labour Scheme) please contact the Kiribati Ministry of Employment and Human Resource at www.employment.gov.ki

Selected regional initiatives operating in Kiribati with Australia's support

• Pacific Step-up
• Australia's Pacific regional development program
• COVID-19 response packages (Kiribati COVID-19 Development Response Plan)
• Australian Infrastructure Finance Facility for the Pacific
• Pacific Community (SPC)
• Australia Pacific Climate Partnership
• Pacific Women Lead
• Pacific Food Security Initiative
• Pacific regional - climate change and resilience (Kiribati)
• Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus)
• Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme
• Australia Awards and Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships
• Australia Pacific Security College

Information for Australian travellers

Consular Officers can be contacted on +686 740 21184. After working hours, emergency consular calls will be transferred to the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre (CEC) in Canberra. The CEC can also be contacted directly on +61 2 6261 3305.

Passport services are available at the Australian High Commission Annex (opposite St Anne’s Preschool, Main Road, Bairiki) between 10.00 am and 4 pm weekdays, excluding public holidays. Visit this site to confirm fees and access more information.

Notarial services are available during working hours, by appointment. Contact us via [email protected] or +686 740 21184 to make an appointment. Visit Smartraveller to confirm fees and access more information.

Other Australian Embassies, consulates and missions websites around the world

Smartraveller

Smartraveller has the latest, authoritative travel advice so you can be informed and prepared about overseas travel. Subscribe to receive travel advice updates - by simply supplying your name and email address – straight to your inbox.

In a crisis, Smartraveller will activate a crisis page on its website. It will make it easier for you or someone you know to contact the Australian Government if you need help. It will supplement the consular emergency hotline.

Visit www.smartraveller.gov.au to subscribe or connect with Smartraveller on Facebook and Twitter.

OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises

The Australian Government encourages Australian enterprises operating overseas and multinational enterprises operating in Australia to observe the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The Guidelines provide voluntary principles and standards for responsible business conduct in a variety of areas, including:

• human rights;
• employment and industrial relations;
• environment;
• combating bribery, bribe solicitation and extortion;
• consumer interests;
• science and technology;
• competition; and
• taxation.

The Australian National Contact Point (AusNCP) promotes the use of the OECD Guidelines and contributes to the resolution of issues relating to their implementation, including facilitating access to conciliation services.

Medibank Private/ahm and other recent data breaches – advice for foreign passport holders

22 November 2022

Medibank Private/ahm have advised the Australian Passport Office (APO) that no Australian Travel Document information was compromised in this breach.

Foreign passports for international students were compromised through this cyberattack. Medibank Private/ahm are contacting impacted customers directly.

If Medibank Private/ahm have advised you that your foreign passport information was compromised, you should contact the government that issued the passport for advice on what to do. This is also the case for all data breaches that impact foreign passport holders, including the recent breaches at Optus and Medlab.

More information:

Medibank/ahm impacted customers:

• Call Medibank on 134 148 (within Australia) or +61 3 9862 1095 (International) 
• Contact Medibank’s 24/7 Student Health and Support line (Medibank international students call 1800 887 283 and ahm international students call 1800 006 745)
• Visit Medibank Cyber Event Updates and Support page medibank.com.au/cybersecurity
• Go to ID Care’s dedicated Medibank and ahm breach response plan).
• See the Australian Cyber Security Centre's Medibank Private alert.

Optus impacted customers:

• Contact Optus customer service directly on 133 937 (within Australia), or +612 8082 5678 (International), or go to their Passport Information(link is external) webpage.
• Go to our Frequently Asked Questions on the Optus data breach and passport information
• See the Australian Cyber Security Centre's Optus data breach(link is external) alert.

Medlab impacted customers:

Contact Medlab customer service directly on +61 1800 433 980, or go to their data breach web page(link is external).

Public holidays observed in 2023

The Australian High Commission in Tarawa will be closed for the following public holidays in 2023.

Contact us

Read our Privacy policy

Email us at [email protected] 

Send us a mail to the following postal address:

P.O. Box 77, Bairiki, Tarawa, Kiribati

Phone us on: (+686) 740 21184

Office hours are 8.30 am to 5 pm weekdays, excluding public holidays.