The ambassador of Australia to Israel is an officer of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the head of the Embassy of the Commonwealth of Australia to the State of Israel. The ambassador is an officer of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the head of the Embassy of the Commonwealth of Australia to the State of Israel in Tel Aviv. The position has the rank and status of an ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary. The current ambassador, since 8th February 2026, is Neil Hawkins.
Israel and Australia have enjoyed official diplomatic relations since the Australian government of Ben Chifley recognised Israel on 28 January 1949. The first Australian representative was Osmond Charles Fuhrman who was appointed as the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Australian legation in Tel Aviv in October 1949. Orsmond presented his credentials to President Chaim Weizmann on 4 January 1950. In October 1960 the legations of Israel in Canberra and of Australia in Tel Aviv were raised to embassy status and the Australian Minister John McMillan became the first ambassador.
List of heads of mission Ordinal Officeholder Title Term start date Term end date Time in office Notes Minister to Israel Ambassador of Australiato the State of Israel William Landale David Goss years John Campbell years William Fisher Peter William Rodgers Ian Wilcock Richard Rigby Ross Burns Tim George James Larsen Paul Griffiths incumbent
See also Australia–Israel relations Foreign relations of Australia
References
External links Australian Embassy, Israel