Ambassador of Australia to the United States

Ambassador of Australia to the United States
Incumbent Joe Hockey since 23 January 2016 (presented credentials 29 January 2016)
Style	His Excellency
Nominator	Prime Minister of Australia
Appointer	Governor-General of Australia
Inaugural holder	Richard Casey
Formation	1 March 1940
Website	Embassy of Australia

The Ambassador of Australia to the United States is an officer of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the head of the Embassy of Australia to the United States of America in Washington, D.C.. It is Australia's third-oldest diplomatic posting, after the High Commissions in London (1910) and Ottawa (1939). The position has the rank and status of an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and is currently Joe Hockey, who presented his credentials to President Barack Obama on 29 January 2016. The ambassador's work is assisted by multiple consulates throughout the country that undertake visiting and reporting responsibilities, as well as consular and trade matters for the embassy.

The United States and Australia have enjoyed official diplomatic relations since 1 March 1940, when Australia established a legation in Washington as one of its first independent postings. Prior to that, Australia had been represented by the British Embassy in Washington, either through a representative of the Australian government or simply by British officials on Australia's behalf. In 1929, Prime Minister Stanley Bruce appointed Herbert Brookes as "Commissioner-General to the United States", with a mandate to promote "Australian achievements in economic, musical, artistic, literary and intellectual fields". However, Brookes was recalled the following year by James Scullin (Bruce's successor), as a cost-saving measure during the Depression. In 1937, Joseph Lyons (Scullin's successor) appointed Keith Officer as a liaison officer attached to thte British Embassy, with the diplomatic rank of "Counsellor". Officer continued in the position until February 1940 when he became the charge d'Affaires, pending the arrival of Casey as the first Minister.