Extradition and mutual assistance relationships with other countries
Note:This is for general information only. It does not give legal advice on the operation of the Extradition Act 1988 and Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters and should not be relied on as legal advice.
Country lists
Please see the following lists of country relationships:
- Alphabetical country index
- Australian bilateral extradition agreements
- Australian non-treaty extradition arrangements
- Inherited extradition treaties
- Extradition arrangements with Commonwealth countries
- Australian multilateral extradition or mutual assistance arrangements
- Australian bilateral mutual assistance agreements
With which countries does Australia have extradition relationships?
The Australian Government processes all incoming and outgoing extradition requests in accordance with the Extradition Act 1988.
Australia can only accept requests from countries that are declared as ‘extradition countries’ in regulations.
Extradition regulations have been made for four broad groups of extradition countries:
- countries with which Australia has a bilateral treaty
- countries that are party to multilateral treaties (with extradition obligations) that Australia is also a party to,
- countries that are a member of the "London Scheme", an arrangement of less than treaty status governing extradition between countries of the Commonwealth and their dependencies, and
- some countries with which Australia has no treaty relationship.
Australia can make an extradition request to any country. However, in the absence of a treaty, whether the request will be accepted depends on the domestic laws of that country.
With which countries does Australia have a mutual assistance relationship?
Australia can make or receive a request for mutual assistance from any country, and there is no need for countries to be prescribed in regulations. However, to facilitate mutual assistance, Australia has concluded a number of bilateral treaties.
Mutual Assistance requests are processed in accordance with the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1987.
Australia can make a mutual assistance request to any country. However, in the absence of a treaty, whether the request is accepted will depend on the domestic laws of the country.
