South Australia state office  

About us

The South Australia State Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade can assist South Australian businesses with interests in trade and investment overseas. We aim to raise awareness and understanding in South Australia of foreign affairs and trade issues and to assist business and State government to make the most of international trade opportunities.

Our services include:

• Facilitation of meetings with visiting Australian Ambassadors and High Commissioners to discuss trade and foreign policy issues
• Advice on access to overseas markets and international business networks
• Advice on relevant research and publications produced by the Department
• Briefings and seminars on trade and business related issues
• The office provides a service to authenticate and legalise signatures on documents for use overseas.

Authentications and Apostilles

Authentications and Apostilles

Documents can be lodged and collected at Level 5, 55 Currie St, Adelaide. Our counter hours are 8.30am – 1.00pm Monday to Friday. No appointment is necessary.

In most cases, documents can be processed in 24 hours (available next working day). There may be a delay if we do not have a specimen signature on file of the person who has signed your document (this means we will need to verify their signature). Documents can also be sent via post. Please include your contact details, return postal address and an indication of which country the documents are intended for. You will also need a bank cheque or money order made payable to the "Collector of Public Moneys" or your credit card details (we accept all credit cards except American Express and Diners).

• Credit Card Authorisation Form [PDF 85 KB]
• Credit Card Authorisation Form [Word 71 KB]

Address

Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade
Notarials
GPO Box 9807
ADELAIDE SA 5001

The cost of returning your document by ordinary post is included in the fee. Please include a self-addressed Registered or Express Post envelope if you wish your document to be returned to you via either of these methods.

Please note all payment must be in Australian dollars.

For further information please call (08) 8403 4899 or email adelaide.sa@dfat.gov.au

Passports

The Passport Office is co-located with the South Australia State Office.

• Public counter hours are 8.30am – 4.00pm
• Australian Passport Information Service (APIS) is available on 131 232
• Operating hours for the service are Monday to Friday, 8am – 8pm and Saturday to Sunday 8.30am – 5pm (Eastern Standard Time)
• Please note: Interviews for passport application lodgement within the office are by appointment only - please contact (APIS) to schedule

Services to business

Among the most important responsibilities of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is to negotiate away market access barriers which hinder Australian exporters in their efforts to develop export markets.

These can include such things as tariffs, quotas, or unreasonable technical regulations or standards. The Department is able to address these problems in bilateral government to government negotiations with the country concerned, in regional forums such as APEC, or in the World Trade Organisation.

The Department can target those market access barriers which matter to Australian business only if Australian business tells the Department what they are. We therefore encourage South Australian businesses which find themselves up against market access barriers in potential export markets to get in touch with the South Australia State Office and make us aware of the problem so that we can start work on solving it.

If you are a South Australian business affected by market access barriers, our State Director and his business relations team will always be keen to hear from you. There is no charge for consulting us on such matters - it is part of our core business as a policy arm of government, aimed at creating the best possible conditions for a more prosperous Australia.

To discuss market access issues, please call: Keith Gardner SA State Director on (08) 8403 4850

Visitors program

Ambassadors and High Commissioners from our overseas posts regularly visit South Australia and are available to meet with South Australian companies, universities and State Government Departments. They can also speak at meetings of Chambers, Business Councils or associations.

The Department also operates a Cultural Awards Scheme (CAS), a Special Visits Program (SVP) and an Overseas Media Visitors Program (OMV).

The Cultural Awards Scheme targets key international figures in the areas of media, performing and visual arts, heritage, conservation and restoration and arts management. The Department brings these people to Australia to improve Australia's image in key markets and provide a greater awareness of the diversity, excellence and sophistication of the Australian cultural product. It is envisaged that improved commercial possibilities and enhanced institutional links and networks of personal contacts will also emerge from the visit, thereby promoting Australia's image and cultural product in key markets.

The Special Visits Program similarly targets influential or potentially influential individuals who can contribute in their country to a greater understanding of Australia's policies and institutions. They are likely to be people in positions which deal with issues of direct relevance to Australia's foreign and trade policy interests.

The Overseas Media Visitors Program provides opportunities for foreign media representatives to obtain a better understanding of Australia and its key domestic and international issues. The program also enables governments, their departments, business and community groups and academic institutions the opportunity to promote their interests across a broad spectrum of the Australian profile, including political, economic, social and cultural activities.

Please check regularly for updates/additions.

South Australia State Director, Keith Gardner

Mr Gardner joined the Department of Defence in 1976 and transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 1981. He has been South Australia State Director since November 2009.

Mr Gardner has held a number of positions in Canberra, including Director Estate Management, Director Consular Operations and Director Australia-India Council. He was Director of the Department's Northern Territory Office from 1997 to 2000.

Mr Gardner has had diplomatic assignments in New Delhi (1982-84), Warsaw (1985-87), Beijing (1987-90) and Kingston (1990-92). His last overseas assignment was Ambassador to Nepal from 2003 to 2005.

Born in Adelaide, Mr Gardner holds a bachelor's degree in applied chemistry from the South Australian Institute of Technology. He is married with two adult sons.