If you are a Filipino based in Australia, you can go to the Philippine Embassy located in Canberra for local services such as passport renewal, visa-related matters, NBI Clearance application, solemnization of marriage, and so on. The Philippine Overseas Labor Office, also known as POLO, is also located within the building. POLO can assist you with any legal matters and emergencies.
Also Read: Philippine Consulate General in Sydney, Australia
Knowing where the Philippine Embassy is located will help you a lot and can improve your stay in Australia. It is essential that you know who to contact in case of emergencies. During crisis and pandemic, you need the help of the government to save you from the situation.
Below are the important details you need to know about the Philippine Embassy in Australia. Please be guided on the list of services, the things you should do when visiting the embassy, opening hours, contact information, and map location. We hope this helps.
History – Embassy of the Philippines Canberra, Australia
The Embassy of the Philippines located in Canberra, Australia was built from 1962 to 1964. It was inaugurated on June 12, 1964. When you visit Australia, the embassy and the residence of the ambassador are in separate buildings. You can see a sneak peek of the buildings on the official website of the embassy. Its mission, like other Philippine embassies around the world, is to promote the national interest of the Philippines while conducting bilateral relations with Australia. This is so the embassy can contribute to the wellness, growth, security, and progress of the Filipino people and the nation.
As part of the objectives of the Philippine Embassy in Australia, it targets to support the attainment of national security, the reduction of poverty in the Philippines, and sustainable development and progress. The embassy is likewise mandated to protect and promote the rights and wellbeing of the Filipino people who are currently in Australia, Nauru, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. The concurrent jurisdiction of the embassy in Canberra covers Nauru, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, other than Australia. Since 2018, the embassy’s ambassador is Ma. Hellen Barber De La Vega. She was appointed by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Staff & Activities
The current ambassador of the Embassy of the Philippines in Canberra, Australia is Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega. She is a career officer of the Foreign Affairs. She served in various positions when she was in the home office. In fact, she acted as the Executive Director of the Office of Asia and Pacific (ASPAC) from August 2007 to September 2008, the Philippine Representative to the ASEAN High-Level Task Force, Senior Special Assistant to the Undersecretary for Policy from 2014 to 205, and many more. Before she came to Australia to serve as an ambassador, she worked as the Assistant Secretary in the Office of ASEAN Affairs. She was also the Director-General of the ASEAN-Philippine National Secretariat from 2015 to 2018. Her experience as a public official working for foreign affairs indeed helped her find an opportunity in the embassy in Australia.
Before Ambassador Hellen, these are the former ambassadors who served the Filipino people in Australia:
- E. Minda Calaguian-Cruz (2016-2018)
- E. Belen F. Anota (2011-2015 )
- E. Ernesto De Leon (2006-2010)
- E. Cristina G. Ortega (2004-2006)
- E. Willy C. Gaa (2001-2003)
- E. Delia Domingo-Albert (1994-2001)
- E. Rora Navarro-Tolentino (1989-1994)
- E. Romualdo A. Ong (1986-1989)
- E. Monico R. Vicente (1982-1986)
- E. Leticia Ramos-Shahani (1978-1980)
- E. Gregorio Abad (1971-1977)
- E. Mariano Ezpeleta (1960-1970)
- E. Dr. Jose Imperial (1956-1960)
- E. Dr. Roberto Regala (1950-1956)
Services Offered
- Consular Outreach Program
- Passport
- Adult New Applicant
- Adult Renewal Applicant
- Minor New/Renewal Applicant
- Travel Document
- Authenticating Documents Made Simpler by the Apostille
- Civil Registry
- Solemnization of Marriage
- Report of Marriage
- Report of Birth
- Report of Death and/or Consular Mortuary Certificate
- Dual Citizenship
- Visa
- Non-immigrant
- Immigrant
- Waiver of Exclusion Ground
- Certificate of Not the Same Person
- Balikbayan Program
- Schedule of Consular Services and Fees
- Consular Service Fees and Turnaround Time
- List of Other Services
- Transport of Pets
- NBI Clearance
- Renewal of Philippine Driver’s License
- Securing a J1-Waiver
- PH Requirements for Medical Missions
- Departure Formalities
- Philippine Overseas Labor Office
- Issuance of Overseas Employment Certificate
- OWWA Membership Program
- Employment Contract Verification and Authentication
- Implementation of POEA Rules on Direct Hiring
Tips When Visiting the Embassy
1. Secure all the documents you need.
Before you leave your home, make sure that you have all the documents you need such as your passport, IDs, and other papers. It is important that you check them even before you visit the embassy to avoid inconvenience. Also, don’t forget to bring photocopies. The personnel might ask you to show the original documents but you will need to submit the photocopies only. If you are availing of multiple services, bring more than one photocopy of the documents needed.
2. Dress appropriately.
Dressing appropriately is needed as well. You can’t wear sando and short because you will not be allowed to enter the embassy. You need to look casual or smart whenever you are visiting a government office. Remember that you are not in the mall or at the beach. You should respect the government by wearing proper attire.
3. Look for the designated parking.
When bringing your car, ensure that you know where to park. Most of the time, parking in front of the embassy is not allowed. There are parking slots on the side of the building. You will know the location of the parking by asking anyone from the embassy. Whenever you are visiting the embassy, it’s recommended that you ask someone who has been there regarding the process, location, and parking. It’s better to get information from someone who has first-hand experience going to the embassy. It also helps so that you will not spend too much time getting lost.
4. Be on time.
Take note of the opening hours of the embassy. You need to be there on time if you are planning to avail of the embassy’s services. If you are getting multiple services, you need to get there early so that you can complete all the requirements and submit them in one go. Else, you will spend more than a day for availing of the services you need. Also, if you want to finish early, go there as early as 10:00 AM. You don’t know when the embassy is crowded. You need to get there first before everyone else to avoid long hours of waiting.
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 2:45 PM
Contact Information
Embassy of the Philippines in Canberra, Australia
Contact Person: H.E. (Ms.) Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Address: 1 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, A.C.T. 2600, P.O. Box 3297, Manuka, A.C.T. 2603
Telephone Number: (+61-2) 6273-2535; 6273-2536
Fax Number: (+61-2) 6273-3984
Duty Office Number: (+61) 4087-35383
Email: canberra.pe@dfa.gov.ph / cbrpe@philembassy.org.au
Website: www.canberrape.dfa.gov.ph / www.philembassy.org.au
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/PHinAustralia/
Google Map Location
In case you are wondering where the Philippine Embassy in Australia is located, below is a map guide for you: