Relationship dossier
Australia
Myanmar
Relationship assessment
Australian aid and humanitarian engagement coexist with sanctions and serious tensions following Myanmar's 2021 military coup.
Australia toward Myanmar
-15Australia has provided development and humanitarian assistance to Myanmar. After the 2021 military coup, Australia condemned the takeover, imposed targeted sanctions on military figures, and suspended defence cooperation.
Myanmar toward Australia
-30Myanmar's military authorities detained Australian economist Sean Turnell after the 2021 coup and later released him. His detention created a serious consular and diplomatic dispute with Australia.
Overall relationship
-20The relationship combines sustained Australian assistance with substantial political friction over military rule and the detention of an Australian citizen. Sanctions and suspended defence cooperation mark a sharp deterioration, while humanitarian engagement remains a feature of the bilateral relationship.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Australia has combined development and humanitarian assistance to Myanmar with criticism of the military takeover, targeted sanctions on military figures, and the suspension of defence cooperation. Relations were further strained by Myanmar's detention of Australian economist Sean Turnell after the 2021 coup. The relationship therefore includes practical assistance alongside significant political and consular friction.
Areas of tension
- Australia's opposition to Myanmar's 2021 military coup and subsequent military rule
- Myanmar's detention of Australian economist Sean Turnell
- Australian targeted sanctions on Myanmar military figures
- Suspension of Australian defence cooperation
Key developments
Myanmar's military seized power in a coup, prompting condemnation and policy changes by Australia.
Myanmar's military authorities detained Australian economist Sean Turnell; he was later released.
Australia imposed targeted sanctions on Myanmar military figures and suspended defence cooperation following the coup.
Major uncertainties
- The current scope and implementation of Australian sanctions and suspended defence cooperation are unclear.
- The extent of direct cooperation between Myanmar's authorities and the Australian government is unclear.