The history of relations between Russia and Australia spans over two centuries. On June 16, 1807, the Russian sloop "Neva" commanded by L. A. Gagemeister arrived at Port Jackson, now known as Sydney, en route to Russian colonies in North America. In the first half of the 19th century, Russian ships exploring Antarctica under the guidance of admirals F. F. Bellingshausen, M. P. Lazarev, I. F. Krusenstern, and M. N. Vasilyev also visited Australia. Nikolai Nikolayevich Miklukho-Maklay became the first Russian scientist to introduce Russia to Australia.

After the Crimean War, with the restoration of Russian-British trade relations, the first Russian consulates began to appear in Australia. Representatives of British commercial circles approached the Russian Consulate General in London with a proposal to open consulates in Australia to develop trade. In March 1857, J. Damion and E. Paul were appointed as Russian vice-consuls in Melbourne and Sydney.

By the end of the 19th century, Russia was actively expanding its network of diplomatic missions, strengthening its political and trade positions. In July 1893, A. D. Putiata was appointed the first resident consul in Melbourne. By the early 20th century, the network of Russian consulates in Australia covered Sydney, Brisbane, Darwin, Hobart, Newcastle, Perth, and Port Pirie. M. M. Ustinov became the first General Consul of Russia in Australia in 1903.

After the October Revolution of 1917, official relations were severed but were restored during World War II. However, until the 1990s, relations remained complicated.

In the post-Soviet period, relations between Russia and Australia began to develop more dynamically, with an expansion of high-level political contacts.

October 10, 2013 marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.