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The British Government will host Australian diplomats in about 12 of its embassies across Africa for the two years that Australia is on the United Nations Security Council.
UK foreign secretary William Hague says the two countries are also working on a longer term arrangement that would involve sharing diplomatic premises around the world.
Mr Hague, who is in Australia for annual ministerial talks, has spoken of the need for strong diplomatic ties between the two countries as the international community faces what will be a crucial period in the Middle East.
"We could see a perfect storm of crises converging if the conflict in Syria continues, the Middle East peace process remains stalled, and if Iran will not enter into meaningful negotiations over its nuclear program," Mr Hague told an audience at the Menzies Research Centre in Sydney.
"Like Australia, we believe a peaceful political transition in Syria would be the best way forward for that country.
"But if the killing and violence continues and there is no diplomatic breakthrough, the international community must be ready to step up its response, including looking at ways to send life-saving help and assistance to the Syrian opposition.
"2013 cannot be the year in which another 60,000 Syrian civilians perish."
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd this week called on the international community to consider arming the Syrian rebels, in an effort to bring an end to the bloody conflict.
But the idea was rejected by Foreign Minister Bob Carr, who said Australia would focus on providing humanitarian assistance.
Mr Hague has also urged the United States to refocus its efforts on brokering a Middle East peace deal, saying "the situation is urgent, and the consequences of failure extremely grave".
Mr Hague used his speech to talk of Britain's increasing focus on Asia, and its commitment to fostering closer ties with Asian nations.
He says there will be eight new diplomatic posts across Asia by 2015, and a boost in the number of embassy staff at existing missions.
Mr Hague says the UK and Australia can work together in the region to support stability, fight corruption, and promote trade, adding that Britain was "looking East" as never before in modern times.
"We're not engaged in an effort to contain China - we all need China to continue to grow and to play a responsible and active role in international affairs and in its region," he said.
He also rejected the idea that Australia should have to choose between its traditional western alliances and its Asian neighbours, describing the situation as "mutually reinforcing".
"Britain is a partner for Australia in the Asia Pacific, as well as globally."
The Federal Government last year released an Asian Century white paper, aimed at identifying opportunities within Asia's economic and social transformation.
It identified the need for more Australians to learn Asian languages, and for businesses to connect better with Asian consumers.
Topics: foreign-affairs, government-and-politics, federal-government, world-politics, australia, england, united-kingdom
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