Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will head to Papua New Guinea as Australia looks to wrap up a security deal with its closest neighbour.
Australia has also pledged to help make PNG an attractive place for mining and resources in an effort to boost the local economy.
"We're keenly aware of how much the mining and petroleum sectors contribute to Papua New Guinea's economy," Pacific Minister Pat Conroy told a mining and petroleum investment conference on Monday.
"This, of course, is another area of close connection between Australia and Papua New Guinea. We are both countries with abundant natural resources."
Mr Albanese will touch down in Port Moresby on December 12 for a two-day visit, on the first night of which he will attend a dinner with his counterpart James Marape.
He will then travel with his host to Wewak on PNG's north coast to visit the resting place of the nation's founding prime minister.
It's the first time an Australian prime minister will visit PNG since 2018.
"Australia and Papua New Guinea are close neighbours and even closer friends," Mr Albanese said.
"We also have a shared vision for the future, a more prosperous, unified and secure region."
Trade, economic recovery, infrastructure, defence, policing and tackling climate change will all be on the agenda during the visit.
Australia is also looking to clinch a security deal that will see defence personnel from both countries work together more closely.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australia wants to progress the deal as soon as possible, as Canberra works with the United States and other allies to counter China's growing influence in the region.
