Australia is scheduled to set up their high commission in Tuvalu by the end of the year.
The new mission was announced as part of Canberra's May Budget and officials now say that Foreign Minister Julie Bishop issued instructions to have it operational by January 1, 2019.
It would be only the second foreign mission on the Pacific atoll in its 40 years of independence.
Funafuti, Tuvalu Photo: Supplied
Taiwan is the only nation to have a permanent presence in Tuvalu.
Australian Foreign Affairs officials are in Tuvalu this week to discuss the new mission.
The High Commission is also expected to house a New Zealand diplomatic presence.