Australia is all but a shoo-in to win a seat on the United Nations human rights council after one of its two competitors pulled out.
France and Spain were vying with Australia for the two open seats, but French diplomats decided last week to delay their country's bid.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop hopes Australia will be able to serve a term from 2018-20 on the council with distinction.
"There's been significant support for us," she told ABC TV on Sunday.
"There still has to be a vote in October, but at this stage, the two vacancies should be filled by Australia and Spain."
Ms Bishop said Australia had been encouraged by like-minded countries to run for the seat.
"I have been personally delighted with the level of support that Australia has received from around the world for our bid to serve on the UN human rights council," she said.
"We certainly will have a very vocal voice on the issue of human rights and we'll bring to it the pragmatic, principled approach, that we bring to all our international relations and engagements."
