Foreign minister Julie Bishop says Australia is ready to work constructively with "whomever the American people chose as their president", including Donald Trump.
"Australia is considered a strong and reliable ally of the United States, and I expect that a Trump presidency would continue to regard Australia in that light," Bishop said before the results were announced on Wednesday.
Bishop told Sky News she's been in touch with both camps in the US election, and followed their election policies, but doesn't think either candidate will have too much impact on Australia if elected US president.
"The Australian government will work constructively with whomever the American people, in their wisdom, chose to be their president," she said.
"The Australian people should be reassured that the Australian government has been engaging closely with both teams, the Clinton team and the Trump team, to put us in the best position possible to focus on our national interest and our economic interest as they are affected by the United States."
When a result is announced, Bishop said the government will be sure to reach out and "very early, very quickly and in the most constructive way" talk about the strategic interests that the United States has in the Asia-Pacific.
"In Australia we have a particular economic strategic interest that can be affected by a change of administration. The United States is our major security ally, the United States is our largest foreign direct investor, our second largest trading partner."
"So, it's important for the Australian government be ready to work with whomever becomes the next president of the United States, and at this stage it would be Donald Trump."
Bishop said that during the US election campaign, the government had been in touch with both the Clinton and Trump teams, to ensure Australia will have a "close and constructive and productive relationship" with the new US administration.
But, Bishop added, Barrack Obama remains in the Oval Office until midday on January 20th, so Australia will continue to work with his administration during the transition period.
The foreign minister refused to say whether Australians should be nervous about a Trump presidency and wouldn't comment on his Asia-Pacific policies, including labelling China a "currency manipulator".
"Should it be a Trump administration, we must see the opportunities for Australia to engage closely at an early stage, to ensure that the administration focusses on our region and importance of US leadership and US presence in the Asia-Pacific."
.@billshortenmp loving the @rachdurrant @HillaryClinton cupcakes
Bishop attacked Labor leader Bill Shorten for his strong anti-Trump comments, saying it's "deeply incredible" that he made such offensive personal comments during the campaign.
Shorten described Trump as "barking mad", and earlier this month said Trump’s comments about women made him “entirely unsuitable” to be president.
Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull refused to endorse either candidate during the campaign, but minister Christopher Pyne said on election eve that he hoped Hillary Clinton would win as that would be the "best outcome for Australia".
“She does support free trade, she does support the US being deeply engaged in the Asian region, which is critical to us. She understands America’s place in the world and we need to have a strong United States," he told The Project.
“I don’t agree with everything Hillary Clinton says but I hope that she wins tomorrow because it’s important for our country.”
Pauline Hanson, leader of the anti-immigration party One Nation, offered her congratulations to the possible president-elect, saying her door "will always be open" to him.
@realDonaldTrump Mr President my door will always be open. Congrats on behalf of Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party of OZ. #MAGA #auspol