During June, "Australia" escorted convoys across the Tasman Sea, then delivered Convoy US11A to Trincomalee in mid-July. The ship was then assigned to the South Atlantic Station. During November, the cruiser sailed to the Kerguelen Islands during searches for German commerce raiders, and after finding evidence of enemy activity, deployed magnetic sea mines in case they returned. As of 2008, the mines were still present. Prompted by the loss of and the deteriorating situation in South-east Asia, "Australia" was ordered on 3 December to hand Convoy WS12X to HMS "Dorsetshire", then make for home. On 29 December, the cruiser was designated Flagship of the Australian Squadron.