US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have welcomed Australia's surprise Liberal-led coalition election win.
With 75 per cent of the vote counted, Scott Morrison's Liberal Nationals were still two seats short of the 76 needed for a majority in parliament on Sunday but will be returned to government.
"Congratulations to Scott on a GREAT WIN," Trump said on Twitter.
The White House said he and Morrison had spoken by phone and "pledged to continue their close co-operation on shared priorities".
The result drew comparisons with Trump's victory in 2016, when the real estate mogul defied polls to defeat Democratic rival Hillary Clinton by winning over the so-called silent majority.
Opinion polls in Australia had all pointed to a Labor victory ahead of Saturday's vote.
Morrison, however, cast himself as the candidate who would work for aspirational voters and the tactic seemed to strike a chord.
"I know that under your leadership the great friendship between Australia and Israel will grow even stronger," Netanyahu said to Morrison on Twitter.
Australia formally recognised west Jerusalem as Israel's capital last year, reversing decades of Middle East policy and following Trump's decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.
Morrison has also been in touch with US Vice President Mike Pence and had contact from the UK.
He was expected to speak to Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday afternoon AEST.
French President Emmanuel Macron and New Zealand Prime Minister have also offered congratulations directly as have former New Zealand prime ministers John Key and Bill English.
