Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says their "first tranche" of sanctions will take effect from the end of March.
They will target specific Russian individuals and corporations "who are at the heart of this bullying and aggressive behaviour".
"The reason we're doing this is there must be a price for the unprovoked, unlawful, unwarranted, unjustified attacks and threats and intimidation that has been imposed by Russia on Ukraine," Morrison tells reporters in Sydney on Thursday.
Ukrainians currently in Australia and with visas that expire by 30 June will have them extended by six months.
Morrison says Australia is co-ordinating its response with allies, particularly the US and UK.
Source:
BBC