Before the vote, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott had warned that a failure to secure a seat would be viewed as an embarrassing defeat for the government.

This morning, he said he now welcomed the win but noted it came at a significant cost.

''It was an expensive win, and I think it probably owes as much to Kevin Rudd as to Julia Gillard, but nevertheless, a win's a win,'' Mr Abbott told Channel Nine.

''Let's hope we put the next two years on the Security Council to good use.''

However, Senator Carr said this morning $25 million was a modest amount to pay for Australia securing the endorsement of 140 countries out of 193.

He said the Coalition should be positive about the result, which he described as a, ''big, decisive, juicy win''.

''This is an unequivocal win for Australia and we couldn't have done it without the Prime Minister's lobbying,'' Senator Carr said.

''Julia Gillard engaged in intensive diplomacy with heads of government and heads of state and made a big hit in the UN last month.''

Senator Carr said the result was a reflection of Australia's work in places such as East Timor, and aid workers, diplomats and military personnel could take credit for the victory.

''It's the world saying 'we see Australia as a good country, a fine global citizen','' he said.

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd, who initiated the campaign, issued a statement through a spokesman saying the win was ''a credit to the country''.

''Mr Rudd congratulates the entire Australian diplomatic service who performed with total professionalism in securing a great result for Australia in a highly competitive race,'' the spokesman said.

''Mr Rudd also congratulates the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs for their strong and successful advocacy for Australia.

''Finally, Mr Rudd wanted to thank all those members of the international community who have placed their confidence in Australia to uphold the global rules-based order.''

Ms Gillard received rapturous applause at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade headquarters in Canberra this morning, as she welcomed the news Australia had won its bid.

''This group of people knows that it's really hard and it takes a lot of work,'' she said.

Ms Gillard thanked a long list of people involved in the successful bid, including Mr Rudd, who had the ''foresight'' to launch Australia's diplomatic push five years ago, and the tenacity to pursue it when foreign affairs minister.

Ms Gillard thanked former foreign affairs minister Stephen Smith and Trade Minister Craig Emerson, as well as foreign affairs minister Bob Carr, who is still in New York.

''I think the fact that we came through is not only a tribute to Australia's diplomacy but to Australia's reputation around the world.''

An ebullient Mr Emerson took to Twitter to express his delight with the result this morning.

''We won! Australia wins UN Security Council seat. Got 140 of 193 votes. Testament to Australia's standing in the world.''

Kim Beazley tweeted: ''As the formidable Raelene Boyle said when Cathy Freeman won the Olympic 400m in Sydney, 'What a relief'.''

Aid agency Oxfam Australia also welcomed the news, with executive director Andrew Hewett saying it was an ''historic opportunity to help improve the lives of people affected by conflict and insecurity''.

He said given Australia had just two years as a non-permanent member of the council, it should move quickly to implement its agenda.

"Australia needs to hit the ground running with a clear vision if it wants to make a real difference to the peace and security of women, men and children around the world."

This, he said, should include working to ensure the Security Council better protected civilians affected by armed conflict, and addressing the global spread of conventional arms and their negative impact on peace and security.

with AAP

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