Australia will be relegated to bottom Group 4 at the next Sudirman Cup after losing 3-1 to Sweden in a Group 3 playoff in Guangzhou Thursday.

Meanwhile, Sweden retains its berth in Group 3 at the world mixed team championship in 2011.

Australia headed into Thursday's playoff after dropping all three group matches - 4-1 to India, 5-0 to Scotland and 3-2 to Ukraine.

Australia should have played in Group 4 but was promoted to Group 3 as Finland didn't take part.

Australia is ranked 12th overall in the 11th Sudirman Cup.

(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2009)