Fed Cup runners-up Australia are waiting to find out their pool opponents for this year’s finals in Hungary.

Australia’s bid to win the prestigious inter-nation event ended in a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat to France in Perth in November, but as losing finalists they are seeded for this year’s tournament in its new-look format.

The main change for the revamped set-up is a new World Group, with countries fighting it out at one location and in one week – this year in Budapest, from April 14-19.

Twelve teams will be split into four round-robin pools of three teams each, the winners of each going through to the semi-finals.

France, as reigning champions, will be the first name drawn into Pool A with Alicia Molik’s Australia team drawn into Pool B. The draw takes place at 18.30 pm local time (0430 AEDT on Wednesday).

Wildcards Czech Republic and Hungary, as hosts, have also been handed a seeding for the new format.

The line-up for the finals draw was confirmed this weekend with Belarus, Belgium, Germany, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland all progressing after winning their respective ties.

Earlier on Tuesday, the draw to see who makes next year’s Fed Cup qualifiers was made in London.

This play-off draw includes those nations who lost in their qualifying matches at the weekend. The play-off winners will get the chance to qualify for the 2021 Finals.

Plays-off draw (to be played home and away):

Poland v Brazil Mexico v Great Britain Serbia v Canada Latvia v Asia/Oceania Nation TBC Japan v Ukraine Romania v Italy Argentina v Kazakhstan Netherlands v Asia/Oceania Nation TBC.