London, England, 24 October 2012 | AAP

The Australian Davis Cup team’s quest to return to the elite World Group in 2014 will start with an away tie against Taiwan in February.

The Aussie team was forced back into regional qualifying next year after losing 3-2 in a World Group Play-off tie against Germany in Hamburg last month.

Australia has not played in the elite 16-nation World Group since 2007, having last won the prestigious team competition in 2003.

The Asia/Oceania Zone Group I tie in Taiwan will be held on 1-3 February 2013, with venue, surface and teams to be unveiled closer to that date.

Other nations in this group include Uzbekistan, China, Korea, India, Indonesia and Japan.

The draw was conducted at the International Tennis Federation’s London headquarters overnight.