ASEAN-Australia Centre

The ASEAN-Australia Centre was announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in March 2024, and has been operational since 1 July 2024. Based in Canberra, the Centre will build on the Australian Government’s commitment to deepen engagement with Southeast Asia by connecting Australia and Southeast Asia for a peaceful, prosperous and inclusive region. The Centre will support the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and implement recommendations from Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. It will deliver programs across four strategic pillars – Southeast Asia literacy, economic linkages, education and cultural connections. The Centre’s inaugural grant program, aimed at strengthening business, cultural and community connections between Australia and Southeast Asia, will open soon. Programs supported by the Centre will traverse four strategic pillars: Southeast Asia literacy, economic linkages, education and cultural connections. The centre will bring to life the ASEAN-Australia Joint Leaders’ Vision Statement and the Melbourne Declaration that outlines a further 50 years of partnership ambition. Programs will also strengthen business and community connectivity between Australia, ASEAN Member States and, where appropriate, Timor-Leste.