Australia and the OECD
July 2011
Better policies for better lives
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is one of the world's largest and most reliable sources of statistical, economic and social data. It is a key forum for governments and stakeholders to address policy challenges and identify best practices. Australia has been an active member since 1971.
The OECD provides independent analysis which is used by governments and businesses to help them make decisions. These decisions help improve the economic and social well-being of citizens in its member countries and globally.
Ministers of OECD member countries meet every year in Paris to review current work and set future priorities. The OECD also collaborates with and contributes to work in other international forums, such as the G8 and G20 meetings.
OECD membership status
Full members
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States
Accession
Russia (membership pending)
Enhanced engagement countries
Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, South Africa
OECD timeline
1961 The OECD is established in Paris.
1966 Australia joins the Development Assistance Committee.
1971 Australia joins the OECD as its 23rd member.
1980 Australia's Justice Michael Kirby plays a key role in the OECD's adoption of new privacy guidelines on the collection and management of personal information by governments and businesses.
1989 Australia becomes a founding member of the Financial Action Task Force—an organisation to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
1992–1993 Australia holds the presidency of the Financial Action Task Force. The OECD Ministerial Council reaffirms 'the importance of co-operative global action to combat money laundering'.
1994 Prime Minister Keating addresses a large gathering of ministers and NGOs at the OECD–Australia conference on cities and the new global economy.
1995 Australia's national competition policy inspires the OECD's competition assessment toolkit, now used in 14 languages worldwide.
2002 Australia is heavily involved in establishing the Working Party on Small and Medium Enterprises and Entrepreneurship.
2008 Australia signs the Seoul Declaration for the Internet Economy, which recognises the increasingly critical role of the internet.
2011 The OECD celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Australia's role
Government officials from various agencies represent Australia at the OECD in Paris, where they contribute to the organisation's work. Australia currently chairs the Health, Statistics and Fiscal Affairs committees.
Australia takes an interest in a wide range of OECD issues — economic analysis, trade and structural reform; taxation, employment and social policy; health, education, and the environment; digital and cyber issues; science and technology; and development assistance.
The OECD's research and recommendations are useful tools in Australia's domestic policy-making process, helping to inform major decisions. OECD work has guided current Australian Government policies and programs in areas such as employment, pensions and education.
Good policy recommendations, backed up by experience and research, are also invaluable to developing economies. Australia is a strong supporter of OECD's increasing involvement with the 'enhanced engagement countries' (see map) as well as the countries of South East Asia. The participation and views of these countries is important because of their increasing weight in the global economy.
I offer my sincere congratulations to the OECD for 50 years of contributing to global growth, co-operation and stability. The OECD has played a key role in promoting values such as economic best practice, trade liberalisation and sustainable development that are vital to the world's economic future. I wish the OECD continuing success in the years and decades ahead.
The Hon Julia Gillard MP, Prime Minister of Australia
OECD quick stats
Established in 1961 and comprises approximately 2,500 staff
Membership: 34 developed countries
Members make up 61.6 per cent of global trade flows
Members make up 68.7 per cent of global GDP
Populations of member countries make up 17.9 per cent of the world's people
For more information visit www.dfat.gov.au/oecd
