Australia-Korea Foundation

Introduction to the Australia-Korea Foundation

The Australia-Korea Foundation (AKF) was established by the Australian Government in 1992 to promote bilateral relations between Korea and Australia. The objectives of the Foundation are to:

• increase public awareness of Australia in Korea and of Korea in Australia;
• develop partnerships in areas of shared interest in the bilateral, regional and global context; and
• increase Australians' capacity to effectively engage with Korea.

The AKF offers annual grant funding to organisations and individuals to support projects or activities which advance Australia's engagement with Korea, including exchanges, partnerships and other collaborations in the general fields of business, education, academia, arts/culture and society.

AKF brochure [PDF 960 KB]

Brief history of Australia-Korea Foundation

Following head-of-government-level visits in 1988-89, the Governments of Australia and the Republic of Korea agreed to establish a group of influential members from the business, academic, cultural and media sectors of Australia and Korea to identify new directions and areas of cooperation in the relationship between the two countries.

The group – the Australia-Korea Forum – subsequently met in Canberra and in Sydney and brought down a series of recommendations aimed at broadening and strengthening bilateral ties, including a recommendation that each side establish a foundation to promote the relationship. This culminated in the establishment of the Foundation by the Australian Government in 1992.

Order constituting the Australia-Korea Foundation