Office of the Pacific

The Office of the Pacific (OTP) was established in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in 2019 to enhance whole-of-government coordination and to drive implementation of Pacific-led, Australia-backed solutions.

Eight people in formal attire wearing green garlands stand in front of a building labeled 'KUSTOM BUNGALOW.' One person shakes hands with another holding a staff, while a wooden statue is visible on the left. The building features colorful, patterned walls, suggesting a ceremonial or cultural event. — Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Assistant Minister for Immigration, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Head of the Office of the Pacific Elizabeth Peak and Ambassador for First Nations People Justin Mohamed visit to the Republic of Vanuatu on Thursday 22 May 2025. Credit: DFAT.

Officials from across Australian Government agencies are embedded in OTP to support the delivery of a wide range of initiatives in our region including on labour mobility, infrastructure, climate change, economic growth, security and regional integration.

As the Pacific’s largest and most comprehensive development partner, our investments are designed to deliver transformative change to improve the lives and livelihoods of all Pacific peoples.

As the region’s security partner of choice, we are backing in Pacific-led policing, disaster preparedness and defence arrangements – enabling Pacific security to be provided by the Pacific family, assuring the region’s stability and safeguarding our sovereignty.

And as the Pacific’s largest economic partner, we are supporting growing markets by reducing the barriers to trade and partnering with local businesses, while continuing more than 40 years of tariff free access into Australia.

Australia's First Nations People were our first diplomats, traders and peacebuilders. Their rich heritage, insights and experiences offer an authentic channel for dialogue with our Pacific partners. We value opportunities to share generations of traditional knowledge and wisdom, and approaches to building social resilience, connection and caring for land and sea, including through our development program and First Nations Foreign Policy.

It is in all our interests to build a stronger Pacific family, and a region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous.

Fact sheets

These fact sheets provide an overview of the key ways we are working together, guided by the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent endorsed by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in July 2022.

ight people in colorful attire stand on a sandy area with trees, flags, and decorated poles in the background. The scene appears to be part of a cultural or community event, with chairs and other attendees visible behind them — A Pacific delegation led by the Head of the Office of the Pacific, Elizabeth Peak with representatives from Fiji, Kiribati, Palau, Papua New Guinea, and Tuvalu attend the Garma Festival in the Northern Territory from 1 to 4 August 2025. Credit: DFAT.

Eighteen people in matching blue patterned shirts pose on a wooden deck with a tropical ocean view and palm tree in the background. They are arranged in two rows, suggesting a formal group photo at an outdoor event. — Official photograph of Pacific leaders at the 54th Pacific Island Forum Leaders’ Meeting held in Honiara, Solomon Islands in September 2025. Credit: PMO.

Eleven people in business and traditional attire pose for a group photo in a formal indoor setting with large windows, flags, and decorative elements in the background, suggesting an official or ceremonial event. — Prime Minister of Tuvalu, the Hon Feleti Penitala Teo OBE and Head of the Office of the Pacific, Elizabeth Peak, at the opening of the new Tuvalu High Commission in Canberra on 28 July 2025. Credit: DFAT.

Head of the Office of the Pacific

Ms Peak currently serves as Deputy Secretary and Head of the Office of the Pacific in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Prior she was Deputy Head and First Assistant Secretary, Pacific Strategy Division (2020-2023), co-Head of the COVID Development Taskforce and First Assistant Secretary Human Development and Governance Division (2019-2020).

Ms Peak has served overseas as Minister Counsellor (Economic) at the Australian Embassy in Beijing (2016-19) and Counsellor at the Australian High Commission in Ottawa (2006-08).

Ms Peak has represented Australia in negotiation of free trade agreements and in the United Nations on climate change, including as Assistant Secretary, Free Trade Agreements Division (2014-16), Assistant Secretary, Multilateral Climate Negotiations (2010-11), Director of the Office of International Climate Law (2008 2010). Prior to joining DFAT, Ms Peak was a lawyer at Freehills and Dwyer Durack.

Ms Peak holds an Executive Master of Business Administration from Kellogg-HKUST (2014), Master of Laws (International) from ANU (2009) and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland (1996).

Elizabeth Peak, Head of the Office of the Pacific

Countries, economies and regions

Stakeholder engagement

Development

Travel advice

International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate

Passports

24-hour consular emergency helpline

Visas

The Pacific

Office of the Pacific

Fact sheets

Head of the Office of the Pacific