Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is our neighbourhood. It is central to Australia’s economic, security and foreign policy interests and our partnerships are deep and long‑standing. We have worked together in times of crisis, our economic growth is inextricably linked and we have a shared interest in securing our region’s stability.
“Australia and the countries of South-east Asia are strong, independent neighbours. We are friends. We are a community. Together, we will get through this time of change and challenge and be all the stronger for it”.
The Hon Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister, 11 June 2021
Investing in our Southeast Asian partnerships
Southeast Asia is our neighbourhood. We have deep and long-standing partnerships with our Southeast Asian neighbours and share their vision for a peaceful, inclusive and prosperous region. We stand together in times of crisis and Australia is committed to supporting our region’s shared response to, and recovery from, the COVID-19 pandemic.
More about investing in our Southeast Asian partnerships.
Australia’s vaccine response to COVID-19 in Southeast Asia
The Australian Government is committed to supporting access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for the Pacific and Southeast Asia, as part of a shared recovery for our region from the pandemic. This will also contribute to Australia’s own health security and economic recovery.
More about Australia’s vaccine response to COVID-19 in Southeast Asia.
Investing in our economic prosperity
Southeast Asia is one of the fastest-growing regions in the world. The region’s growth has provided significant economic opportunities for Australian businesses and jobs – helping us build a strong, mutually beneficial trade and investment relationship.
More about investing in our economic prosperity.
Comprehensive and Strategic Partnerships
Australia has a number of Comprehensive and Strategic Partnerships with our ASEAN neighbours. These contemporary partnerships stem from long and enduring relationships based on mutual respect and interests spanning political, economic, security, development, maritime, education and people-to-people ties.
More about Australia’s Comprehensive and Strategic Partnerships with our ASEAN neighbours.
Australia’s support for regional architecture
Australia is a member of a number of Southeast Asian regional organisations, through which we work collaboratively with our ASEAN neighbours to address shared challenges.
More about Southeast Asian organisations.
Development cooperation
We are pivoting our development program in Southeast Asia to focus on health security, stability and economic recovery, together with our partners.
More about development cooperation in Southeast Asia.
Australia-ASEAN Council
The Australia-ASEAN Council (AAC) was launched on 8 September 2015 to generate opportunities for Australian business, education, science, innovation and the arts to work with partners in Southeast Asia.
More about the Australia-ASEAN Council.
Australia-Indonesia Institute
The Australia-Indonesia Institute (AII) was established by the Australian Government in 1989 to contribute to a more broadly based and enduring relationship between Australia and Indonesia and to project positive images of Australia and Indonesia in each other's country.
More about the Australia-Indonesia Institute.
People connections
The Australian Government has established cultural councils, internships, scholarships and short courses, mounted awareness raising public diplomacy campaigns and facilitated Australians volunteering abroad, all measures designed to strengthen and celebrate our people-to-people connections in Southeast Asia.
More about people connections.
