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About the Canberra Fellowships Program
The Canberra Fellowships Program (CFP) is a prestigious program that hosts emerging leaders from the Indo-Pacific in Australia through tailored small-group visits. The CFP provides unparalleled opportunities for delegates to develop people-to-people links with counterparts; support opportunities for deeper cooperation on shared interests; and builds the Indo-Pacific’s understanding of Australia. This important program showcases the best of contemporary Australia with thoughtful cultural elements and experiences in addition to a balanced program of meetings exploring Australia’s policy interests, perspectives, and priorities.
Previous visits
Cambodia – December 2024
Senior Cambodian officials gained practical insights into Australia’s cybersecurity framework and the development of cyber and data protection legislation. Delegates exchanged views with experts from the National Office of Cyber Security, the Australian Cyber Network and UNSW’S IFCYBER Institute. A Sydney Opera House performance by the Australian Ballet showcased some of the unique cultural experiences offered in Australia.
Solomon Islands – November 2024
Emerging leaders from Solomon Islands’ government agencies and state-owned enterprises participated in a critical infrastructure and asset management program, helping to guide economic growth outcomes. Delegates engaged in site visits to the Port of Brisbane and the Prospect Water Filtration Plant, attended a roundtable with AIFFP counterparts, and met with executives from Infrastructure NSW.
Cook Islands – October 2024
Leaders from Cook Islands’ government agencies met with Australian counterparts to share policy perspectives across foreign affairs, security, health, and tourism. A visit to Uluru and a meeting with the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress highlighted the significance of First Nations history and voices to delegates.
Vietnam – October 2024
Six senior and emerging leaders from the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics visited Canberra and Sydney to meet with Australian government officials, MPs, think tanks and researchers to discuss energy security and the energy transition. The delegates enjoyed seeing Sydney Harbour by boat and a native wildlife encounter in Canberra.
Maldives – September 2024
Senior leaders from independent integrity institutions of Maldives visited Melbourne, Canberra, and Perth to build institutional linkages with Australian federal and state counterparts. Delegates discussed good governance and resilience with academia, learned about Indigenous Australian culture, and met the Maldivian diaspora.
Malaysia – September 2024
A cross-party delegation of emerging political leaders from Malaysia visited Canberra, Brisbane and Gold Coast to share perspectives with senior officials and politicians and gain a deeper understanding of Australia’s system of governance and foreign policy settings. The program also deepened parliamentary links and cooperation between Australia and Malaysia.
India – August 2024
Biosecurity officials from India collaborated with Australian counterparts through technical knowledge exchanges and site visits. These showcased Australia’s biosecurity operations, facilities and systems ahead of the 3rd Australian Biosecurity Symposium, thereby strengthening cooperation on improving biosecurity and productivity outcomes.
Thailand – August 2024
Civil servants and political party representatives from Thailand discussed good parliamentary and executive governance and accountability mechanisms during this program. Assistant Foreign Minister Watts and government officials underlined the importance that Australia places on its relationships in Southeast Asia.
Timor-Leste – August 2024
Five female parliamentarians from Timor-Leste met with high-level officials, including the Governor General and Australian MPs, in a program focused on women’s leadership and gender equality. Engagements in Darwin underlined the depth of people-to-people links and the dynamism of the Timorese diaspora.
New Zealand – June 2024
Prominent journalists from New Zealand engaged with Ministers and senior government officials on foreign, defence, economic and trade, climate and energy policies and First Nations people, and Pacific partnerships. Site visits to QUT’s advanced battery facility, Majura Solar Farm and Hydrogen Park SA highlighted Australia’s efforts to become a renewable energy superpower. Delegates also visited the RAAF Edinburgh base in Adelaide.
Taiwan – May 2024
Four leading Indigenous policy leaders from Taiwan visited Melbourne, Canberra and Thursday Island to explore community engagement. This was complemented by government and non-government meetings with the National Indigenous Australians Agency and the Torres Strait Regional Authority reflecting the strength of First Nations advocacy in Australia.
Papua New Guinea - April 2024
Senior officials from Papua New Guinean government agencies and state-owned enterprises visited Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane on a program focused on critical infrastructure and public-private partnerships for infrastructure development. The program featured roundtables with government, the private sector, think tanks and academia. Delegates also participated in valuable cultural exchanges during a tour of Cross River Rail and in engagements with Australia Awards Scholars.
Sri Lanka – April 2024
Prominent public sector leaders from Sri Lanka exchanged insights and expertise on governance and economic reform with their Australian counterparts and strengthened people-to-people links. Delegates met with Assistant Foreign Minister Watts, a range of academics, think tanks, and relevant government agencies including the Reserve Bank of Australia, the Australian Taxation Office, the Productivity Commission, and the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance.
Japan – April 2024
Senior Japanese parliamentarians participated in a program focused on economic security and national security in meetings with government, the private sector and academia. The delegation met senior Ministers and government agencies including Treasury, Australian Cyber Security Centre, and ONI. Their visit reinforced our deep bilateral ties and highlighted expanding areas of cooperation and investment.
Solomon Islands – March 2024
Ten emerging public sector leaders from across the Solomon Islands Government visited Brisbane, Canberra and Sydney to strengthen people-to-people links and exchange views with senior Australian leaders in government, the private sector, think tanks and academia on development assistance, trade, and investment ties.
Thailand – March 2024
Emerging female political leaders from Thailand, drawn from both government and opposition discussed gender equality in politics, political leadership and governance. It featured meetings with senior Ministers and Senators — including the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Chair of the Thailand-Australia Parliamentary Friendship Group.
Brunei – March 2024
Bruneian policy makers, led by Head of the Brunei Climate Change Office, Zaiem Halbi, discussed the energy transition, renewable energy, and clean technology research with the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, senior government officials, NGOs, think tanks and private sector representatives.
French Pacific – February 2024
Political and public service leaders from French Polynesia and New Caledonia discussed regional cooperation and climate change with senior government officials, policy think tanks and universities to deepen shared understandings of the regional environment and explore opportunities for further bilateral cooperation. The program also included a Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial and an Indigenous Australian Walking Tour.
Palau – January 2024
Elected members and government officials from Palau participated in a program that deepened their understanding of Australia's national security and intelligence community. Australia and Palau continue to deepen bonds as we celebrate our 30 years of diplomatic ties.
Right: Dr Stella Quimbo at SBS Filipino. Credit: SBS
Philippines – January 2024
Congresswoman Dr Stella Quimbo, Member of the 19th Congress of the Philippines, engaged with Australian counterparts to discuss trade, investment and sustainable growth. Meetings with senior Australian ministers and officials highlighted shared positive visions. A meeting with SBS Filipino journalists showcased the diversity of Australia and the successes of the Filipino diaspora.
Cambodia – December 2023
Senior government officials from Cambodia engaged on security and strategic policy; infrastructure, investment and trade diversification. Meetings with the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, senior Federal and State officials, strategic policy think tanks, and business and investment groups helped to build understanding and expand our bilateral relationship.
Laos – October 2023
H.E. Thongsavanh Phomvihane (Chairman of the Committee of External Relations of the Party Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party) and senior government officials participated in a program that demonstrated the breadth of our bilateral ties, including development cooperation particularly through Australia Awards and the Mekong Australia Partnership. The delegation met the Minister for Foreign Affairs where principals signed an MOU to establish the Laos-Australia Friendship Association.
India – October 2023
Indian parliamentarians visited Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, and Adelaide on a program focused on women’s leadership and inclusive governance. The program, which was the first visit by an Indian parliamentary delegation since 2018, underlined Australia's progress on gender and strengthened our connections with future political leaders in India.
Indonesia – August 2023
This CFP visit for an Indonesian Women Parliamentary Delegation included engagements with Australian parliamentarians, academics, business leaders and members of the Indonesian diaspora. Visit highlights included attendance at a FIFA World Cup Women's Football match with Sally Sitou MP and a meeting with the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Vanuatu – June 2023
MPs from Vanuatu visited Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane to boost interparliamentary linkages and explore opportunities for the Vanuatu-Australia trade and economic partnership. The delegation engaged with several government agencies, ni-Vanuatu workers and scholars, and attended the A-League Grand Final with former Vanuatu Prime Minister Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau where they celebrated the first Vanuatu-born footballer, Brian Kaltak, playing in (and winning) an A-League championship.
Vietnam – May 2023
Vietnamese academics and researchers, led by the Vice President of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, Dr Nguyen Hung Son, met representatives of government, think tanks and universities to discuss priorities for the Indo-Pacific. This visit occurred in the year marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Vietnam.
Japan – May 2023
Members of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party visited Australia for meetings focused on Australia's bilateral relationship with Japan and our shared interests in the Indo-Pacific. The program included high-level engagements with Ministers, senior state and federal government MPs and officials, the Vice-Chair of the Australia-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Group, the Australia-Japan Business Cooperation Committee, and business and industry leaders.
Thailand – March 2023
Emerging political leaders from Thailand participated in a program that highlighted the strength of Australia's governance institutions and reform bodies. During the program, delegates met senior officials and ministers, including the Minister for Trade and Tourism, the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, officials from the Australian Electoral Commission and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
India – March 2023
Influential climate policy advisors, representing some of India's top climate and energy think tanks, visited Australia to discuss climate policy, energy, and economic transition in high-level meetings, including with the Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, and with agencies such as the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Discussions about First Nations perspectives on country, culture and history highlighted another aspect of Australia's climate policy response.
Papua New Guinea – March 2023
Emerging leaders from Papua New Guinean government agencies participated in a leadership program, and received briefings from the Australian Pacific Security College, the Lowy Institute, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), the Department of Defence, and diaspora groups including Australia Awards Scholars.
Malaysia – March 2023
Government officials and senior executives from top Malaysian companies visited Australia to learn about Australia's energy transition and to assess investment opportunities. Meetings with ministers and senior government officials highlighted Australia's legislated clean energy targets and significant solar, wind, hydrogen, and storage capacity. The delegation also met peak bodies and leading businesses including the Clean Energy Council, the Australian Hydrogen Council, and Fortescue Future Industries.
Indonesia – March 2023
Young Indonesian parliamentarians engaged in discussions focussed on climate and energy policy and met with the Governor-General and the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, as well as representatives of Australian business and industry, universities, and diaspora groups. The program provided a foundation for deepening bilateral parliamentary ties and broadening people-to-people links.
Tonga – February 2023
A delegation led by His Royal Highness, Crown Prince of Tonga Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala, were welcomed in Sydney by the Governor-General. Participants engaged on shared priorities including climate change, cybersecurity, health, and regional cooperation in meetings with senior government officials and experts from the Australian National University. The delegation toured HMAS Adelaide, which deployed to Tonga in 2022 to assist with disaster relief following the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption and tsunami.
Background
Canberra Fellowship Program (CFP) delegates are drawn from key sectors including politics, business, public service, the judiciary, journalism and academia. Visit itineraries are tailored to meet the delegates' interests and often include engagements with ministers, senior officials, business representatives, non-government organisations including academics and think-tanks, and other experts. Other networking, learning, sporting, Indigenous and cultural experiences are also built into programs to showcase the best of Australia.
Since the Program’s post-COVID resumption in February 2023, it has supported over thirty delegations from as many countries across the Indo-Pacific, with the range of visit themes including foreign, defence and security policy, climate and green energy transition, political leadership and governance, infrastructure, agriculture, and gender equality.
Feedback from Delegates
"One of the best professional weeks of my life."
Delegate, Vietnam, May 2023
"The program itinerary was truly impressive and provided me with a unique opportunity to gain insights into the latest developments in the energy sector in Australia."
Delegate, Malaysia, March 2023
“This program has given us great insights into the Australian system, and builds a bridge to connect both countries' governing bodies. I am taking home many valuable lessons and wonderful memories of Australia.”
Delegate, Maldives, September 2024
“It was a very fruitful learning experience filled with fun and excitement - an excellent example of bilateral collaboration. The meeting with the counterparts were enriching and cordial.”
Delegate, Maldives, September 2024