We promote and support Australia's domestic agenda and communications priorities at an international level.

We provide strategic oversight and coordination of Australia's engagement in international forums where decisions are made that could have an impact on our national interest in telecommunications, new and emerging technologies, digital economy and other global policy issues. Our main activities include:

  • representing Australia's interests in telecommunication and Internet fora (e.g. the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Telecommunications and Information Working Group (APEC TEL), Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT), the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the Internet Governance Forum (IGF)—see below)
  • developing bilateral links with our counterparts with responsibility for information and communication technology (ICT) policy
  • raising awareness of Australia's liberalised communications market and innovative business activity
  • training and other capacity-building initiatives to support developing countries in Asia and the Pacific.

International Telecommunication Union

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialised agency for telecommunications and ICTs. ITU facilitates international connectivity and interoperability, oversees the global use of radiofrequency spectrum and satellite orbits through the Radio Regulations treaty, develops technical standards for telecommunication networks and technologies and improves access to ICTs in underserved communities worldwide. We manage Australia's membership and participation in ITU, including ITU Council. Australia has been a member of ITU Council since 1959 and is standing for re-election in 2026. For more information about our involvement in ITU visit the ITU page and for more information on our candidacy, visit the Australia for ITU Council 2026 page.

We support capacity building efforts in the Asia-Pacific region through annual projects with ITU and further information is available on the Australian-funded ITU development projects page. We also have a proud heritage in ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) and you can find out more on the International radiocommunications page.

Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT)

The Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) is the focal organisation for ICT development and growth in the Asia-Pacific region. We manage Australia's membership and participation in this forum, including efforts to develop policies and regulatory approaches that build open and competitive telecommunications markets, as well as the adoption of online services by APT member countries.

Australia also collaborates with the APT to implement a wide range of capacity building projects in Asia and the Pacific, including tailored training programs and workshops.

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Telecommunications and Information Working Group (TEL)

 The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Telecommunications and Information Working Group (TEL) advances the development of ICT infrastructure and services and promotes cooperation, information sharing and development of effective ICT policies and regulations in the Asia-Pacific region. We lead Australia's engagement in the TEL which meets twice a year, and holds Ministerial meetings every 2 to 3 years. At meetings, Australia shares perspectives on telecommunication issues and supports the progress of APEC projects and workshops.

Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)

ICANN coordinates policy for the Domain Name System (DNS) at a global level, including policies for the delegation of top-level domains (such as .com and .au), the operation of the root servers which keep the DNS running and oversight of the Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) which manage Internet numbering policies.

ICANN policies are developed through the work of supporting organisations and advisory committees which represent different stakeholder communities. We represent the Australian Government as part of the Governmental Advisory Committee, which advises ICANN on Internet-related public policy issues.

Asia-Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC)

APNIC is the RIR for the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia. It is responsible for the distribution of IP addresses to organisations in the region and the management of IP address policies.

Various Australian Government agencies are members of APNIC and we work collaboratively with APNIC on a range of Internet numbering issues impacting our region.

Internet Governance Forum (IGF)

The IGF is a multistakeholder forum to discuss Internet-related public policy issues. Discussions at the IGF can inform government in policymaking and help to share knowledge across the multistakeholder community. We participate in the global IGF as representatives of the Australian Government, which provides us with an opportunity to promote Australia's values internationally, and bring global insights back to the Australian community .

In addition to the global IGF, there are various national and regional IGF initiatives, where participants can raise key issues and communicate important messages to the global IGF. We provide support to Australia's national IGF initiative, the community and industry-led Australian Internet Governance Forum (auIGF). The auIGF brings together Australia's diverse multistakeholder community, which includes government, industry, the technical community, civil society and academia.

We also engage with the Asia-Pacific regional IGF (APrIGF), which provides a platform for collaboration across our region. We encourage stakeholders from Australia and our region to participate and contribute to these initiatives.

Global Coalition on Telecommunications

In October 2023, the governments of Australia, Canada, Japan, United Kingdom and United States of America established the Global Coalition on Telecommunications (GCOT) as an officials-level forum to:

  • strengthen cooperation and coordination among participating countries
  • build broader consensus on key areas of telecommunications policy
  • enable dialogue between industry, government and academia
  • promote innovation and growth opportunities in industry.

For more information visit the Global Coalition on Telecommunications page.