About the Commonwealth

The Commonwealth is a unique grouping of 56 developed and developing nations spread over every continent and ocean in the world. Its membership reflects many religions, ethnicities, languages and cultures and its combined population of over two billion people account for approximately 30 per cent of the world's population. More than 60 percent of the Commonwealth population is aged 29 or under (representing one in three of the world's young people). Over 3.3 million Australians were born in other Commonwealth countries.

The values and aspirations which unite the members of the Commonwealth are reflected in the Commonwealth Charter, adopted in December 2012. The Charter expresses the commitment of Commonwealth members to the development of free and democratic societies, good governance, human rights, the rule of law, sustainable development and the promotion of peace and prosperity. The Commonwealth has observed more than 140 elections in nearly 40 countries since 1980.

The last countries to join the Commonwealth were Gabon and Togo in 2022.

The Commonwealth is supported by a range of associated networks and interests which include civil society, professional and parliamentary groups covering issues ranging from democracy to youth affairs, labour issues, gender equity, human rights, health and education.

Governance arrangements

The work of the Commonwealth is administered by the Commonwealth Secretariat based in London. The Secretariat is headed by a Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland.

The Secretariat's Board of Governors gives direction to the Secretariat on major policy issues and to approve strategic plans, work programs and budgets.

An Executive Committee of the Board of Governors meets every quarter to oversee budgets and audit functions and make policy recommendations to the annual meetings of the Board. Membership of the Executive Committee is geographically balanced and comprises the major contributors to the Commonwealth budgets, including Australia.

Australia and the Commonwealth

Australia is a founding member of the modern Commonwealth and has been an active participant in Commonwealth organisations, programs and meetings for over 60 years. It is in the top four-largest contributors to the Commonwealth budget.

As Commonwealth Chair-in-Office from 2011-2013, Australia played a leading role in the development of the Commonwealth Charter.

Australia is represented on the Commonwealth Secretariat's Board of Governors, and its Executive Committee, by the Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

Australia supports the Commonwealth to promote human rights, democratic norms and good governance among member countries.

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings

Every two years, Commonwealth leaders meet at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to discuss global and Commonwealth issues, and to agree on collective policies and initiatives.

CHOGMs also provide Commonwealth leaders with a forum for informal exchanges and bilateral contact. For Australia, it gives us a substantive link and point of commonality with many countries with whom we otherwise have limited bilateral contact.

CHOGM was last held in Samoa in October 2024. The theme for the meeting was "One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth". Commonwealth Heads of Government agreed the CHOGM 2024 Leaders’ Statement, Communique and Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration.

The next CHOGM will be hosted by Antigua and Barbuda in 2026.

Commonwealth development programs

2024-25 total Australian ODA [budget estimate]

$5 million

Through our assistance to Commonwealth development programs, Australia is supporting democratic processes, small states, climate change, youth and civil society engagement, education and the rights of LGBTI persons.

Some key Commonwealth and Commonwealth affiliated initiatives supported by Australia in recent years include:

• Ongoing annual funding of approximately $370,000 per annum to support the Small States Offices in New York and Geneva, to advocate for the priorities of Commonwealth Small Island and Developing States
• $2.6 million to support the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub to help small island developing and least-developed states to effectively access existing climate funds
• $2 million to support the Partnership for Enhanced and Blended Learning in West Africa (Association of Commonwealth Universities)
• $500,000 to fund the Commonwealth Election Professionals Initiative which helps train election officials across the Commonwealth in more effectively managing election processes
• $1.5 million over 3 years to support LGBTI persons and organisations through capacity building for The Commonwealth Equality Network (TCEN), supported by the Kaleidoscope Trust