Australia is an original signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, signed on 1 December 1959, that entered into force in 1961. It now has 57 Parties.

Australia has strong national interests in Antarctica given its proximity in our region. These interests include: to maintain Antarctica’s freedom from militarisation; to protect the unique Antarctic environment; to conduct world class scientific research; to promote economic benefits for Hobart as an Antarctic gateway; and to preserve our sovereignty over the Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT), including rights and jurisdiction over its waters consistent with international law.

These interests are supported by the strong and effective operation of the
Antarctic Treaty system, comprising the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, the 1991 Protocol on Environmental Protection, the 1980 Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, and the 1972 Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Seals.

Australia is a depository state for:

• Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) (Canberra, 20 May 1980)
• Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (Canberra, 19 June 2001)

Together, these agreements set out rules and norms which seek to preserve Antarctica as a place of peace and science, including the core principles of non-militarisation, environmental protection, freedom of scientific investigation and transparency as to States’ activities in Antarctica. Importantly, the Antarctic Treaty also provides that States’ actions in Antarctica cannot form a basis for asserting, supporting or denying a sovereignty claim.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade leads Australia’s engagement at annual Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCM). DFAT’s Chief Counsel and First Assistant Secretary, Legal Division, is Australia’s Senior Official on Antarctica and leads Australia’s Delegation.