Perth USAsia Centre

The Perth USAsia Centre is a leading foreign policy think tank focused on Indo-Pacific strategy. It fosters stronger connections, educates and empowers government, business, academia and civil communities to better understand the critical issues facing the Indo-Pacific region.

Based at The University of Western Australia, the Perth USAsia Centre is a non-partisan and not-for-profit institution.

Through its research and educational activities, the Centre strengthens strategic thinking between Australia, the Indo-Pacific and the United States, and engages thought leaders to address challenges and opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region.

History
The Perth USAsia Centre was launched in November 2012 by then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during an historic visit to Perth, Western Australia. It was established in collaboration with the American Australian Association, the United States Studies Centre at The University of Sydney, and the University of Western Australia. The Centre has been operational since 2013.

The Perth USAsia Centre runs an annual events program that brings together high-calibre speakers and audiences throughout Australia and the Indo-Pacific. Since its inception in 2013, the Centre has informed a broad and diverse community of over 30,000 people at more than 800 events across 25 cities in 10 countries.

In November 2023, the Perth USAsia Centre celebrated its 10th anniversary with a special event featuring a keynote address by award-winning journalist, author and filmmaker Professor Stan Grant, who appeared in collaboration with Claxon Speakers International.

Board
The Centre is governed by a board of directors, which is chaired by the Honourable Kim Beazley AC, who is the former Ambassador of Australia to the United States and the 33rd Governor of Western Australia.

Funding
The Perth USAsia Centre is an Australian public company limited by guarantee and is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. The Centre's core funding comes from the Federal Government (facilitated by the American Australian Association), the Western Australian State Government, The University of Western Australia and the private sector.

The Centre receives funding from overseas agencies for three of its program activities, including its annual Japan Symposium (funded by the Government of Japan), regional workshops on the future of the US-Australia Alliance, and the Alliance Network (both funded by the US Department of State). These activities are lodged under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Register.