Where we work

ACIAR projects focus largely on the Asia-Pacific region. Papua New Guinea and Indonesia are the recipients of the largest programs of research collaboration. In recent years the research with the Pacific Island Countries has received more attention and a larger research budget.

A program involving five countries is getting underway in 2010 in support of African agriculture. India and Australia have a program that supports the mutual interests of the two countries in combating drought, disease and poor nutrition in wheat. As well, a specific program, developed in response to a joint Australian-Pakistan agreement of development cooperation, has been successfully working in Pakistan in recent years.

China has been a long-term partner in ACIAR projects since the mid 1980s. The focus has changed over time and now the bulk of research concerns better land and water management including conservation farming in north-western China and the Tibet Autonomous Region.

ACIAR administers Australia’s funding support for the international agricultural research centres. These centres have programs that connect ACIAR with countries that would not otherwise receive attention through the regular bilateral channels – for example ongoing works in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Country Offices

ACIAR has offices in seven countries: China, India, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The China office also looks after the DPR Korea, and the India and Thailand offices have regional responsibilities for South Asia and Cambodia, Laos and Burma (Myanmar) respectively. Each office is headed by a Country or Regional Manager.

Managers are responsible for liaison, coordination and administration of activities required for the effective management of the Centre's collaborative research program in their respective partner countries/regions.

Country managers provide guidance for local research institutions in the development, establishment and administration of collaborative projects, assist visiting Australian project staff and provide general in-country support. ACIAR's overseas offices are an important link between partner scientists in Australia and the relevant overseas research organisations. They also play an important role in the negotiation of the collaborative/partnership framework for ACIAR's program in their respective areas of responsibility, between ACIAR Canberra and in-country Ministries.

ACIAR's country/regional managers are contracted employees reporting to ACIAR, based in Canberra. All are supported by one or two administrative staff. Offices are located within the Australian Embassies or High Commissions in the country in which they operate, and maintain a close working relationship with DFAT and AusAID particularly.

China and DPRK Office
South Asia Office
Indonesia Office
Papua New Guinea Office
Philippines Office
Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Burma Office
Vietnam Office