Although we are only getting started, we aim to progressively extend our coverage of countries around the world.
A democratic ally of the United States, Australia is a strategic partner in countering China's authoritarian influence in the Pacific region.
Countering China
In 2023, Australia held joint military drills in with the Philippines in the South China Sea.
Approximately 1,200 Australian soldiers and 560 Filipino marines took part in military exercises that involved storming a beach.
8.71
Full democracyFlawed democracyHybrid regimeAuthoritarian regime
73.77
GoodSatisfactoryProblematicDifficultVery Serious
Australia has a strong record of advancing and protecting political rights and civil liberties. Challenges to these freedoms include the threat of foreign political influence, harsh policies toward asylum seekers, discrimination against LGBT+ people, increasingly stringent checks against the press, and ongoing difficulties ensuring the equal rights of First Nations Australians.
Internet freedom in Australia remained relatively robust during the coverage period. The country’s information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure is well-developed, and access is affordable and widely available. The government does not restrict internet or mobile connectivity and does not block political or social content online. However, legal developments—including the passage of the Online Safety Act and a series of amendments facilitating increased surveillance and undermining encryption—shrank the space for free expression online. Domestic political parties spread disinformation online ahead of the May 2022 federal election.
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country
comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands.