About Us

The Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) is an independent non-partisan, non-profit organisation devoted to the promotion and discussion of international affairs and global issues. The Institute hosts an active program of speakers throughout the year focused both on ongoing global issues, as well as current events and issues affecting the world today. Established in New South Wales in 1924, and in Victoria in 1925 as branches of London’s Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), the AIIA was created as an Australian entity in its own right in 1933, and today has branches in all states and the ACT. In Victoria, the AIIA was based since 1961 in Dyason House in East Melbourne, but in November 2023 moved to more modern premises at 356 Collins street in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. During its long history, AIIA Victoria has involved many notable authorities and leading figures within the international affairs sphere, including Sir John Latham, Sir Owen Dixon, Sir Ian Clunies Ross, Sir Robert Menzies, Professor Norman Harper and Professor William (‘Mac’) Macmahon Ball.