
Australia is a founding member of the modern Commonwealth, which is a grouping of 54 or 56 developed and developing nations spread across the globe. The Commonwealth's work includes supporting inclusive growth and sustainable development, and promoting human rights, democratic norms, good governance, and economic development among member countries. Australia is the second-largest contributor to the Commonwealth budget and supports the Commonwealth's development programs through financial assistance. Australia also funds the costs of the monarchy when the King visits the country, but otherwise, the monarchy is self-funded through its traditional revenue sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Australia's contribution to the Commonwealth budget | Third-largest contributor |
| Australia's contribution to the Commonwealth development programs | $7.2 million in 2019-20 |
| Australia's contribution to the Commonwealth Secretariat | Second-largest government contributor of ODA |
| Australia's contribution to the Queen's visit | Paid for by the Australian government |
| Australia's contribution to the monarchy in the United Kingdom | Not a contributor |
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What You'll Learn

Australia does not pay for the UK monarchy's upkeep
Australia does not pay for the upkeep of the UK monarchy. The monarchy is funded by the Crown's private income, which is used for 'official' expenditure, and revenues from two Royal Duchy Estates and the Crown Estate. The monarchy is self-funded and does not rely on taxpayer money from the UK or any other Commonwealth country, including Australia.
The Crown Estate is the sovereign's property, and the revenues generated from it are given to Parliament to support the nation's expenses. While the monarchy does incur security costs, these are covered by the British government and supplemented by other governments when the monarch visits their country.
Australia is a founding member of the modern Commonwealth and actively contributes to its development programs and initiatives. As the third or fourth-largest contributor to the Commonwealth budget, Australia supports sustainable economic development, youth and civil society engagement, education, the rule of law, and public sector development. Australia also provides funding for specific Commonwealth organizations and initiatives, such as the Commonwealth Foundation, the Commonwealth Youth Program, and the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy.
While Australia does not pay for the upkeep of the monarchy, it covers the expenses incurred during a royal visit, including security costs. These expenses are standard for any visiting dignitary invited by the Australian government.
In summary, Australia does not contribute financially to the upkeep of the UK monarchy. The monarchy is self-funded through its private income, estates, and the Crown Estate. Australia, as a committed member of the Commonwealth, supports various development programs and initiatives but does not fund the monarchy directly.
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Australia contributes to the Commonwealth budget
Australia is a founding member of the modern Commonwealth and has been actively participating in Commonwealth organisations, programs, and meetings for over 60 years. The Commonwealth is a unique grouping of 54 to 56 developed and developing nations spread across every continent and ocean in the world, reflecting diverse religions, ethnicities, languages, and cultures.
Australia is a top contributor to the Commonwealth budget, ranking third or fourth among all members. In 2019-20, Australia provided an estimated $7.2 million in total funding to various Commonwealth development programs, including the Commonwealth Foundation, Commonwealth Youth Program, the Commonwealth of Learning, and the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation. Australia also supports the Commonwealth's work in promoting human rights, democratic norms, good governance, and inclusive growth and sustainable development among member countries.
Australia's contributions to the Commonwealth budget reflect its commitment to strengthening democracy and development outcomes in its near region and in Commonwealth countries worldwide. Australia's involvement in the Commonwealth provides a substantive link and point of commonality with many countries with whom they might otherwise have limited bilateral contact.
It is worth noting that Australia's contributions to the Commonwealth are separate from any discussions about payments to England or the monarchy. While Australia does not contribute directly to the monarchy's finances, the federal and state governments cover the costs when the King visits the country at the invitation of the Australian government, including any expenses incurred from the planned itinerary.
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The UK and Australia collaborate on Commonwealth development programs
Australia is a founding member of the modern Commonwealth and has been an active participant in Commonwealth organisations, programs, and meetings for over 70 years. The Commonwealth is a unique grouping of 54 developed and developing nations spread across every continent and ocean in the world. Its membership reflects many religions, races, languages, and cultures, and its combined population of over two billion people accounts for approximately 30% of the world's population.
Australia is the third-largest contributor to the Commonwealth budget and is represented on the Commonwealth Secretariat's Board of Governors and its Executive Committee by the High Commissioner for Australia to the United Kingdom. Through its assistance to Commonwealth development programs, Australia is supporting sustainable economic development, youth and civil society engagement, education, the rule of law, and public sector development.
In 2019-20, Australia provided an estimated $7.2 million in total to Commonwealth development programs, including funding for the Commonwealth Foundation, Commonwealth Youth Program, the Commonwealth of Learning, Commonwealth Small States Offices in Geneva and New York, and the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation. Australia is also supporting projects within Australia and in other Commonwealth countries, such as PNG and Uganda, through the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy (QCC) and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
The UK and Australia have collaborated on several projects to support Commonwealth Small States. One such project, co-funded by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), supports two trade advisers in the Commonwealth Small States Office (CSSO) in Geneva, offering technical support and advisory services to small states missions in Geneva and their capital-based officials. This project helps small states participate more effectively in negotiations on existing and emerging trade issues at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Another project, also co-funded by the UK's FCDO and Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), helps Commonwealth Small States and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) effectively engage with UN mechanisms and implement their international human rights obligations. This project aims to increase the voice and visibility of beneficiary member states in the work of the Human Rights Council, Universal Periodic Review mechanism, and Treaty Bodies. Ambassador Amanda Gorely, Australian Permanent Representative to the United Nations (Geneva), has expressed pride in supporting the CSSO Human Rights Adviser positions, which enable the sharing of information, the provision of expertise, and the delivery of technical assistance.
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Australia funds Commonwealth organisations, programs and meetings
Australia is a founding member of the modern Commonwealth and has been actively involved in its organisations, programs, and meetings for over 70 years. The Commonwealth is a diverse grouping of 54 to 56 developed and developing nations spread across the globe, with a combined population of over two billion people, accounting for about 30% of the world's population. More than 60% of the Commonwealth population is under 29 years old.
Australia is a leading contributor to the Commonwealth budget and is represented on the Commonwealth Secretariat's Board of Governors and its Executive Committee by the High Commissioner for Australia to the United Kingdom. The Board of Governors provides direction on major policy issues and approves strategic plans, work programs, and budgets. The Executive Committee, which includes Australia, meets quarterly to oversee budgets, audit functions, and make policy recommendations.
Through its assistance to Commonwealth development programs, Australia supports sustainable economic development, youth engagement, civil society engagement, education, democratic processes, the rule of law, public sector development, and small states. Australia is currently the second-largest government contributor of ODA (Official Development Assistance) to the Commonwealth Secretariat, after the United Kingdom.
In 2019-20, Australia provided approximately $7.2 million to Commonwealth development programs, including funding for the Commonwealth Foundation, Commonwealth Youth Program, the Commonwealth of Learning, Commonwealth Small States Offices in Geneva and New York, and the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation. Australia has also contributed to specific initiatives such as the Commonwealth Election Professionals Initiative, the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, and the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy (QCC).
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Australia supports the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy (QCC) projects
Australia does not pay money to England or the UK for the monarchy's upkeep. The monarchy is self-funding, with the majority of its funds coming from the Crown Estate. However, when the King visits Australia, the Australian government covers the expenses and supplements the cost of his security.
Australia is a founding member of the modern Commonwealth and actively participates in its programmes and meetings. It is the third-largest contributor to the Commonwealth budget and the second-largest contributor of ODA (Official Development Assistance) to the Commonwealth Secretariat. In 2019-20, Australia provided an estimated $7.2 million to Commonwealth development programmes.
Australia has provided support to QCC projects within Australia, as well as in Papua New Guinea and Uganda, funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). The QCC initiative ended in 2022 after achieving pan-Commonwealth sign-up, with over 45 countries participating and over 60 projects. Australia's involvement in the QCC aligns with its commitment to promoting sustainable economic development and environmental conservation.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia does not pay money to England. However, as a member of the Commonwealth, Australia contributes to its budget and development programs. In 2019-20, Australia provided an estimated $7.2 million to various Commonwealth development programs. Australia is the third-largest contributor to the Commonwealth budget.
No, Australia does not pay money to the English monarchy. The monarchy is funded by the Crown's Estate and Royal Duchies. The only exception is when the King visits Australia at the government's request, in which case the Australian government pays for the planned itinerary.
The Commonwealth is a unique grouping of 54 or 56 developed and developing nations spread across every continent and ocean in the world. It was formed to promote human rights, democratic norms, good governance, and sustainable development among member countries. Australia is a founding member and has been an active participant in its organizations, programs, and meetings for over 60 years.

















