The Department of Education is represented in two locations in Latin America, with offices in Brasilia and Mexico City. The Brasilia post is primarily focused on engagement with Brazil and Argentina, while the Mexico City post has responsibility for bilateral relationships with Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Chile and multilateral engagement with the Pacific Alliance bloc.

The department’s Counsellors in Latin America maintain high-level government-to-government linkages, including through bilateral Memoranda of Understanding, and collaborative networks with education and research communities throughout the region. Counsellors also support Australian institutions to engage with Latin America by proving advice and policy briefings on education, training and research systems, regulations and policies in partner countries.

Key objectives for engagement include enhancing two-way mobility, fostering the global exchange of knowledge and positioning Australia as a partner of choice for international collaboration.

Background to Australia’s education, training and research relationship with the region

Growing numbers of students from Latin America are choosing Australia as a study destination, and education is a significant component of Australia’s bilateral relationships with many partners across the region. The department’s presence in Brazil was established in 2014, with the Mexico City post opened in 2018 to further strengthen regional coverage. The Department of Education holds an ex-officio position on the Council on Australia Latin America Relations (COALAR).

Back to Latin America counsellors.