Cultural activities are regulated by the bilateral agreement signed in Rome on 8 January 1975 and by subsequent executive programs. The most recent Cultural Cooperation Program implementing the Cultural Cooperation Agreement between Italy and Australia was signed in Rome on 8 May 2015, on the occasion of the visit to Italy by the then Minister for the Arts, Sen. George Brandis, and Minister Dario Franceschini, aimed at promoting bilateral cultural cooperation in the fields of literature, music, visual arts, cinema, theatre, publishing and the dissemination of publications, books, radio and television programs, youth exchanges including at the sporting level, as well as encouraging direct collaboration between Australian and Italian university, cultural, and scientific institutions. In the film sector, a specific collaboration agreement for the co-production of cinematographic works has been in force since it was signed on 28 June 1993.
The Embassy and the consular network are actively engaged in promoting Italian design, ancient and contemporary art, fine Italian cuisine, cultural tourism through initiatives focused on multiculturalism, Italian cinema, classical and modern Italian music, publishing, and Italian science and research, as well as the humanities through dedicated conferences and meetings.
The two Italian Cultural Institutes, in Melbourne and Sydney, organize Italian language courses for adults, events, and cultural activities, both independently and in collaboration with Australian organizations.
Cultural events organized by the Consulate of Italy in Brisbane are advertised in the News section of this website.