About us

The Goethe-Institut is the cultural liaison between Germany and Australia. We are a not for profit, independent cultural organisation with a global reach. Our mandate is to promote the study of the German language abroad, and to encourage and facilitate international cultural exchange.

The Goethe-Institut was founded in Melbourne in 1972; the Sydney branch followed soon after in 1974. Our two local branches work with partners and networks across Australia.

We are global leaders in the promotion and maintenance of the German language in Australia. We offer language courses at all levels in Sydney and Melbourne and are currently providing them to more than 2,000 students. But that’s not all. We host examinations in VIC, NSW, WA, ACT and SA, whilst our online courses and eLibrary are accessible across the country. We also support schools and teachers nationally through extensive teacher training and the provision of teaching and learning materials that are in line with current best practice as well as the latest educational research.

Our cultural program presents contemporary arts and culture from Germany. It is developed together with an extensive network of Australian partners including festivals, universities and galleries. Exhibitions, concerts, films and talks are promoted and delivered through our program, but we also facilitate the cultural dialogue in a broader sense, as we initiate, facilitate and nurture important connections between the Australian and German scenes.

We are proud to be part of a strong global network: the Goethe-Institut has 159 branches in 98 countries. We work independently and at arm’s length from the German government.

The Goethe-Institut in Australia is part of a regional network spanning across South-East Asia and New Zealand with its headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia.