Anthropic has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Australian Government to work together on artificial intelligence (AI) safety and development. The non-binding agreement, signed on April 1, 2026, marks one of the first partnerships under Australia’s National AI Plan. The agreement was signed in Canberra after a meeting between CEO Dario Amodei and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The collaboration is aimed at supporting Australia’s National AI Plan and promoting the safe and responsible use of AI.

Data from Anthropic’s Economic Index shows Australians already use Claude for the most diverse range of tasks among all English-speaking nations. According to Anthropic, it will share information on its AI systems’ capabilities, risks, and evaluations. In addition, the company will work with Australia’s AI Safety Institute to test and assess new AI technology. Anthropic will also provide data from its Economic Index to help the government understand how AI is being used in the economy and how it is affecting jobs and industries like healthcare, agriculture, and finance.

“Australia’s investment in AI safety makes it a natural partner for responsible AI development. This MOU gives our collaboration a formal foundation. I’m particularly excited by the work Australian research institutions will be doing with Claude to advance disease diagnosis and treatment,” said Dario Amodei, CEO and Co-Founder, Anthropic.

Anthropic also announced an investment of AUD$3 million in Claude API credits for research partnerships with leading institutions such as Australian National University, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, and Curtin University. These groups will use Anthropic’s AI assistant, Claude, to improve disease diagnosis, study genetics, and support education in computer science. Some projects will focus on rare diseases and childhood heart disease and better treatment methods for children.

Separately, Anthropic also announced a new deep tech startup program offering up to USD$50,000 (approximately AUD$72,000) in Claude API credits for VC-backed startups working in areas such as drug discovery, climate modeling, and medical diagnostics.

This type of arrangement has been established before with AI safety institutes in countries such as the US, UK, and Japan –  where early access and technical information sharing has helped governments build an independent view of where frontier AI is heading. The agreement also highlights a focus on AI infrastructure and energy, including data centre development aligned with firmed renewable energy requirements. Beyond research, the agreement also covers supply chain security, with both parties looking to position Australia as a trusted regional hub for AI infrastructure.

Anthropic has committed to aligning its Australian operations with the government’s data centre expectations, including a focus on firmed renewables and sustainable energy. Collaboration with the Australian Public Service (APS) is also on the agenda, supporting the delivery of the APS AI Plan through capability building and responsible AI adoption.

“This MOU sends a clear signal to Australians that we are open for business, where investment aligns with Australia’s priorities and Australian values. The Australian Government and Anthropic are working together to harness AI responsibly – securing investment into Australia’s energy grid, driving economic resilience and safety for all Australians.” said Senator the Hon Tim Ayres, Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science.

The agreement covers collaboration across AI safety, infrastructure, workforce development, and responsible AI adoption, while Anthropic also indicated plans to expand its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

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