The center aims to develop teaching and research programs focusing on Northeast Asia, to foster Asian studies in the university, to develop interdisciplinary courses, and to promote the understanding of Northeast Asia in Australia.
Research is conducted individually and collectively by center staff and postgraduate students.
Research projects are funded by bodies such as the Australian Research Council, the University Research Grants Scheme, and other national and international foundations. The center does not publish its own periodicals, but the Barr-Smith Library, of the University of Adelaide, holds most of the major journals related to the region. The center has an exchange agreement with Meiji University, Kansai Gaidai, Kansai University, the International University of Japan, and other Japanese institutions. It also has exchange relations with Shandong University in China and arranges student exchanges with other Chinese institutions each year. There are various nationally competitive scholarships.