The article aims to identify the nature and extent of the impact of cooperation between ASEAN and Australia on reducing the severity of security threats in the seas of the Asia-Pacific region. Having identified patterns in relations between ASEAN and Australia during the cold war and after its end, the authors clarify the motives of the parties to intensify the dialogue within the framework of the presently negotiated RCEP and in the context of the development of the project of the ITD. The main conclusion of the authors is that, despite Australia's participation in the Quadrilateral Defense Cooperation, the Association and Canberra share an interest in strengthening ASEAN-centric multilateral security dialogue structures, which will have a positive impact on the state of security at the Maritime borders of the APR, including the evolution of Maritime territorial disputes.