The Australian Journal of Anthropology is an academic journal focused on anthropology and related disciplines, dedicated to publishing papers and book reviews of depth and breadth. The journal's academic interests cover all branches of anthropology, including social anthropology, cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, archaeology, and linguistic anthropology. The journal pays special attention to analytical articles that are grounded in theory and can provide fresh perspectives and deep insights.

The Journal particularly encourages ethnographic reporting based on field research conducted in Australia and its neighbours in the Pacific and Asian regions. These reports not only provide readers with a wealth of first-hand information, but also help deepen their understanding of the societies, cultures and histories of these regions. Through these field investigations, scholars are able to delve into complex issues such as human behavior, social structure, and cultural change, thereby providing new theoretical and empirical support for anthropological research.