Amazon rolls out Alexa+ AI assistant in Australia

Amazon has launched the next‑generation Alexa+ virtual assistant in Australia, beginning early‑access on August 6. The rollout makes Australia the first market in the Asia‑Pacific region to receive the service, which debuted in the United States earlier this year.

The new assistant incorporates generative‑AI upgrades built on Amazon’s Bedrock platform, using the Nova model and partner models such as Anthropic. Alexa+ can remember user preferences, initiate conversations without a wake word, and handle tasks like restaurant reservations, email drafting, smart‑home control and personalized recommendations. For the Australian launch the system has been tuned for local accents, slang and cultural references, and it partners with local news outlets such as ABC and Sky News/News24.

During the early‑access period Australian users can obtain Alexa+ for free by purchasing an eligible Echo device or signing up online. After the trial, the service will be bundled with Amazon Prime and also offered as a standalone subscription at $29.99 USD per month.