leading ballet company of Australia. In 1962 the Australian Ballet Foundation, founded by art patrons interested in promoting a national ballet, sponsored the Australian Ballet company. It was formed mainly with native talent from the former Australian Borovansky Ballet.

Peggy van Praagh (van Praagh, Dame Peggy) was the first artistic director (1962–74). Since 1965 the company has made periodic tours of Europe and North America with a repertoire of classical and original works.