We are excited to accelerate Alexa momentum today by opening up the Alexa Voice Service (AVS) to all third-party device makers building products for customers in Australia and New Zealand. This launch follows up on the November 2017 release of the Alexa Skills Kit (ASK) for these regions.

Today’s AVS release introduces new opportunities for developers and device makers worldwide. Because the Alexa language models and regional services are built in the cloud, it’s easy for developers to update their devices to enable localized experiences with Alexa. Along with the Echo family of devices, brands like Sonos and Anker already have plans to bring their own Alexa-enabled products to customers in Australia and New Zealand.

Learn more about AVS for International regions »

Now, device makers integrating Alexa directly into their connected products will be able to provide their customers with an Alexa experience that leverages the more than 10,000 local and global skills already built for Australia and New Zealand, as well as access the new Alexa voice associated with this region. Customers in Australia can also enable new skills on their Alexa device from Coastalwatch, Qantas, Taste.com.au, Westpac Banking Corporation, SBS, and National Australia Bank. In New Zealand, customers can now enable skills from SKY TV, Air New Zealand, TVNZ’s 1 News, Newstalk ZB, and ZM.

How to Integrate Alexa into Your Product

AVS enables developers to integrate Alexa directly into their products, bringing the convenience of voice control to any connected device. Device makers can follow our Quick Start Guide to begin developing an Alexa-enabled prototype with the AVS Device SDK. Learn how to build new products or update your existing products to reach new customers in Australia and New Zealand here.

How to Build an Alexa Skill

It’s easy to start building for voice with Alexa. Explore our simple tutorials or watch our on-demand webinars to learn how to build a skill quickly. If you want to build a multi-language Alexa skill, read our technical documentation to learn how to create a skill in all language models English (Australia), English (US), English (India), English (UK), English (CA), German, and Japanese.

Update Your Existing Skill and Reach New Customers

If you are already an Alexa developer and want to target new customers in Australia and New Zealand, you can enhance your existing skill by extending support for the new language model English (Australia) by following these simple steps.

No device? No problem. Use the Test Simulator to test skill invocations and simulate a user using your skills.

Getting Started

We are excited to bring Alexa and Alexa-enabled devices to Australia and New Zealand. These development services and tools will make it easier for developers to reach and delight new customers. We can’t wait to see what you build.

Need help getting started? Connect with the Alexa community on our developer forums.