In Australia, Southern Right Whales are found predominantly along the southern coastline. Key aggregation areas include Head of Bight and Fowlers Bay in South Australia. These areas serve as important calving and socialising habitats during winter and early spring.

Southern Right Whales display a non-monogamous mating system, with multiple males often competing to mate with a single female. Mating occurs at the surface in groups and may involve physical interactions among males.

Southern Right Whales undertake annual migrations between offshore feeding grounds (likely in sub-Antarctic waters) and nearshore breeding and calving areas. Within Australian waters, movements of 200–1,500 km between aggregation sites have been documented.
Photo-identification studies show strong interchange between Fowlers Bay and Head of Bight, with approximately 39% of individuals observed at both sites. Among females with calves, this figure rises to 59%, indicating regional connectivity.

In Australia, the Southern Right Whale is listed as Endangered and Migratory under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Continued research and monitoring are essential to inform conservation efforts and habitat protection strategies.

On average, females will have thier first calf at 9 years of age.  Following an 11–12 month gestation, calves are born measuring 4–5 m and weighing approximately 1–1.5 tonnes. Calves are nourished with energy-rich milk and may gain up to 100 kg per day in body mass.
Mothers typically remain with their calves in nearshore waters for several months, providing protection and nourishment. Calving occurs in three-year cycles on average, with many females returning to the same sites to give birth, indicating high site fidelity.

Whaling in the 19th century led to severe population declines. Since international protection in 1935, some recovery has occurred.
Australia hosts two genetically and geographically distinct populations:

• The south-western population (spanning Western Australia to South Australia) currently numbers around 2,500 individuals and is showing a steady increase (~7% per annum).

• The south-eastern population (Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales) remains under 300 individuals and is not showing significant recovery.

Southern Right Whales produce a range of vocalisations that can be recorded using underwater acoustic recorders. These recordings provide insights into their spatial and temporal distribution, as well as behavioural ecology, including mother–calf communication and social interactions.