Form N-CSR ABERDEEN AUSTRALIA EQUIT For: Oct 31

Dear Shareholder,

We present this Annual Report, which covers the activities of Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018. The Fund’s principal investment objective is long-term capital appreciation through investment primarily in equity securities of Australian companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange Limited. Its secondary objective is current income, which is expected to be derived primarily from dividends and interest on Australian corporate and governmental securities.

Total Investment Return

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, the total return to shareholders of the Fund based on the net asset value (“NAV”) and market price of the Fund compared to the Fund’s benchmark are as follows:

The Fund’s total return is based on the reported NAV on each financial reporting period end and may differ from what is reported on the Financial Highlights due to financial statement rounding or adjustments. For more information about Fund performance please see page 4 Report of the Investment Manager.

NAV, Share Price and Discount

Throughout the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, the Fund’s NAV was within a range of $5.33 to $6.87 and the Fund’s market price traded within a range $5.08 to $6.73. Throughout the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, the Fund’s shares traded within a range of a premium of 2.0% to a discount of 6.4%.

Portfolio Management

The Fund is managed by Aberdeen’s Asia-Pacific equity team. The Asia-Pacific equity team works in a truly collaborative fashion; all

team members have both portfolio management and research responsibilities. The team is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.

Effective January 31, 2018, Jason Kururangi replaced Mark Daniels as part of the team having the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. This team also includes Michelle Lopez, Robert Penaloza, Natalie Tam and Hugh Young.

Mr. Kururangi is an investment manager on the Asian equities team. He joined Aberdeen Standard Investments Australia Limited (formerly known as Aberdeen Asset Management Limited (“ASI Aus Ltd”) in 2011.

Managed Distribution Policy

The Fund has a managed distribution policy of paying quarterly distributions at an annual rate, set once a year, that is a percentage of the rolling average of the Fund’s prior four quarter-end net asset values. In March 2018, the Board of Directors of the Fund (the “Board”) determined the rolling distribution rate to be 10% for the 12-month period commencing with the distribution payable in March 2018. This policy will be subject to regular review by the Board. The distributions will be made from current income, supplemented by realized capital gains and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital, which is a non-taxable return of capital.

On December 11, 2018, the Fund announced that it will pay on January 10, 2019, a distribution of US $0.15 per share to all shareholders of record as of December 31, 2018.

Open Market Repurchase Program

The Fund’s policy is generally to buy back Fund shares on the open market when the Fund trades at certain discounts to NAV. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, the Fund did not repurchase any shares.

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure

The Fund’s complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the second and fourth quarters of each fiscal year are included in the Fund’s semi-annual and annual report to shareholders. The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Form N-Q filings are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may be

reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information about the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The Fund makes the information on Form N-Q available to shareholders on the Fund’s website or upon request and without charge by calling Investor Relations toll-free at 1-800-522-5465.

Proxy Voting

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve months ended June 30 is available by August 31 of the relevant year: (i) upon request without charge by calling Investor Relations toll-free at 1-800-522-5465; and (ii) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Unclaimed Share Accounts

Please be advised that abandoned or unclaimed property laws for certain states require financial organizations to transfer (escheat) unclaimed property (including Fund shares) to the state. Each state has its own definition of unclaimed property, and Fund shares could be considered “unclaimed property” due to account inactivity (e.g., no owner-generated activity for a certain period), returned mail (e.g., when mail sent to a shareholder is returned to the Fund’s transfer agent as undeliverable), or a combination of both. If your Fund shares are categorized as unclaimed, your financial advisor or the Fund’s transfer agent will follow the applicable state’s statutory requirements to contact you, but if unsuccessful, laws may require that the shares be escheated to the appropriate state. If this happens, you will have to contact the state to recover your property, which may involve time and expense. For more information on unclaimed property and how to maintain an active account, please contact your financial adviser or the Fund’s transfer agent.

Brexit

The ongoing negotiations surrounding the UK’s exit from the EU (“Brexit”) have yet to provide clarity on what the outcome will be for the UK or Europe. The UK remains a member of the EU until the legally established departure date of March 29, 2019 and, until such date, all existing EU-derived laws and regulations continue to apply in the UK. Those laws may continue to apply for a transitional period, depending on whether a deal is struck and, if so, what that deal is. In any event, the UK’s on-shoring of EU legislation currently envisages no policy changes to EU law. However, the EU has not yet

provided any material cushion from the effects of Brexit for financial services as a matter of EU law. Whether or not a Fund invests in securities of issuers located in Europe (whether the EU, Eurozone or UK) or with significant exposure to European, EU, Eurozone or UK issuers or countries, the unavoidable uncertainties and events related to Brexit could negatively affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments, increase taxes and costs of business and cause volatility in currency exchange rates and interest rates. Brexit could adversely affect the performance of contracts in existence at the date of Brexit and European, UK or worldwide political, regulatory, economic or market conditions and could contribute to instability in political institutions, regulatory agencies and financial markets. Brexit could also lead to legal uncertainty and politically divergent national laws and regulations as a new relationship between the UK and EU is defined and the UK determines which EU laws to replace or replicate. Any of these effects of Brexit, and others that cannot be anticipated, could adversely affect the Fund’s business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the risk that Standard Life Aberdeen plc, the parent of the companies that provide investment advisory and administration services to the Fund and which is headquartered in the UK, fails to adequately prepare for Brexit could have significant customer, reputation and capital impacts for Standard Life Aberdeen plc and its subsidiaries, including those providing services to the Fund; however, we have detailed contingency planning in place to seek to manage the consequences of Brexit on the Fund and to avoid any disruption on the Fund and to the services we provide. Given the fluidity and complexity of the situation, however, we cannot assure that the Fund will not be adversely impacted despite our preparations.

Investor Relations Information

As part of Aberdeen’s commitment to shareholders, we invite you to visit the Fund on the web at www.aberdeeniaf.com. Here, you can view monthly fact sheets, quarterly commentary, distribution and performance information, updated daily fact sheets courtesy of Morningstar^®, portfolio charting and other Fund literature.

Enroll in our email services today and be among the first to receive the latest closed-end fund news, announcements, videos and information. In addition, you can receive electronic versions of important Fund documents including annual reports, semi-annual reports, prospectuses, and proxy statements. Sign up today at cef.aberdeen-asset.us/en/cefinvestorcenter/contact-us/email.

Contact Us:

Yours sincerely,

/s/ Christian Pittard

Christian Pittard

President

Market/economic review

Australian equities fell in U.S. dollar terms over the 12-month period ended October 31, 2018, largely due to substantial depreciation in the Australian dollar and exacerbated by a late-period sell-off in global financial markets. Investor sentiment was shaken by a recurring litany of worries, including the pace of U.S. interest-rate hikes, the widening trade rift between the U.S. and China, as well as moderating economic growth in mainland China, which decelerated to its slowest pace of growth in nearly a decade. Also adding to the risk-aversion was the banking sector, which was buffeted by increasing regulatory scrutiny after the Australian government initiated a Royal Commission to review misconduct in the sector. This could have an impact on future compliance costs and, therefore, weighed heavily on financial-sector stocks. The government initiated a separate Royal Commission into elderly care, which placed the healthcare sector under pressure as well. Relatively mixed corporate results and political upheaval also dented market sentiment over the reporting period.

In economic data, Australia’s second-quarter 2018 gross domestic product (GDP) expanded above consensus forecasts, helped by domestic demand, and in particular, household consumption, as well as improved export numbers. In contrast, business investment was notably non-existent. The unemployment rate decreased 0.4 percentage point to 5.0% over the period. Leading economic indicators for the manufacturing sector in September 2018 (the most recent available data) suggested continued expansion, while those for the services sector improved marginally, signalling softer growth than the long-term average. Also hampering prospects were the decline in property prices, a lack of political clarity and global trade fears. Inflation stagnated in the third quarter of 2018, allowing the Reserve Bank of Australia to maintain its benchmark interest rate at a record low of 1.5%.

In August 2018, an internal rift within the ruling Liberal Party witnessed incumbent Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull ousted by former treasurer Scott Morrison, who was subsequently sworn in as the sixth prime minister in eight years. The ruling Conservative Party subsequently lost its one-seat majority in a special election in October 2018, as voters appeared to blame the new prime minister for the political turmoil and raised the pressure on him to hold snap elections.

Fund performance review

The Fund returned -4.5% on a net asset value basis for the 12-month period ended October 31, 2018, modestly outperforming the -4.8% return of its benchmark, the Standard & Poor’s (S&P)/Australian Stock Exchange Ltd. (ASX) Index 200 Index.

At the stock level, the Fund’s holding in the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX), the primary exchange for stocks and derivatives, contributed to relative performance for the reported period. The company reported generally positive results over the period, driven by higher secondary capital-raisings, increased futures trading, and growth in technical services connections and data feeds. We maintain the Fund’s overweight to ASX relative to the benchmark, as we like its quasi-monopoly in equity securities, its robust market proposition in derivatives and fixed-income securities, as well as its advanced computer systems for both trading and settlement. Fund relative performance also benefited from the position in New Zealand-focused telecommunication services provider Spark New Zealand, which saw its share price rebound during the reporting period. Although there was no company-specific news, bond-yield proxies (i.e., real estate investment trusts, utilities and telecoms) were among the strongest-performing sectors over the reporting period. We maintain our positive view on Spark New Zealand’s domestic dominance in both fixed-line and mobile telecom services, as well as its proven ability to deliver shareholder returns. The Fund’s underweight exposure to National Australia Bank (NAB) relative to the benchmark also bolstered relative performance. The company’s shares moved lower over the period due to poor investor sentiment afflicting the broader financials sector on the back of the Banking Royal Commission’s findings, which have raised governance concerns, as well as fears of a potential shakeout when the Commission’s final report is published in February 2019. We retain the Fund’s underweight to NAB and the overall Australian sector, given these challenges.

Conversely, detractors from Fund performance relative to the benchmark included diversified financial-services company IOOF Holdings Ltd., as its share price fell in tandem with the broader financials sector following the Banking Royal Commission’s findings. We subsequently exited the Fund’s position in IOOF following the end of the reporting period in December 2018, amid concerns about the fitness of the company’s board of directors and the risk of losing licenses. The lack of exposure to Macquarie Group also weighed on Fund relative performance for the reporting period. The diversified financial services company’s shares performed well after it released relatively strong results over the period attributable to healthy growth in its core businesses. We think that this signals Macquarie Group’s ability to deploy excess capital, which in our view should support future earnings growth assuming global events remain conducive. The Fund still has no position in in Macquarie, given its exposure to more volatile earnings streams that include performance fees within its asset-management business, as well as capital market-related activities. Finally, the Fund’s holding in Cochlear Ltd.

also detracted despite the lack of corporate newsflow. The hearing implant specialist’s shares fell in tandem with the broader market during the global sell-off towards the end of the reporting period. We like Cochlear because we believe that it is well placed in a structurally growing market, possesses significant intellectual property, is committed to research and development, has a well-established distribution network, and an embedded relationship with surgeons.

Fund activity

Notable changes to the Fund over the reporting period included exiting the position in AGL Energy Ltd., given its weakening retail-margin outlook and our expectations of declining profitability in the medium term, exacerbated by extreme political pressure ahead of the upcoming federal election in the first half of 2019. We also sold the Fund’s shares in shopping center operator Scentre Group in view of what we believed were more attractive opportunities elsewhere. In contrast, we initiated a position in integrated waste-management and recycling company Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd., which has the largest fleet of service vehicles in Australia. We believe that its revenue growth should broadly mirror the country’s GDP expansion, with operational efficiencies and synergies from its recent acquisition underpinning a higher earnings growth profile. Another new name in the portfolio was Aristocrat Leisure Ltd., a global manufacturer of gaming machines. In our view, management’s commitment to game design and desire to maintain its competitive edge, through consistent and substantial investments, drives its robust operating momentum. The company’s business model has evolved via a deliberate push towards participation games, which lifted recurring revenues and reduced earnings volatility. We are also upbeat about the prospects of its digital-gaming business, which has a good track record. Additionally, we established new positions in industrial property management and development company Goodman Group, as we think that it has high-quality assets and a proven management; and retail property management company Vicinity Centres Ltd., as its shares traded at a discount to book value and, in our opinion, it has the potential to realize considerable value through its asset-optimization process.

Outlook

Looking ahead, while Australian equities may remain supported by expansionary financial conditions, we think that there will be periods of volatility attributable to a persistent raft of investor worries. Chief among these are worsening trade tensions, and moderating growth in China and its knock-on impact on the natural resources sector. Despite these concerns, we believe that global economic growth is likely to remain relatively buoyant in the near term. On the export front, we think that well-run companies that derive the bulk of their earnings from abroad will remain beneficiaries of this global growth. In the natural resources sector, we anticipate ongoing capital expenditure and productivity initiatives to sustain production and contribute to GDP growth. We believe that there will be considerable capital expenditures in the energy sector as well, as several companies that are self-reliant and well-managed should prosper because of their commitment to improving internal efficiencies, either by upgrading their operations through investments in technology and automation, or from cost-savings. In our view, business investment should continue, supported by higher government spending on infrastructure – especially in the Eastern Australia states. We think that domestic risks to this scenario include the implications of an election year, in which industry reviews could hamper Australia-listed companies as well as tighter credit standards in the banking sector that could dampen both the housing market and the construction sector. Nevertheless, we strive to continue to find value within the Australian market. As always, our focus is on accumulating positions in companies that we believe are led by excellent management, with healthy balance sheets and upbeat long-term prospects.

Aberdeen Standard Investments Asia Limited (formerly known as Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited)

1. Organization

Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is a non-diversified closed-end management investment company incorporated in Maryland on September 30, 1985. The Fund’s principal investment objective is long-term capital appreciation through investment primarily in equity securities of Australian companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange Limited (“ASX”). Its secondary objective is current income, which is expected to be derived primarily from dividends and interest on Australian corporate and governmental securities. The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities, consisting of common stock, preferred stock and convertible stock, of companies tied economically to Australia (each an “Australian Company”). This 80% investment policy is a non-fundamental policy of the Fund and may be changed by the Board upon 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders. As a fundamental policy, at least 65% of the Fund’s total assets must be invested in companies listed on the ASX. Aberdeen Standard Investments Australia Limited (formerly known as Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited), the Fund’s investment manager (“ASIAL” or the “Investment Manager”), uses the following criteria in determining if a company is “tied economically” to Australia: whether the company (i) is a constituent of the ASX; (ii) has its headquarters located in Australia, (iii) pays dividends on its stock in Australian Dollars; (iv) has its accounts audited by Australian auditors; (v) is subject to Australian taxes levied by the Australian Taxation Office; (vi) holds its annual general meeting in Australia; (vii) has common stock/ordinary shares and/or other principal class of securities registered with Australian regulatory authorities for sale in Australia; (viii) is incorporated in Australia; or (ix) has a majority of its assets located in Australia or a majority of its revenues are derived from Australian sources. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of income and

expenses for the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. Dollars and the U.S. Dollar is used as both the functional and reporting currency. However, the Australian Dollar is the functional currency for U.S. federal tax purposes.

a. Security Valuation:

The Fund values its securities at current market value or fair value, consistent with regulatory requirements. “Fair value” is defined in the Fund’s Valuation and Liquidity Procedures as the price that could be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants without a compulsion to transact at the measurement date.

In accordance with the authoritative guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures under GAAP, the Fund discloses the fair value of its investments using a three-level hierarchy that classifies the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure the fair value. The hierarchy assigns Level 1, the highest level, measurements to valuations based upon unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets, Level 2 measurements to valuations based upon other significant observable inputs, including adjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets, and Level 3, the lowest level, measurements to valuations based upon unobservable inputs that are significant to the valuation. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk, for example, the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value including a pricing model and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, which are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Equity securities that are traded on an exchange are valued at the last quoted sale price on the principal exchange on which the security is traded at the “Valuation Time” subject to application, when appropriate, of the valuation factors described in the paragraph below. The Valuation Time is as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time). In the absence of a sale price, the security is valued at the mean of the bid/ask price quoted at the close on the principal exchange on which the

security is traded. Securities traded on NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) are valued at the market price of the security at the Valuation Time. A security using any of these pricing methodologies is determined to be a Level 1 investment.

Foreign equity securities that are traded on foreign exchanges that close prior to Valuation Time are valued by applying valuation factors to the last sale price or the mean price as noted above. Valuation factors are provided by an independent pricing service provider approved by the Board of Directors (the “Board”). These valuation factors are used when pricing the Fund’s portfolio holdings to estimate market movements between the time foreign markets close and the time the Fund values such foreign securities. These valuation factors are based on inputs such as depositary receipts, indices, futures, sector indices/ETFs, exchange rates, and local exchange opening and closing prices of each security. When prices with the application of valuation factors are utilized, the value assigned to the foreign securities may not be the same as quoted or published prices of the securities on their primary markets. A security that applies a valuation factor is determined to be a Level 2 investment because the exchange-traded price has been adjusted. Valuation factors are not utilized if the independent pricing service provider is unable to provide a valuation factor or if the valuation factor falls below a predetermined threshold; in such case, the security is determined to be a Level 1 investment.

Short-term investments are comprised of cash and cash equivalents invested in short-term investment funds which are redeemable daily. The Fund sweeps available cash into the State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, which has elected to qualify as a “government money market fund” pursuant to Rule 2a-7 under

the 1940 Act, and has an objective, which is not guaranteed, to maintain a $1.00 per share net asset value. Generally, these investment types are categorized as Level 1 investments.

In the event that a security’s market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable (for reasons other than because the foreign exchange on which they trade closed before the (“Valuation Time”), the security is valued at fair value as determined by the Fund’s Pricing Committee, taking into account the relevant factors and surrounding circumstances using valuation policies and procedures approved and established by the Board. Under normal circumstances, the Valuation Time is as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time). A security that has been fair valued by the Fund’s Pricing Committee may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 depending on the nature of the inputs.

The three-level hierarchy of inputs is summarized below:

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments;

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, and credit risk); or

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of October 31, 2018 in valuing the Fund’s investments at fair value. The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. Please refer to the Portfolio of Investments for a detailed breakout of the security types:

b. Foreign Currency Translation:

Foreign securities, currencies, and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. Dollars at the exchange rate of said currencies against the U.S. Dollar, as of the

Valuation Time, as provided by an independent pricing service approved by the Board.

Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. Dollars on the following basis:

The Fund isolates that portion of the results of operations arising from changes in the foreign exchange rates due to the fluctuations in the market prices of the securities held at the end of the reporting period. Similarly, the Fund isolates the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of portfolio securities sold during the reporting period.

Net exchange gain/(loss) is realized from sales and maturities of portfolio securities, sales of foreign currencies, settlement of securities transactions, dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books. Net unrealized foreign exchange appreciation/(depreciation) includes changes in the value of portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities arising as a result of changes in the exchange rate.

Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of domestic origin, including unanticipated movements in the value of the foreign currency relative to the U.S. Dollar. Generally, when the U.S. Dollar rises in value against foreign currency, the Fund’s investments denominated in that foreign currency will lose value because the foreign currency is worth fewer U.S. Dollars; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. Dollar falls in relative value.

c. Security Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses:

Security transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) from security and currency transactions are calculated on the identified cost basis. Dividend income and corporate actions are recorded generally on the ex-date, except for certain dividends and corporate actions which may be recorded after the ex-date, as soon as a Fund acquires information regarding such dividends or corporate actions. Interest income and expenses are recorded on an accrual basis.

d. Distributions:

The Fund has a managed distribution policy to pay distributions from net investment income supplemented by net realized foreign exchange gains, net realized capital gains and return of capital distributions, if necessary, on a quarterly basis. The managed distribution policy is subject to regular review by the Board. The

Fund will also declare and pay distributions at least annually from net realized gains on investment transactions and net realized foreign exchange gains, if any. Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

Dividends and distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments for foreign currencies, loss deferrals and recognition of market discount and premium.

e. Federal Income Taxes:

The Fund, for U.S. federal income purposes is comprised of a separately identifiable unit called a Qualified Business Unit (“QBUs”) (see section 987 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “IRC”)). The Fund has operated with a QBU for U.S. federal income purposes since 1989. The home office is designated as the United States and the QBU is Australia with a functional currency of the Australian dollar. The securities held within the Fund reside within either the home office of the QBU or the home office depending on certain factors including geographic region of the security. As an example, the majority of the Fund’s Australian securities reside within the Australian QBU. When sold, the Australian dollar denominated securities within the Australian QBU generate capital gain/loss but not currency gain/loss, because the QBU’s functional currency is Australian dollar.

IRC section 987 states that currency gain/loss is generated when money is repatriated from a QBU to the home office. The currency gain/loss would result from the difference between the current exchange rate and the average exchange rate for the year during which money was originally contributed to the QBU from the home office. Based on the QBU structure, there may be sizable differences in the currency gain/loss recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes and what is reported within the financial statements under GAAP. Additionally, the Fund’s composition of the distributions to shareholders is calculated based on U.S. federal income tax requirements whereby currency gain/loss is characterized as income and distributed as such. As of the Fund’s fiscal year-end, the calculation of the composition of distributions to shareholders is finalized and reported in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders.

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a “regulated investment company” by complying with the provisions available to certain investment companies, as defined in Subchapter M of the IRC, and to make distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains sufficient to relieve the Fund from all federal income taxes. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. Since tax authorities can examine previously filed tax returns, the Fund’s U.S.

federal and state tax returns for each of the four fiscal years up to the most recent fiscal year ended October 31 are subject to such review.

f. Foreign Withholding Tax:

Dividend and interest income from non-U.S. sources received by the Fund are generally subject to non-U.S. withholding taxes. In addition, the Fund may be subject to capital gains tax in certain countries in which it invests. The above taxes may be reduced or eliminated under the terms of applicable U.S. income tax treaties with some of these countries. The Fund accrues such taxes when the related income is earned.

In addition, when the Fund sells securities within certain countries in which it invests, the capital gains realized may be subject to tax. Based on these market requirements and as required under GAAP, the Fund accrues deferred capital gains tax on securities currently held that have unrealized appreciation within these countries. The amount of deferred capital gains tax accrued is reported on the Statement of Operations as part of the Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation on Investments.

g. Repurchase Agreements:

The Fund may enter into a repurchase agreement under the terms of a Master Repurchase Agreement. It is the Fund’s policy that its custodian/counterparty segregate the underlying collateral securities, the value of which exceeds the principal amount of the repurchase transaction, including accrued interest. The repurchase price generally equals the price paid by the Fund plus interest negotiated on the basis of current short-term rates. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the collateral is valued on a daily basis to determine its adequacy. If the counterparty to a repurchase agreement defaults and the value of the collateral declines, or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the counterparty of the security, realization of the collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited. Repurchase agreements are subject to contractual netting arrangements with the counterparty, Fixed Income Clearing Corp. To the extent the Fund enters into repurchase agreements, additional information on individual repurchase agreements is included in the Statements of Investments. As of and during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, the Fund did not hold any repurchase agreements.

3. Agreements and Transactions with Affiliates

a. Investment Manager and Investment Adviser:

ASIAL serves as investment manager to the Fund and Aberdeen Standard Investments Australia Limited (formerly known as Aberdeen Asset Management Limited) (the “Investment Adviser”) serves as investment adviser to the Fund, pursuant to a management agreement

and an advisory agreement, respectively. The Investment Manager and the Investment Adviser are indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Standard Life Aberdeen plc (collectively the “Advisers”).

The Investment Manager makes investment decisions on behalf of the Fund on the basis of recommendations and information furnished to it by the Investment Adviser, including the selection of, and responsibility for the placement of orders with, brokers and dealers to execute portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund.

In rendering management services, the Investment Manager may use the resources of advisory subsidiaries of Standard Life Aberdeen plc. These affiliates have entered into a memorandum of understanding/ personnel sharing procedures pursuant to which investment professionals from each affiliate, including the Investment Adviser, may render portfolio management and research services to U.S. clients of the Standard Life Aberdeen plc affiliates, including the Fund, as associated persons of the Investment Manager. No remuneration is paid by the Fund with regards to the memorandum of understanding/personnel sharing procedures.

Pursuant to the management agreement, the Fund pays the Investment Manager a fee, payable monthly by the Fund, at the following annual rates: 1.10% of the Fund’s average weekly Managed Assets up to $50 million, 0.90% of the Fund’s average weekly Managed Assets between $50 million and $100 million and 0.70% of the Fund’s average weekly Managed Assets in excess of $100 million. Managed Assets is defined in the management agreement as net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes. The Investment Adviser is paid by the Investment Manager, and not the Fund, for its services.

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, ASIAL earned $1,302,842 from the Fund for investment management fees.

b. Fund Administration:

Aberdeen Asset Management Inc. (“AAMI”), an affiliate of the Investment Manager and the Investment Adviser, is the Fund’s Administrator, pursuant to an agreement under which AAMI receives a fee, payable monthly by the Fund, at an annual fee rate of 0.08% of the Fund’s average weekly Managed Assets up to $500 million, 0.07% of the Fund’s average weekly Managed Assets between $500 million and $1.5 billion, and 0.06% of the Fund’s average weekly Managed Assets in excess of $1.5 billion. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, AAMI earned $114,610 from the Fund for administration services.

c. Investor Relations:

Under the terms of the Investor Relations Services Agreement, AAMI provides and pays third parties to provide investor relations services

to the Fund and certain other funds advised by ASIAL or its affiliates as part of an Investor Relations Program. Under the Investor Relations Services Agreement, the Fund owes a portion of the fees related to the Investor Relations Program (the “Fund’s Portion”). However, investor relations services fees are capped by AAMI so that the Fund will only pay up to an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets. Any difference between the capped rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets and the Fund’s Portion is paid for by AAMI.

Pursuant to the terms of the Investor Relations Services Agreement, AAMI (or third parties engaged by AAMI), among other things, provides objective and timely information to shareholders based on publicly-available information; provides information efficiently through the use of technology while offering shareholders immediate access to knowledgeable investor relations representatives; develops and maintains effective communications with investment professionals from a wide variety of firms; creates and maintains investor relations communication materials such as fund manager interviews, films and webcasts, published white papers, magazine articles and other relevant materials discussing the Fund’s investment results, portfolio positioning and outlook; develops and maintains effective communications with large institutional shareholders; responds to specific shareholder questions; and reports activities and results to the Board and management detailing insight into general shareholder sentiment.

During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, the Fund incurred investor relations fees of approximately $68,480. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, AAMI did not contribute to the investor relations fees for the Fund because the Fund’s contribution was below 0.05% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets on an annual basis.

4. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term securities) for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, were $49,298,724 and $55,592,481, respectively.

5. Capital

The authorized capital of the Fund is 30 million shares of $0.01 par value per share of common stock. As of October 31, 2018, there were 22,742,326 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

6. Open Market Repurchase Program

On March 1, 2001, the Board approved a stock repurchase program. The Board amended the program on December 12, 2007. The stock repurchase program allows the Fund to repurchase up to 10% of its outstanding common stock in the open market during any 12-month period. The Fund reports repurchase activity on the Fund’s website

on a monthly basis. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018 and fiscal year ended October 31, 2017, the Fund did not repurchase any shares through this program.

7. Portfolio Investment Risks

a. Risks Associated with Foreign Securities and Currencies

Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of U.S. issuers. These risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, and political or social instability or diplomatic developments, which could adversely affect investments in those countries.

Certain countries also may impose substantial restrictions on investments in their capital markets by foreign entities, including restrictions on investments in issuers in industries deemed sensitive to relevant national interests. These factors may limit the investment opportunities available and result in a lack of liquidity and high price volatility with respect to securities of issuers from developing countries. Foreign securities may also be harder to price than U.S. securities.

The value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. Dollar fluctuates in response to market, economic, political, regulatory, geopolitical or other conditions. A decline in the value of a foreign currency versus the U.S. Dollar reduces the value in U.S. Dollars of investments denominated in that foreign currency. This risk may impact the Fund more greatly to the extent the Fund does not hedge its currency risk, or hedging techniques used by the Adviser are unsuccessful.

b. Focus Risk

The Fund may have elements of risk not typically associated with investments in the United States due to focused investments in a limited number of countries or regions subject to foreign securities or currency risks. Such focused investments may subject the Fund to additional risks resulting from political or economic conditions in such countries or regions and the possible imposition of adverse governmental laws or currency exchange restrictions could cause the securities and their markets to be less liquid and their prices to be more volatile than those of comparable U.S. securities.

c. Sector Risk

To the extent that the Fund has a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business in a broadly related group of industries within an economic sector, the Fund may

be more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that economic sector than funds that invest more broadly.

In particular, being invested heavily in the financial sector may make the Fund vulnerable to risks and pressures facing companies in that sector, such as regulatory, consolidation, interest rate changes and general economic conditions.

8. Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Fund may provide general indemnifications pursuant to certain contracts and organizational documents. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund, and therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of loss from such claims is considered remote.

10. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On August 17, 2018, the SEC voted to adopt amendments to certain of its disclosure requirements that have become redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated, or superseded, in light of other SEC disclosure requirements, U.S. GAAP, or changes in the information environment. The SEC will also be referring certain SEC disclosure requirements that overlap with, but require information incremental to, U.S. GAAP to the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) for potential incorporation into U.S. GAAP. The amendments are intended to facilitate the disclosure of information to investors and simplify compliance without significantly altering the total mix of information provided to investors. The amendments became effective November 5, 2018.

On August 28, 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 includes removals, additions and modifications to the disclosure Requirements for fair value measurements that are intended to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to financial statements. The amendments in ASU 2018-13 are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim

periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. An entity is permitted to early adopt any removed or modified disclosures upon issuance of this ASU and delay adoption of the additional disclosures until their effective date. Aberdeen has evaluated ASU 2018-13 and determined that there is no significant impact on the Fund’s financial statements. Aberdeen has early adopted the following ASU 2018-13 guidance in the Fund’s financial statements pertaining to the removal of (i) the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and (ii) the policy for timing of transfers between levels.

11. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated the need for disclosures and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued. Based on this evaluation, no disclosures and/or adjustments were required to the financial statements as of October 31, 2018 other than as follows.

On December 11, 2018, the Fund announced that it will pay on January 10, 2019 a distribution of $0.15 per share to all shareholders of record as of December 31, 2018.

Board of Directors’ Consideration of Management and Advisory Agreements

At an in-person meeting of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Inc. (“IAF” or the “Fund”) held on September 6, 2018, the Board, including a majority of the Directors who are not considered to be “interested persons” of the Fund (the “Independent Directors”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), approved for an annual period the continuation of the Fund’s management agreement with Aberdeen Standard Investments (Asia) Limited (formerly Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited) (the “Investment Manager”) and the investment advisory agreement among the Fund, the Investment Manager and Aberdeen Asset Management Limited (the “Investment Adviser”). The Investment Manager and the Investment Adviser are referred to collectively herein as the “Advisers” and the aforementioned agreements with the Advisers are referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.” The Investment Adviser is an affiliate of the Investment Manager.

In connection with their consideration of whether to approve the renewal of the Fund’s Advisory Agreements, the Board received and reviewed a variety of information provided by the Advisers relating to the Fund, the Advisory Agreements and the Advisers, including fee and expense information, comparative performance and other information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Advisers under their respective Advisory Agreements. The materials provided to the Board generally included, among other

items: (i) information on the Fund’s advisory fees and other expenses, including information comparing the Fund’s expenses to those of a peer group of funds and information about any applicable expense limitations and fee “breakpoints”; (ii) information on the investment performance of the Fund and the performance of peer groups of funds and the Fund’s performance benchmark; (iii) information about the profitability of the Advisory Agreements to the Advisers; (iv) a report prepared by the Advisers in response to a request submitted by the Independent Directors’ independent legal counsel on behalf of such Directors; (v) sales and redemption data with respect to the Fund; and (vi) a memorandum from the Independent Directors’ independent legal counsel on the responsibilities of the Board in considering for approval the investment advisory arrangements under the 1940 Act and Maryland law. The Board, including the Fund’s Independent Directors, also considered other matters such as: (i) the Fund’s investment objective and strategies; (ii) the Advisers’ investment personnel and operations; (iii) the Advisers’ financial results and financial condition; (iv) the procedures employed to value the Fund’s assets; (v) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions, policies on personal securities transactions and other compliance policies (vi) the allocation of the Fund’s brokerage, if any, including, if applicable, allocations to brokers affiliated with the Advisers and the use, if any, of “soft” commission dollars to pay Fund expenses and to pay for research and other similar services; and (vii) possible conflicts of interest.

Throughout the process, the Board had the opportunity to ask questions of and request additional materials from the Advisers.

In addition to the materials requested by the Directors in connection with their annual consideration of the continuation of the Advisory Agreements, the Directors received and reviewed materials in advance of each regular quarterly meeting of the Board that contained information about the Fund’s investment performance and information relating to the services provided by the Advisers.

The Independent Directors were advised by separate independent legal counsel throughout the process and consulted in executive sessions with their independent legal counsel regarding their consideration of the renewal of the Advisory Agreements. The Directors also considered the recommendation of the Board’s Contract Review Committee, which consists solely of the Board’s Independent Directors, that the Advisory Agreements be renewed. In considering whether to approve the continuation of the Advisory Agreements, the Board, including the Independent Directors, did not identify any single factor as determinative. Individual Directors may have evaluated the information presented differently from one another, giving different weights to various factors. Matters considered by the Board, including the Independent Directors, in connection with its approval of the continuation of the Advisory Agreements included the factors listed below.

Investment performance of the Fund and the Advisers.  The Board received and reviewed with management, among other performance data, information that compared the Fund’s return to comparable investment companies focused on non-U.S. regions included in its Lipper category. The Board also received and considered performance information compiled by Strategic Insight Mutual Fund Research and Consulting, LLC (“SI”), an independent third-party provider of investment company data as to the Fund’s total return, as compared with the funds in the Fund’s Morningstar category (the “Morningstar Group”). In addition, the Board received and considered information for each of the last five fiscal years regarding the Fund’s total return on a gross and net basis and relative to the Fund’s benchmark, the impact of foreign currency movements on the Fund’s performance and the Fund’s share performance and premium/discount information. The Board also received and reviewed information on the Fund’s total return for each of the last five fiscal years as compared with the total returns of its Morningstar Group average, and other comparable Aberdeen-managed funds. The Directors considered management’s discussion of the factors contributing to differences in performance, including differences in the investment strategies of each of these other funds and accounts. Additionally, the Board took into account information about the Fund’s discount/

premium ranking relative to its Morningstar Group and considered management’s discussion of the Fund’s performance.

The Board also considered the Advisers’ performance and reputation generally, the historical responsiveness of the Investment Manager to Director concerns about performance and the willingness of the Advisers to take steps intended to improve performance.

Fees and expenses.  The Board reviewed with management the effective annual management fee rate paid by the Fund to the Investment Manager for investment management services. The Board also received and considered information compiled at the request of the Fund by SI that compared the Fund’s effective annual management fee rate with the fees paid by a peer group consisting of other comparable closed-end funds (each such group, a “Peer Group”). The Directors took into account the management fee structure, including that management fees for the Fund were based on the Fund’s total managed assets. The Board considered that the compensation paid to the Investment Adviser was paid by the Investment Manager, and, accordingly that the retention of the Investment Adviser did not increase the fees or expenses otherwise incurred by the Fund’s shareholders. The Directors also considered information from management about the fees charged by the Advisers to other U.S. clients investing primarily in an asset class similar to that of the Fund. The Board reviewed and considered additional information about the Investment Adviser’s fees, including the amount of the management fees retained by the Investment Manager after payment of the advisory fees. The Board considered the fee comparisons in light of the differences in resources and costs required to manage the different types of accounts.

The Board also took into account management’s discussion of the Fund’s expenses, including the factors that impacted the Fund’s expenses.

Economies of Scale.  The Board considered management’s discussion of the Fund’s management fee structure and determined that the management fee structure was reasonable. The Board based this determination on various factors, including that how the Fund’s management fee compared to its Peer Group at higher asset levels and that the Fund’s management agreement provides breakpoints at higher asset levels.

The nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreements.  The Board considered, among other things, the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Advisers to the Fund and the resources dedicated to the Fund by the Advisers. The Board also considered the background and experience of the Advisers’ senior management personnel and the qualifications,

background and responsibilities of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management services for the Fund. The Directors took into account the Advisers’ investment experience and considered the allocation of responsibilities between the Advisers. The Board also considered information regarding the Advisers’ compliance with applicable laws and SEC and other regulatory inquiries or audits of the Fund and the Advisers. The Board also considered the Advisers’ risk management processes. The Board considered that they received information on a regular basis from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer regarding the Advisers’ compliance policies and procedures and considered the Advisers’ brokerage policies and practices. Management reported to the Board on, among other things, its business plans and organizational changes. The Directors took into account their knowledge of management and the quality of the performance of management’s duties through Board meetings, discussion and reports during the preceding year.

After reviewing these and related factors, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided supported the renewal of the Advisory Agreements.

The Directors also considered other factors, which included but were not limited to the following:

* * *

Based on their evaluation of all factors that they deemed to be material, including those factors described above, and assisted by the advice of independent counsel, the Directors, including the Independent Directors, concluded that renewal of the Advisory Agreements would be in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders. Accordingly, the Board, including the Board’s Independent Directors voting separately, approved the Fund’s Advisory Agreements for an additional one-year period.