2023-24 total Australian ODA [budget estimate]

$840.8 million

2022-23 total Australian ODA [budget estimate]

$917.1 million

2021-22 total Australian ODA [actual]

$1,020.4 million

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed critical gaps in national health systems and also global health security.

As health systems in the region recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are supporting partner governments in their efforts to return to the delivery of key health services. This includes immunisation against measles and polio, prevention and treatments for diseases like malaria and tuberculosis, safe maternal healthcare, access to family planning and care for people living with chronic diseases. We are also continuing to support global efforts to ensure the world is better prepared to prevent and manage future disease outbreaks.

How we are helping

Australia is responding to the needs and priorities of our region to strengthen systems to better prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks and health emergencies; and improve equitable access to quality essential health services by progressing universal health coverage.

We are supporting our neighbours to protect the health and wellbeing of women and girls by expanding access to quality sexual and reproductive health services, and expanding our assistance for non-communicable disease prevention and control.

We work at country, regional, and global levels and partner with multilateral organisations to extend our reach, including the World Health Organization; Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria; Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; and Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

How we contribute

In making health investments, Australia works at country, regional and global levels and supports health research and innovation.

Our investments in health are context-specific, aligned to partner countries' priorities, results-focussed and based on Australia's comparative advantage. Our core priority is to support partner countries to achieve the best possible health outcomes, through strengthened health policies, strategies and financing.  We are responsive to partner countries’ needs and provide direct funding support, offer technical assistance and work with others, such as multilateral organisations and funds, who bring technical expertise and economies of scale, for example to secure better prices on key health commodities.

Bilateral programs: priority countries include PNG, Solomon Islands, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, Cambodia and other small island states in the Pacific.

Regional programs: includes Partnerships for a Healthy Region, the World Bank Group: ‘Advance UHC’ trust fund and the Indo-Pacific Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights COVID-19 Surge Response.

Global programs: Australia partners with key multilateral organisations and global health initiatives to extend our reach and impact including:

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• The Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria
• Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
• UNAIDS
• The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
• Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI)
• The World Bank Group
• UNICEF
• International Planned Parenthood Federation
• Bloomberg Philanthropies Data for Health

Investments in improved access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and nutrition

Inadequate access to WASH services contributes to the spread of disease and lost productivity through illness. We focus on improving access to WASH in households, schools and health centres, including by improving governance and regulatory frameworks and by mobilising private sector investment. Read more about Australia's support for water, sanitation and hygiene. We also invest in better nutrition as this lays the foundation for healthy and productive lives, recognising that the causes of poor nutrition are multiple and complex and require multi-sectoral responses.